The proposed new stadium venue for the New York City Football Club (NYCFC) by HOK will be all-electric in addition to incorporating a number of sustainability strategies included in a press announcement that was made last week by the team.

The 25,000-seat stadium forms the center of a larger mixed-use redevelopment set for an area of the Willets Points neighborhood of Queens that is also being targeted for a proposed $8 billion new casino development and would be the MLS franchise's first dedicated facility after ten years in operation.

HOK intends to install a solar PV array on the stadium's roof and says they plan for a net-zero construction to match the franchise's 2040 commitment, achieving annual reductions of at least 12% after year one of the project's operation. 

Other considerations include enacting a stormwater retention system and a zero-waste strategy. The stadium's green credentials are likely to inform the rest of the plan, which calls for a 250-room hotel, 2,500-unit affordable housing development, 40,000 square feet of public space, and a new public middle school.

“HOK’s approach to sustainability aligns with NYCFC’s culture, prioritizing the well-being of the fans and the community,” HOK Senior Principal Chris DeVolder said of his firm’s plan. “We integrated many sustainability strategies - solar power, water harvesting, access to public transportation, and enhanced biodiversity - into the new stadium design to create a people-friendly environment that brings added value far beyond match day.”

The NYCFC stadium will follow step with Seattle's Populous-designed Climate Pledge Arena, which opened in 2021 and was just certified by the International Living Future Institute as the first net-zero carbon-certified arena in America, according to Forbes.