New York City FC

What New York City FC does

New York City FC is a privately held professional men's soccer club competing in Major League Soccer, founded in 2013 and operational since the 2015 season. The club fields a First Team in MLS, a reserve side (NYCFC II) in MLS NEXT Pro, and an Academy pipeline for U12–U18 players, operating as the New York franchise within City Football Group's 13-club global network (Manchester City, Melbourne City, Girona, Yokohama F. Marinos and others). Home matches are currently staged at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, with the club constructing Etihad Park at Willets Point in Queens — a $780M soccer-specific venue scheduled to open in 2027 and billed as the first purpose-built soccer stadium in New York City.

The club's product surface spans live match entertainment, broadcast content distributed globally via the Apple TV MLS Season Pass, official merchandise sold through the MLS Store and partner adidas, a year-round NYCFC Youth Programs division (camps, clinics, talent centers), and the 501(c)(3) City in the Community (CITC) foundation delivering free programming, mini-pitch installations, and youth leadership initiatives across the five boroughs. The mobile app integrates ticketing, partner rewards (e.g., Pollo Campero sweepstakes), and fan engagement features, but no AI/ML core is documented.

NYCFC monetizes through four primary revenue streams: City Membership season tickets (subscription, annual billing) and single-match tickets; corporate sponsorships with Etihad Airways (naming partner for Etihad Park), adidas (kit/apparel), Ford, Verizon, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Pollo Campero, and Visit Tampa Bay; merchandise and apparel; and league-distributed broadcasting rights from the MLS–Apple TV deal. The go-to-market model is direct-to-consumer for fans (website/app/stadium box office) supplemented by B2B partnership monetization, with ownership backing from City Football Group enabling long-dated infrastructure commitments despite private financial non-disclosure.

Name

New York City FC

Legal name

New York City Football Club, LLC

Website

https://newyorkcityfc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

New York City FC is a privately held MLS soccer club serving New York City soccer fans and corporate sponsors, owned by City Football Group. The club operates the First Team, NYCFC II, an Academy, the CITC foundation, and is building Etihad Park, opening 2027.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Soccer / Sports Entertainment

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Spectator Sports (71121)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Association Football (Soccer) Leagues (MPAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Professional & Major League Stadiums (MPAKAEAA), Team Sports Matches (Club & National) (MPAGAMAB), League/Team-Owned Digital Broadcast Networks (MPAKAOAC)

Keywords

• Professional soccer
• MLS soccer club
• Soccer match tickets
• Soccer merchandise
• Youth soccer development

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from season ticket memberships (City Membership) and single-match ticket sales for home games at Yankee Stadium
2. Sponsorship & Partnerships: Corporate sponsorship deals with brands including Pollo Campero, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Ford, Etihad Airways, Verizon, and adidas
3. Merchandise & Apparel: Sale of official club merchandise including jerseys and apparel through the MLS store and in-stadium shops
4. Broadcasting Rights: MLS broadcasting deal with Apple TV provides revenue distribution to clubs including NYCFC; matches streamed exclusively on Apple TV in over 100 countries

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

New York City FC operates a professional men's soccer franchise that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS), fielding a First Team, an MLS NEXT Pro reserve side (NYCFC II), and a youth Academy. The club generates revenue by selling match tickets and season memberships, merchandise, youth player development programs, and community outreach through the City in the Community Foundation, and it is constructing Etihad Park as its first soccer-specific stadium.

Product overview

New York City FC operates as a single-unified club with multiple interconnected programs. The core offering is the First Team competing in MLS, supported by NYCFC II (reserve team in MLS Next Pro) and a comprehensive Academy system with age-group teams. The club extends its reach through Youth Programs offering camps, clinics, and talent development for community members, while City in the Community (CITC) serves as the charitable foundation delivering social impact programs. The club is building Etihad Park, a dedicated soccer stadium opening in 2027.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NYCFC First Team (MLS) The club's flagship men's professional soccer team that competes in Major League Soccer, selling match tickets, season memberships, and broadcast rights to fans and partners in the New York City market.
• NYCFC II Reserve team competing in MLS NEXT Pro that develops players for the First Team and provides a competitive professional pathway for top Academy graduates.
• NFCFC Academy Elite youth soccer development program that trains and develops pre-professional players, feeding talent into NYCFC II and the First Team.
• City in the Community Foundation (CITC) Charitable arm of NYCFC that runs free soccer, education, health, and employability programs for young people across the five boroughs of New York City.
• NFCFC Match Tickets and Season Memberships Single-match tickets and multi-tier season membership packages that grant access to NYCFC MLS home matches, sold directly to fans.
• NFCFC Branded Merchandise Officially licensed NYCFC kits, training wear, and fan apparel sold through the club store and MLS retail channels to supporters and the general public.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300 youth from 30 neighborhoods participated in NYCSI Community Cup
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.

