“This is an historic announcement for New York City FC, Etihad Airways, and New York City. Etihad Airways has been a fantastic partner to the Club for over a decade, and we are proud to call Etihad Park the home of our great Club,” said Brad Sims, CEO, New York City FC. “For over a decade, we have been investing in New York with a vision of building the city into one of the soccer capitals of the world. Etihad Airways has been alongside us every step of the way and we’re thrilled to be making this announcement with them. Etihad Park will be the physical evidence of our deep and longstanding investment in New York City and will become a cathedral of soccer in the United States.”

 Antonoaldo Neves, CEO, Etihad Airways, said, “We are delighted to sponsor the naming rights of this fantastic venue, which I am sure will become a landmark sports destination in the US. We have been backing New York City FC since the start, in 2014, and this marks the latest chapter in our support for the Club. Our values as an airline align perfectly with New York City FC and their commitment to New York City, through promoting soccer in the local neighbourhoods and providing spaces for everyone to play.”

 Etihad has been with New York City FC from the Club’s beginning, expanding their partnership over the past decade. In 2014, Etihad Airways started as a principal and founding partner of New York City FC and became the front-of-shirt partner for the Club’s First Team and Boys Academy.

 The stadium will also be part of a new, 23-acre neighbourhood at Willets Point, Queens, which will feature 2,500 new affordable housing units, a new 650-seat public school, a brand-new hotel, and more than 150,000 square feet of public open space. The Willets Point redevelopment project is estimated to generate USD6.1 billion in economic activity, create 1,550 permanent jobs, and 14,200 construction jobs.