New York City Football Club (NYCFC) announced plans for the first fully electric stadium in MLS, in addition to being the first fully electric professional sports stadium in New York City, as the team updated a Queens community board on the proposed Willets Point facility.
The update on the 25,000-seat stadium and the plan to build the first fully electric stadium came as the Willets Point Phase 2 project, which includes the stadium and associated development, formally enters the Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP). That project, which we covered here, includes the NYCFC MLS stadium set for a 2027 opening, a total of 2,500 units of affordable housing at the site, as well as a 650-seat public school, 40,000 square feet of new public open space, retail space and a 250-key hotel, all next to Citi Field, home of the New York Mets.
As part of NYCFC’s sustainability plan, the design and building of the stadium will focus on the following, according to NYCFC:
Renewable Energy
The stadium will be all-electric, with an array of solar panels installed on the stadium roof, which will maximize energy generation. Built-in efficiency will ensure that intelligent systems eliminate energy waste.
An emergency backup generator will be provided and only operate during a utility power outage or when code required testing is performed.
Efficient Water Systems
A water harvesting system below the stadium field will capture rainwater and re-use this for irrigation. Water efficient systems, including dry urinals, proximity-controlled taps and reduced water mix taps and shower heads will help to reduce unnecessary consumption.
Materials
Materials, fixtures and fittings for the stadium will wherever possible be locally sourced to avoid substantial transportation impact on the environment. Furthermore, the Club is focused on construction that will promote efficient insulation and natural venting.
Public Transportation
To reduce environmental impact, the Willets Point stadium project is committed to delivering effective means to reach the stadium through public transportation. NYCFC is building on its relationship with MTA that started nearly a decade ago to continue to ensure accessible and affordable public transport options. Additionally, the Club will work closely with supporters groups, fans and local community groups to maximize the benefits of local public commuting, to discourage driving to matches and therefore reducing congestion and pollution.
Waste Reduction, Reuse and Recycling
The Club is committed to reducing all waste at source. Fans will have easy access to drinking water refills throughout the stadium. The stadium will explore options for on-site composting of waste for local benefit. The Club is committed to reducing waste that goes to landfill.
Through the stadium project, the Club will work proactively with suppliers to ensure that there is a supply chain approach to its sustainability agenda, often working with small, local suppliers to improve and uplift their own related sustainability agendas, therefore improving the local community further.
Emissions Measurement
NYCFC is measuring all actions and emissions authentically and transparently, in line with national and local regulations. As part of the stadium project, the Club is focused on reducing CO2 emissions and working for credible net zero by 2040. The Club will also establish its year one benchmark with the aim to achieve continual reductions of at least 12% each year in its operations and events.
Compliance
NYCFC will ensure that there is full compliance and alignment with all local laws and regulations in relation to sustainability. Those include meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as well as City Football Group’s global sustainability agenda. The Club will continue to review and develop the sustainability plan for the stadium project so that it creates the best opportunities, remains viable and locally relevant.
“I’m proud that New York City will be home to the first fully electric sports stadium in Major League Soccer,” said Mayor Eric Adams via press release. “It’s imperative that we continue our shift to a more sustainable and resilient future, helping New York to better prepare for a changing climate. As a city, we’re reshaping our relationship with energy: how we generate, store and use it. New York City Football Club’s stadium will serve as a model for that goal. New York City has taken significant steps to become more sustainable, resilient and equitable, and this proposed stadium encompasses those commitments.”
“New York City Football Club is proud to release details of what would be a historic first-ever fully electric professional sports stadium for both MLS and New York City,” said NYCFC CEO Brad Sims via press release. “Sustainability is at the heart of this project and we’re focused on ensuring that the Club is leading the way when it comes to reducing environmental impact. We’re committed to building a stadium that serves as a model for projects in the future. Through renewable energy, the use of efficient materials, waste reduction and effective compliance, we’re excited to deliver a sustainable home for the Cluband local community for decades to come.”
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