A rendering of the new Queensboro FC stadium that will be built at York College (Provided by Queensboro FC)
April 27, 2021 By Michael Dorgan
Queens’ first-ever professional soccer franchise has a new home.
Queensboro FC announced Tuesday that it will build a new 7,500 seat stadium at York College in Jamaica, where the first team will play its home games in its inaugural 2022 season and beyond.
The club said it was entering into a partnership with the university to construct the new stadium on the Jamaica campus. York College is part of the City University of New York system.
The stadium will be built near the corner of 160th Street and Tuskegee Airmen Way with construction expected to begin over the summer. Queensboro FC released a rendering of the new stadium today.
“Today is an exciting day for Queensboro FC,” franchise owner Jonathan Krane said at a press briefing at the campus this morning. “We are proud to deliver our Queensboro FC fans a dedicated soccer-specific venue, built by and for the Queens community, bringing us all together to celebrate the beautiful game.”
The new stadium will host Queensboro FC’s home games when it debuts in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship in the spring of 2022. USL is the second tier of men’s professional soccer in the United States with Major League Soccer (MLS) being the top. Spanish coach Josep Gombau will manage the Queensboro FC first team.
Queensboro FC will be the first professional sports team in New York City to construct a stadium expressly for soccer.
The city has two other soccer franchises – New York City Football Club and New York Red Bulls – which play in the MLS.
New York City Football Club plays its home games at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, which is primarily a baseball stadium. New York Red Bulls plays its home games at the Red Bull Arena which is a soccer-specific stadium located in New Jersey.
The new sports ground is being designed by Populous, a global architecture firm that also designed the Citi Field stadium in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. The new arena will have a synthetic turf playing surface that will be able to host games and practice sessions in most weather conditions.
Officials said the stadium will also be used for entertainment and community events.
This is a place we all can call #OurHome ?? @CUNY @YorkCollegeCUNY #ForeverQueens pic.twitter.com/jughcwcoHJ
— Queensboro FC (@QueensboroFC) April 27, 2021
Under the partnership, Queensboro FC will operate the stadium on the campus and it will also serve as the venue for York College’s commencement, CUNY Athletic Conference tournament games and other university events.
The club and university will also develop class curriculum together on subjects like health, wellness and sports education. They will also conduct joint seminars, clinics, and internships for local youths.
Berenecea Johnson Eanes, the president of York College, said at the press briefing this morning that the partnership will be of benefit to the entire borough.
“We believe [Queensboro FC’s] contributions as a community-led sporting organization will greatly advance our facilities, our campus experience, and our neighborhoods.
“This project will showcase the importance of private and public sectors coming together, and working together, to celebrate diversity and bridge communities.”
Other officials in attendance at the press briefing included Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, U.S. Congressman Gregory Meeks, Council Members Francisco Moya, Adrienne Adams and Daneek Miller.
Richards said that the new stadium will be a place for all residents to come and support the borough’s new soccer team.
“Queens is the home for sports from baseball to tennis, and now we are proud to add soccer to the mix,” Richards said.
“I am thrilled Queensboro FC will have York College to call home, and can’t wait for Queens families to enjoy soccer games once the stadium is completed.”
VAMOS #QBFC ?
The Borough’s Best, together, making today possible!@YorkCollegeCUNY @AdrienneEAdams1 @RepGregoryMeeks @jkrane68 @QnsBPRichards @IDaneekMiller @FranciscoMoyaNY @ChancellorCUNY #OurHome #ForeverQueens pic.twitter.com/QU8I2gf9Px— Queensboro FC (@QueensboroFC) April 27, 2021
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Why not in LIC?