The area surrounding Citi Field in Queens is taking on an entirely new look with construction ongoing at New York City FC’s Etihad Park stadium and the recent approval of an $8.1 billion Metropolitan Park casino development led by New York Mets’ owner Steve Cohen.
Progress on the casino plans can now move forward after the New York State Gaming Commission’s location board approved a site on 50 acres next door to the Mets’ stadium for a casino resort and entertainment district.
“It’s time New York got the sports and entertainment park it deserves,” Cohen says in a statement.
The Metropolitan Park project plans to take an area that is now parking lot and car repair shops and turn it into a Hard Rock International casino and hotel with a 5,000-seat indoor music venue along with 25 acres of green space, a reconstructed transit center and retail amenities.
Metropolitan Park spokesperson Karl Rickett says in a statement that Metropolitan Park is one step closer to reality and only needs a final approval from the full gaming commission, which typically follows the lead of the site review process. With the gaming commission’s approval, construction can begin—likely in early 2026.
The Metropolitan Park casino includes the hotel, a convention center space, the live music venue and plenty of gambling operations. It’s being design by SHoP Architects and McKissack will lead construction.
“This is an opportunity to transform underutilized parking lots into a unique recreational, commercial and entertainment hub, and act as a catalyst for further regional revitalization,” Cheryl McKissack Daniel, president and CEO of McKissack, says in a statement.
Gregg Pasquarelli of SHoP says the project will be “the next great New York City landmark.”
James Corner, founding partner and CEO of Field Operations, says he’s excited his firm will work on the new public park and green space to connect Flushing Meadows-Corona Park to Flushing Bay. He says the site will feature meandering pathways, large event spaces, social gathering spaces, picnic areas and sports facilities.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says in a statement that the project promises to “unlock billions in funding for the MTA and create tens of thousands of jobs.” She add that it is “critical that they keep those promises.”
“There is no safer bet in our city than Queens and its unparalleled promise,” Donovan Richards, Queens Borough president, says in a statement lauding the decision to welcome Metropolitan Park.
Not all residents support the infusion of a casino into the community. Multiple groups, including the Fed-Up Coalition, the Flushing Workers Center and Guardians of Flushing Bay, have publicly denounced the casino plans.
Metropolitan Park plans to open in 2030
Etihad Park Construction Continues
Since breaking ground in December 2024, Turner Construction continues building a 25,000-seat soccer-specific stadium next door to Citi Field in the Willets Point neighborhood of Queens. The stadium is expected to open in time for the 2027 MLS regular season.
Construction is ongoing at New York City FC’s Etihad Park stadium, also in Queens. Rendering courtesy HOK.
The $780 million privately financed stadium along the edge of 126th Street will be one of the first fully electric outdoor stadium in the country and is part of a 23-acre neighborhood at Willets Point that will eventually add 2,500 affordable housing units, a 650-seat public school, a 250-key hotel and public open space.
A 10,500-seat, fully electric stadium was recently opened in Pawtucket, R.I. Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas is also powered by renewable energy.
HOK led the design on the stadium, with a key element a cube entryway that can illuminate with imagery. The team says the stadium will offer mixed-use opportunity on non-match days.