Gotham FC is poised to make history on Wednesday night when they host their first-ever regular-season National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) match in New York City at Citi Field. The event, dubbed "The Queens Classic," is projected to draw a record-shattering crowd, with over 40,000 tickets sold as of Monday.
This landmark game marks a significant moment for Gotham FC and the NWSL, driven by the team's ambition to capitalize on the surging popularity of women's soccer. The decision to hold the match at Citi Field arose when the team's usual home stadium, Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, became unavailable due to preparations for the men's World Cup final at nearby MetLife Stadium.
Gotham FC owner Carolyn Tisch Blodgett emphasized the team's proactive approach. "We kind of sat around and said … we have to be part of this," she recalled. "We have to lean into this moment. When soccer is leading the cultural conversation, we want to be a part of it."
The move to Citi Field, located across from the team's future home at Etihad Park, follows the precedent set by other NWSL teams playing in baseball stadiums. The collaboration with the New York Mets organization was crucial, with Tisch Blodgett stating, "The entire Mets organization believed in this from day one, and worked really hard with us to make it happen."
To achieve record attendance, Gotham FC implemented a comprehensive marketing strategy. Laura Petro, Gotham's VP of brand and fan experiences, outlined efforts including paid media campaigns, extensive social media outreach, partnerships with influencers, and a ticket promotion with the mayor's office. Petro attributed the strong ticket sales to the "really strong narrative" and the message of "making history and being a part of something."
The club has attracted a significant number of new and first-time soccer fans, drawn by the novelty of a major NWSL game in the city and the venue's accessible location. The match is further amplified by the anticipated debut of Sam Kerr and the fierce rivalry against the Washington Spirit, whom Gotham FC defeated in last year's championship game.
The festivities surrounding the match are set to begin in the afternoon with "Footy Fest," an event hosted by U.S. Women's National Team alum Sam Mewis. The event will include a watch party for the England-Argentina semifinal, a live recording of the "Welcome to the Party" podcast featuring Julie Foudy and Abby Wambach, and live DJ sets.
Gotham FC aims for this event to be a catalyst, setting a new standard for attendance. "Our team has done a tremendous job and spent months focused on creating this really special event," Tisch Blodgett said. "But at some point this will just be the standard that when Gotham comes to town, we sell out — and that’s what we’re striving for."
The current franchise record for attendance stands at 15,569, set during the 2024 playoffs. The match at Citi Field also aims to surpass the existing record for the highest-attended women's sporting event in New York City, which was 28,144 for Coco Gauff's U.S. Open women's singles final in 2023. A sellout crowd of approximately 42,000 is within reach.