New York City FC installed the final steel beam at Etihad Park today, finishing construction of the stadium's structural frame. Despite an extraordinarily harsh winter, the installation of the final steel beam was completed on schedule, bringing New York City FC's promise to build New York City's first-ever soccer-specific stadium closer to reality. The Club will begin playing matches at Etihad Park in the 2027–28 MLS season, more than a decade after their MLS debut. Today's topping out ceremony celebrated this historic moment and honored the all-union construction crew, whose work has brought New York City FC's vision for Etihad Park to life. Following the ceremony, the stadium's final steel beam was raised and installed by a crew of Ironworkers Local 361 union members. These crew members included: JC Steel Superintendent Matt Bispo; Crane Operator Mark Jones; Crane Oiler Bobby Bernardo; Foreman Anthony Stonish; Ground Crew Matthew Warren and Ray Glynn; Connectors Cameron Jacobs and Will Grogan; Signalman Gerard Dolce; and Apprentice Dennis Brown. A tree was placed on top of the beam and raised with it, as part of a centuries-old tradition of placing a tree at the highest point of a structure to symbolize growth, resilience, and good fortune for the building and the people who gather there. New York City FC was joined by elected officials, union leaders, hundreds of construction workers, fans, and community members. "Today's milestone is not just a marker of construction progress, it is the realization of a vision that will shape the future of this Club and the sport in New York City for generations. Thanks to the extraordinary work of our all-union construction teams and partners, that vision is becoming reality. We look forward to welcoming our fans to Etihad Park for the first time next summer and to marking the beginning of a new era for New York City FC," said New York City FC Co-Vice Chairman Marty Edelman. "Today marks an important milestone towards finally giving New York soccer fans our own stadium," said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. "I want to thank all of the workers who have gotten us to this point, including the more than 300 hard-working men and women from Queens who have been hired on this project. Etihad Park represents more than just a soccer stadium -- it's the type of project we want to see: fully electric and union-made by and for New Yorkers." "The installation of the final beam at Etihad Park marks a poignant milestone for the entire New York City FC community, especially for our fans who have been waiting years for their own stadium. After nearly a decade of searching for the right place to build a home for our Club, we're proud to celebrate the remarkable progress made in such a short time. We are especially grateful to Turner, the City, and our union partners for helping create a stadium that reflects the impact our Club has on our city," said New York City FC CEO Brad Sims. Etihad Park's construction is being privately financed by New York City FC and constructed with 100% union labor. The 25,000-seat stadium will be the first fully electric outdoor stadium in the country and remains on schedule to open for the 2027-28 MLS season. Since breaking ground in December 2024, more than 300 Queens residents have been hired on the project. Etihad Park's workforce is all-union, with members from Local 1 Plumbers, Local 3 IBEW (Electrical Workers), SMART Local 28 (Sheet Metal Workers), Local 45 Carpenters, Metall