Harrison, NJ – NJ/NY Gotham FC, the National Women’s Soccer League club co-owned by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy, has officially announced it will relocate its home matches from New Jersey to New York City beginning with the 2028 season.
Shore News Network has been reporting on the speculated move for months, but the team remained silent until this week, confirming our previous reports.
The reigning NWSL champions will play at Etihad Park, a new 25,000-seat soccer-specific stadium under construction in Queens next to Citi Field. Until the venue opens, Gotham FC will continue playing home matches at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison.
Murphy-owned club leaves New Jersey
The move marks a significant shift for the franchise, which traces its roots to New Jersey as Sky Blue FC and has played its home matches in the Garden State for years.
While the club emphasized that its new training facility in Whippany will remain in New Jersey, beginning in 2028 all regular-season home matches will be played in New York City.
“From day one, our ambition has been bigger than championships,” said Gotham FC Governor Carolyn Tisch Blodgett. “We are building one of the world’s most iconic clubs and helping define the future of women’s sports.”
The ownership group includes founding owners former NJ Gov. Phil Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and former Bed Bath & Beyond CEO Steven H. Temares, along with lead owner Carolyn Tisch Blodgett and other investors.
New York leaders celebrate the move
New York officials quickly embraced the announcement.
Gov. Kathy Hochul called Gotham FC “New York State’s premier women’s soccer team” and said the move would give players and fans “the world-class experience they deserve.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said bringing Gotham FC to Queens would inspire young athletes and boost local businesses.
“Now the next electrifying chapter of that story will be written in New York City,” Mamdani said.
New stadium offers dedicated home
Etihad Park will become New York City’s first soccer-specific stadium when it opens in 2027. Gotham FC will move in the following season with dedicated locker rooms, club-branded retail space, and customized game-day experiences.
Club officials said the Queens location will place more than 3 million additional people within a 75-minute commute using the MTA subway, bus system, and Long Island Rail Road.
The stadium is expected to host New York City FC, Gotham FC, international soccer matches, Olympic soccer competitions in 2028, concerts, and other major sporting events.
New Jersey training facility remains
Although games are moving to Queens, Gotham FC reaffirmed plans announced last month to develop a 27,000-square-foot high-performance training center in Whippany. Renovations are expected to begin later this summer.
The club said the investment reflects its continued commitment to New Jersey even as its matchday operations shift across the Hudson River.
Related: Gotham FC, Phil Murphy, Tammy Murphy, New Jersey soccer, Queens
Gotham FC will continue playing its home schedule in Harrison through the 2027 season before opening play at Etihad Park in Queens in 2028.
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