In less than a month, Gotham FC will take the baseball diamond at Citi Field for the inaugural Queens Classic in an eagerly anticipated rematch of the 2025 NWSL championship against the Washington Spirit.
The Empire vs. District rivalry will be renewed under the lights in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, with kickoff for the July 15 match scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
More than 25,000 tickets have already been distributed for the midsummer contest that pits the longtime rivals on a new stage at Citi Field. It will be the first time that sides have met since Rose Lavelle’s dramatic 80th-minute goal won last year’s championship for Gotham.
Attendance for The Queens Classic is expected to set a new record for the largest crowd for a women’s sporting event in New York City. Previously, the 2023 U.S. Open Women’s Singles Final between Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka at Arthur Ashe Stadium drew 28,143 spectators.
Sofia Cook Excited for ‘Electric’ Home Support at Queens Classic
Midfielder Sofia Cook expects the home-field advantage brought by Gotham’s diehard supporters, combined with fans from across the Five Boroughs, some of whom might be witnessing their first NWSL match, will create a vibrant atmosphere.
“I think it’s going to be electric there,” Cook told South Ward Central. “Our fans are so awesome. I love our New Jersey fans, and I’m excited for people who [Sports Illustrated Stadium] might not be super accessible to be able to hop on the subway and get there. It’s going to be super exciting.”
Sarah Schupansky Aims to Highlight NWSL Growth at Citi Field
Midfielder Sarah Schupansky is eager for the opportunity to showcase the NWSL’s growth as Gotham continues to expand its reach within New York City.
Earlier this season, the expansion Denver Summit set the league’s single-match attendance record of 63,004 on March 28 in its inaugural home opener against the Washington Spirit at Empower Field at Mile High.
“A couple of teams throughout the league have done this, and obviously that inspired us to look for this type of opportunity,” Schupansky explained to South Ward Central. “Anytime those games have been put on, fans have showed out. It just proves that if you commit the space to it and you have the events, people will show up. I think the New York and New Jersey fans are going to be no different.
“The fan base here is absolutely incredible, and they’re so supportive of all of us as people, as much as players, which is so special. The fact that we’re playing a soccer game at a field that I probably watched some baseball games on when I was little, it’s unbelievable that our organization is able to make this happen for all of us.”
Queens Classic Adds to New York’s ‘Summer of Soccer’ Buzz
The New York metro area has caught soccer fever with World Cup viewing parties and fan zones popping up across the Five Boroughs and New Jersey. Sports Illustrated Stadium is serving as the New Jersey fan hub with a 60-foot screen showing live matches and fan experiences throughout the arena.
With the Queens Classic taking place days before the July 19 FIFA World Cup final in nearby East Rutherford, New Jersey, it could get an attendance bump from fans visiting from all corners of the globe who wish to see two of the NWSL’s top clubs in action.
“I hope that they can come out and support and have a good time because baseball stadiums tend to just be a cool place to be as much as it’s a cool sport to watch,” Schupansky stated. “I think it’s going to be an unbelievable event right in the middle of all of the World Cup and everything. The timing’s also impeccable, and we’re all super excited to showcase not only Gotham, but also women’s soccer in a little bit of a bigger market in New York City.”
Queens Classic To Feature Full Day of Events at Citi Field
The July 15 match will be carried on ESPN. For those attending, there will be plenty of events around Citi Field leading up to the match. Former United States women’s national team midfielder and The Women’s Game Editor-in-Chief, Sam Mewis, will host Footy Fest at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
There will also be a 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal watch party, live music and additional events ahead of the match.
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