New York City FC (NYCFC) today has unveiled its new first-team training facility, Etihad City Football Academy in New York. This will be the third Academy built across the globe by the Club’s majority owners, City Football Group (CFG), and brings a best-in-class approach to infrastructure and a global network of soccer expertise to New York City. Marking the Group’s first permanent training complex in the United States, the Academy features leading medical and sports science facilities to drive elite performance. The new Etihad City Football Academy in NY represents a further landmark of the Club’s long-term and sustainable commitment to MLS and U.S. soccer.
It was also announced today that Etihad Airways will be the Club’s naming partner of the new training facility. Etihad Airways has been with NYCFC from the beginning as a principal and founding partner and is an extension of the airline’s significant relationships with sister Clubs, Premier League champions, Manchester City and Melbourne City FC in the A-League. This is the next chapter in the partnership and will see Etihad Airways and NYCFC continue to support the growth of soccer, the world’s biggest and favorite sport, here in the U.S.
To celebrate the formal unveiling of the Etihad City Football Academy in NY, members of the New York soccer community, local government and media came together for an official tour of the facility and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Throughout the season, NYCFC will be hosting a series of fan events at the training facility. The first fan event will take place within 48-hours of today’s ribbon cutting, to invite NYCFC fans to the facility to watch training sessions and experience the Club’s new home.
Speaking about the unveiling of the newest Etihad City Football Academy, Vice-Chairman of NYCFC, Marty Edelman, said:
“This is a proud and important milestone for our Group and Club. Not only is this facility evidence of our deep investment in global soccer, it also shows our Club’s and owners’ long-term commitment to New York City and the Metropolitan Area.”
The Etihad City Football Academy in NY was designed, built and is now operated in a manner consistent with CFG’s approach to infrastructure and proven best practice. The facility shares design elements and functionality with the first two City Football Academies in Manchester and Melbourne and was also designed by the same NY-based architect, Rafael Viñoly.
At its core, everything is built around the soccer pitch and the players’ functional needs to help them prepare to win. Each interior specialty function – including the circular locker room, communal dining hall, professional kitchen with onsite chef specialist, medical treatment rooms, and gym – are positioned and designed so players can perform at their best on the pitch.
The training pitch tablet is usable year-round due to undersoil heating capability. The pitch has been designed and constructed to create the ideal playing surface where the ball moves consistently and quickly.
NYCFC sister Club, Manchester City FC, will train at the Etihad City Football Academy in NY during their pre-season summer tour in the U.S.
NYCFC Sporting Director, Claudio Reyna, discussed the new facility from a Sporting perspective:
“It’s incredible to have built a facility that will attract the best talent and provide our players and coaches with an inspiring setting to work and prepare.
“We wanted to create a family environment where everyone feels part of the team. We are proud to call the Etihad City Football Academy in NY our permanent home.”
NYCFC and the other CFG teams share the same values and take the same approach to local infrastructure projects. Following soccer excellence, the priorities are community engagement and regeneration.
NYCFC is deeply committed to serving its local community. Orangeburg is well-known as a community that embraces soccer and NYCFC has had a presence in the area through a partnership with World Class FC where the NYCFC Girls Academy is based. After sitting vacant and unused for more than a decade, the 17-acre site will now come to life.
The project created 210 construction jobs, 60% of which are located within 30 miles of the facility. In addition, 35 contracts were awarded to local companies and NYCFC donated $250,000 to the town to put towards infrastructure.
NYCFC President, Jon Patricof, continued:
“This is an incredibly exciting moment for our Club. Our hope is that this new facility will be a hub for soccer expertise and the soccer community in New York.
“I would also like to thank Etihad Airways for the continued support. We are continuing to work together to constantly improve and innovate around the resources we provide players as well as the experience we bring our incredible fans and supporters of the Club.”
Vice President Marketing Partnerships at Etihad Airways, Patrick Pierce, said:
“We are delighted to unveil the Etihad City Football Academy. This world-class facility will serve as a center for innovation and talent development, two areas of importance for both New York City FC and Etihad Airways. We look forward to supporting the academy’s contribution to Major League Soccer and the New York community for years to come.”
