New York City FC Names Legends Global As Etihad Park's Food Partner, Bringing Local Flavors to the City's First Soccer-Specific Stadium
The wait is almost over for soccer fans in New York City as the city's first soccer-specific stadium, Etihad Park, continues to take shape in the Willets Point neighborhood of Queens. The latest move comes as NYCFC has named Legends Global as the team's food and beverage partner, tasked with managing concessions, catering, and premium suites and clubs at the 25,000-seat stadium.
Scheduled to open in time for the 2027 MLS regular season, Etihad Park will reflect and celebrate the culture of New York City by showcasing local restaurants and celebrity chefs across all offerings. "Food is an essential part of New York City's identity that reflects its diversity and creativity," says Brad Sims, the team's CEO, adding plans are in place to "authentically represent" the "taste and spirit of New York City."
Legends Global will be led by a mix of local restaurants, with the food and beverage program expected to make announcements about the chefs and restaurants joining the stadium within the next 12 months. The HOK design of Etihad Park's north, south, and east stands will each feature three fixed food stands, two portable grills, and two beverage markets. Five fully stocked bars and two tap bars featuring New York brews on draft will pepper the concourse.
The premium hospitality space in the west stand includes a dedicated kitchen, where guests in the premium spaces will have all food and beverage included. The stadium design calls for a City Square, featuring a Five Boroughs Food Hall, which will showcase small business vendors representing cuisines found throughout each borough of New York City.
"Every matchday and every event will offer fans and guests something new to discover and share together," says Tom Funk, Legends Global president of hospitality. "Our goal is to create a culinary experience that celebrates the city's incredible food culture—from favorite local restaurants to hidden gems from across the five boroughs."
The stadium will also be the first 100% privately funded stadium in the country and will be fully electric outdoor stadium, part of a new 23-acre neighborhood at Willets Point, alongside 2,500 affordable housing units, a 650-seat public school, a hotel, and more than 150,000 square feet of public open space.
The wait is almost over for soccer fans in New York City as the city's first soccer-specific stadium, Etihad Park, continues to take shape in the Willets Point neighborhood of Queens. The latest move comes as NYCFC has named Legends Global as the team's food and beverage partner, tasked with managing concessions, catering, and premium suites and clubs at the 25,000-seat stadium.
Scheduled to open in time for the 2027 MLS regular season, Etihad Park will reflect and celebrate the culture of New York City by showcasing local restaurants and celebrity chefs across all offerings. "Food is an essential part of New York City's identity that reflects its diversity and creativity," says Brad Sims, the team's CEO, adding plans are in place to "authentically represent" the "taste and spirit of New York City."
Legends Global will be led by a mix of local restaurants, with the food and beverage program expected to make announcements about the chefs and restaurants joining the stadium within the next 12 months. The HOK design of Etihad Park's north, south, and east stands will each feature three fixed food stands, two portable grills, and two beverage markets. Five fully stocked bars and two tap bars featuring New York brews on draft will pepper the concourse.
The premium hospitality space in the west stand includes a dedicated kitchen, where guests in the premium spaces will have all food and beverage included. The stadium design calls for a City Square, featuring a Five Boroughs Food Hall, which will showcase small business vendors representing cuisines found throughout each borough of New York City.
"Every matchday and every event will offer fans and guests something new to discover and share together," says Tom Funk, Legends Global president of hospitality. "Our goal is to create a culinary experience that celebrates the city's incredible food culture—from favorite local restaurants to hidden gems from across the five boroughs."
The stadium will also be the first 100% privately funded stadium in the country and will be fully electric outdoor stadium, part of a new 23-acre neighborhood at Willets Point, alongside 2,500 affordable housing units, a 650-seat public school, a hotel, and more than 150,000 square feet of public open space.
. This collaboration is gonna bring a level of authenticity to the stadium's culinary experience, showcasing the diverse flavors and creativity that New York City has to offer 
. It's awesome that local restaurants will be represented, and I'm excited to see what celebrity chefs are lined up for this project 
. The focus on small business vendors at the Five Boroughs Food Hall is also a great touch, giving fans a chance to discover new favorite spots 
. Can't wait to catch a match at Etihad Park and indulge in some delicious eats! 
I love how they're focusing on showcasing the diversity of New York City through food, it's just so NYC! 
And that food hall in the City Square is gonna be my happy place! 
5 Boroughs Food Hall sounds like the ultimate foodie experience. Can't wait for the stadium to open in 2027 and try out all these amazing local eats! 
. I mean, we all know NYC is all about the $15 burger, so it's only a matter of time before Legends Global turns those iconic stadium snacks into mini-meals 
. And what's up with making every matchday and event feel like some kind of culinary experience? Can't they just chill and serve the usual stadium fare, you know, nachos and hot dogs? 
my fave spot for nycfc games is gonna get a major upgrade, can't wait to try all the local flavors they'll have on offer 
The idea of Legends Global bringing local flavors to the stadium is genius - NYC's diverse food scene is what makes it so amazing! 
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