• Jameson Irish WhiskeyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 May 2026Jameson Irish Whiskey, owned by Pernod Ricard, launched It's What You Bring campaign marking its second year as official whiskey of Major League Soccer, coinciding with the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Campaign includes collaborations with musician J Balvin and streetwear brand KidSuper, featuring limited-edition capsule collection and branded bottles tied to four MLS clubs including NYCFC.
• Pollo CamperominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 April 2026Season-long promotional campaign featuring ticket sweepstakes, app-based rewards, and in-stadium activations for fans in New York and New Jersey. Promotion tied to NYCFC game-day wins runs through December 31, 2026. Eligible app users receive free food rewards after each regular-season or postseason victory.
• Visit Tampa BayminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 January 2026Official tourism partner partnership launched during NYCFC's preseason training at Waters Sportsplex in Tampa. Grants Visit Tampa Bay visibility across NYCFC's digital platforms and in-stadium activations, enabling tourism marketing to the club's fanbase. Partnership reinforces Tampa Bay's visibility ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• Etihad AirwaysmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerEtihad Airways is the primary airline partner of NYCFC and naming sponsor of the future Etihad Park stadium at Willets Point. Etihad has prominent visibility across club digital platforms, stadium branding, and travel partnerships.
• Ford Motor CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFord is an official automotive partner of NYCFC, featured in the club's partner logo section with visibility across digital and in-stadium assets.
• adidasmajorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partneradidas is the official kit and apparel partner of NYCFC, providing all official club jerseys, training gear, and merchandise products. Long-term partnership includes exclusive product collaborations.
• Gotham FCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGotham FC, reigning NWSL champions, is in discussions with NYCFC about moving into the MLS team's future $780 million Etihad Park stadium at Willets Point beginning in 2028. Potential relocation aims to address Gotham's scheduling conflicts as a secondary tenant.
• Westchester Soccer ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWestchester SC, a USL League One team, partnered as regional supporter organization for free 2026 World Cup Community Viewing Events. Partnership includes Kensico Dam Plaza viewing event co-hosted with NYCFC.
• U.S. Soccer FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in New York City Soccer Initiative (NYCSI) committed to building and maintaining 50 mini-soccer pitches across all five NYC boroughs. Foundation co-invests in safe spaces and free programming for youth focused on healthy eating, active living, and mentorship.
• Apple TVmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApple TV is the exclusive streaming home of Major League Soccer through the MLS Season Pass. All NYCFC matches are streamed on Apple TV globally, reaching subscribers in over 100 countries with no blackouts.
• Mayor's Fund to Advance New York CitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the New York City Soccer Initiative (NYCSI) alongside U.S. Soccer Foundation, adidas, and Etihad Airways. The Mayor's Fund supports the initiative to build 50 mini-soccer pitches and provide free youth programming across NYC.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• New York Red Bulls: The other MLS club in the NYC metropolitan area and NYCFC's most direct in-market competitor. Red Bulls operate their own soccer-specific stadium (Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ) and compete directly for NYC soccer fans, sponsors, and youth talent.
• LA Galaxy: LA Galaxy is the most-decorated MLS club and a direct peer on media-market size, sponsorship tiers, and global brand recognition. Operates Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson.
• Inter Miami CF: MLS expansion peer with a globally-recognized star (Lionel Messi) and direct CFG ownership overlap (also owned by City Football Group). Most relevant comparison for NYCFC's commercial trajectory, sponsor dynamics, and MLS media-rights value.
• Toronto FC: Toronto FC is an MLS original that operates BMO Field and shares with NYCFC the profile of a large-market North American club with high commercial ambitions but variable on-field performance.
• Seattle Sounders FC: Seattle Sounders is a flagship MLS club with consistently top attendance at Lumen Field and a deeply engaged fan base. Direct peer on matchday economics, supporter culture, and youth-academy output.
• Chicago Fire FC: Chicago Fire is an MLS peer in the third-largest US media market, with Soldier Field as its home venue. Comparable on big-market dynamics, venue constraints, and on-field execution challenges.
• Charlotte FC: Charlotte FC is an MLS expansion peer (joined 2022) backed by David Tepper in a major US media market. Comparable as a newer-market MLS franchise building a fan base, sponsor portfolio, and identity from scratch.
• Atlanta United FC: Atlanta United is an MLS peer playing at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with record-setting attendance and strong commercial performance. Comparable on new-market expansion, fan engagement, and stadium-driven economics.
• LAFC: LAFC is an MLS peer operating its own soccer-specific BMO Stadium in a major US media market with a strong global sponsor base (e.g., YouTube TV, Blackbaud). Closest comparator for NYCFC's stadium-economics thesis as Etihad Park ramps.

Broad incumbents

• Manchester City: Manchester City is the flagship of City Football Group and NYCFC's sister club. While a global Premier League incumbent rather than a direct MLS competitor, it is materially relevant via shared ownership, talent pipeline (e.g., loaned players to NYCFC), shared sponsors (Etihad, Nexen), and operational know-how transfer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks3 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/newyorkcityfc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/NewYorkCityFC
• Facebookfacebook.com/newyorkcityfc
• Instagraminstagram.com/nycfc
• TikToktiktok.com/@nycfc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/new-york-city-football-club-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about New York City FC