An artist's impression of New York City's Etihad Park stadium. SUPPLIED

Etihad Airways has secured the exclusive naming rights for New York City’s first football stadium, which will be called Etihad Park. The 20-year deal with New York City FC marks a new chapter in the UAE carrier’s longstanding partnership with the club, which began in 2014. Set to open in time for the 2027 Major League Soccer (MLS) season, Etihad Park will be located in the Willets Point area of Queens, New York. This new football-specific stadium is part of a larger $6.1 billion redevelopment project that aims to transform the area into a thriving neighborhood with 2,500 affordable housing units, a 650-seat public school, a hotel, and more than 150,000 square feet of public open space. Brad Sims, CEO of New York City FC, called the deal historic for both the club and the city. "Etihad Airways has been a fantastic partner for over a decade, and we are thrilled to be making this announcement today," Sims said. "Etihad Park will not only be a home for New York City FC but also a community hub for sports, entertainment, and cultural events." The state-of-the-art stadium will be the first fully electric sports venue in New York City and in all of MLS, positioning it as a model for sustainable sports infrastructure. Seating 25,000 spectators, Etihad Park will provide a modern space for fans, making it a landmark destination in the city. Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, expressed his enthusiasm for the sponsorship. "We are delighted to sponsor the naming rights of this fantastic venue," Neves said. "Etihad Airways has supported New York City FC since the club's inception, and this milestone further solidifies our partnership." The Willets Point redevelopment also promises to generate substantial economic activity, creating thousands of jobs in both construction and permanent positions. With the backing of New York City’s local government, the project has been welcomed as a transformative step for the borough of Queens. ICA/Expat Media
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