ew York City FC has selected Legends Global as Etihad Park’s Food and Beverage Operating Partner. Legends Global will handle premium suites, concessions, club spaces, and catering throughout the venue. For the Club, this decision goes beyond operations. Food and beverages are being treated as part of how the stadium will feel on matchdays. NYCFC has been open about wanting Etihad Park to reflect the city itself, and that goal shows up clearly in how dining has been planned from the start rather than added later.
Etihad Park & the Long Lead-Up
Etihad Park is set to open for the 2027 MLS regular season in Willets Point, Queens. The privately financed stadium will seat 25,000 people and will be the first soccer-specific venue in New York City. Planning has been underway for years, and decisions around food and beverage were part of early discussions. Legends Global brings experience from major venues across the world, but the Club has emphasized that local direction will shape how that experience looks and feels inside the stadium on a regular matchday.
On-Field Attention Mirrors Off-Field Momentum
Interest in New York City FC continues to build as the team competes in a demanding MLS league. During the 2025 season, the club entered several playoff matches as an underdog. Despite performances this season, New York City FC were still seen as the underdog when it came to the MLS title. During the tournament, online betting sites had odds around +440 against Inter Miami and roughly +270 versus the Philadelphia Union. Those numbers circulated widely among supporters following league action through betting platforms.
Many fans favor no kyc betting sites since these sites offer quicker registration without requiring much personal information. Given the outcome of the MLS final, where Inter Miami won against Vancouver, New York City FC still remains an underdog in the league. Still, this could change as more investment is poured into the team and Etihad Park.
Concourse Options Spread Across the Stadium
Food options at Etihad Park will be distributed throughout the concourse rather than limited to a few areas. Each of the east, south, and north stands will include two beverage markets, two portable grills, and three fixed food stalls. Fans will also have two tap bars serving New York beers on draft and five full-service bars. The Supporters Porch will feature familiar city staples alongside rotating items. The focus is on accessibility and comfort, giving supporters choices that feel familiar without overcomplicating the experience.
A Different Approach in Premium Areas
Premium hospitality spaces in the west stand will follow a separate model. Each suite and club area will have its own dedicated kitchen, allowing food to be prepared fresh during matches and events. Guests in these areas will receive food and beverages as part of their ticket, while still having access to the main concourse. Live cooking stations and menus developed with local chefs are expected. The emphasis is practical. Fresh food, served when it should be, without pulling people away from the action.
A Club That Has Grown Quickly
New York City FC was announced as Major League Soccer’s 20th franchise in 2013 and began play in 2015. The Club is majority owned by City Football Group. NYCFC won the MLS Cup in 2021 during its first appearance in the finals, marking the first championship for a New York-based professional sports team in ten years. The Campeones Cup followed in 2022. Those results helped establish the Club’s place in the league, even as it continued to play without a permanent home stadium.
Development and Local Impact
Development remains central to NYCFC’s structure. NYCFC II competes in MLS NEXT Pro and plays home matches at Belson Stadium and Icahn Stadium. The Club’s academy includes teams from U-12 through U-18 and has earned national recognition, including consecutive U-19 titles. Community involvement continues through City in the Community programs. The New York City Soccer Initiative has already delivered 50 mini-pitches across the city by 2021, with 26 additional sites planned ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Five Boroughs Food Hall in City Square
City Square at Etihad Park will include the Five Boroughs Food Hall, which will feature small business vendors that provide different cuisines from across New York City. Each vendor will operate with a focused menu tied to its borough. Participating businesses will be required to have documents in place that show they’re insured and licensed food service operators in NYC. Alongside this, vendors need to enter into a one-year operating agreement. Details on applications and selection timelines are expected to be released at the beginning of 2026 through Etihad Park’s official website.
Legends Global and the Wider Development
Legends Global currently manages food and beverage operations at more than 450 venues worldwide, alongside now partnering with New York FC. Although Legends Global has officially been named the food and beverage partner for Etihad Park, this agreement builds on a relationship that began in April 2024. This was when the company was selected to manage premium seating sales at Etihad Park.
The stadium sits within a larger Willets Point redevelopment that includes affordable housing, a public school, a hotel, and public open space. The project is expected to generate 2,500 housing units and a 650-seat school while creating 1,550 permanent and 14,200 construction jobs. All this will contribute to a $6.1 billion economic impact.
Conclusion
As Etihad Park moves closer to opening, New York City FC continues to focus on how the stadium will function day to day. Food and beverages play a large role in that plan. With Legends Global overseeing operations and local businesses shaping the offerings, the Club is aiming for a matchday experience that feels familiar, busy, and rooted in the city around it.
