# The Stadium Move in Context
Gotham FC will play its NWSL semifinal against the Kansas City Current at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island after concerns about the playing surface at Sports Illustrated Stadium led to a late venue change. The decision followed Gotham’s 1-0 quarterfinal win over the Seattle Reign, a match overshadowed by complaints about the field.
Icahn Stadium, a 5,000-seat venue in Manhattan, offers a smaller setting than Sports Illustrated Stadium, Gotham’s usual 25,000-seat home in Harrison, New Jersey. Gotham captain Tierna Davidson said the club made the difficult move because the field did not meet the standard its team, league or fans deserved. She also acknowledged that the change meant some supporters would miss the semifinal.
## Why Gotham FC Left Sports Illustrated Stadium
The condition of the grass became a major concern during Gotham’s quarterfinal against Seattle. Players and coaches described the surface as sandy, unstable and difficult to play on, raising concerns about footing and the quality of the match.
Gotham coach Juan Carlos Amoros apologized after the game, saying the club had done what it could to address the conditions. The field complaints were not limited to Gotham: Seattle coach Laura Harvey and captain Jess Fishlock also criticized the pitch, while Gotham midfielder Jaelin Howell and attacker Jaedyn Shaw described problems with its stability.
The pitch had been installed during Major League Soccer’s summer World Cup break. It was expected to host a busy schedule, including matches for both the New York Red Bulls and Gotham, as well as a rugby doubleheader. By early November, signs of wear were visible, including sand left from the rugby games and faint rugby lines on the grass.
### A Fine and Conflicting Field Assessments
The NWSL fined Gotham $10,000 for the state of the field ahead of its November 1 match, despite Gotham being a secondary tenant and not managing the stadium. The fine became widely known after Harvey referred to it following the quarterfinal.
League and soccer officials inspected the pitch before Gotham’s game against Seattle and deemed it playable. However, the players’ feedback raised serious concerns about whether the surface was suitable for a high-stakes playoff match.
## How the Icahn Stadium Decision Was Made
After the quarterfinal, Gotham and the NWSL discussed ways to improve the field with the New York Red Bulls, the primary tenant and operator of Sports Illustrated Stadium. Options included replacing the grass entirely or adding artificial fibers to reinforce the existing surface.
The timing created a major obstacle. The Red Bulls had a friendly against Club América scheduled for Saturday, the day before Gotham’s semifinal. The NWSL could not guarantee that the proposed work would be completed in time for that match, and the Red Bulls were unwilling to proceed with a plan that might disrupt it.
Gotham therefore moved the semifinal to Icahn Stadium. The club has played there twice before, and Amoros previously praised the quality of its pitch. The Red Bulls said Sports Illustrated Stadium’s field had been cleared for every match this season and that additional work could not be guaranteed to finish on schedule.
## NWSL Scheduling Challenges Come Into Focus
Gotham’s venue change is part of a wider logistical challenge for the NWSL, where teams often share stadiums with men’s professional clubs or other tenants. Those arrangements can limit when and how a club can use its home venue, particularly during the playoffs.
The league’s semifinal broadcast schedule added to the complexity. Gotham’s potential Saturday slot conflicted with the Red Bulls’ friendly, while the Sunday schedule depended on the result of another playoff game. The Washington Spirit also faced a venue conflict at Audi Field, where a college football game was scheduled during the semifinal window. The Spirit ultimately found a solution with Audi Field’s owners and help from a sponsor.
Other NWSL teams have faced similar constraints. The Boston Legacy has moved home matches from Gillette Stadium to Centreville Bank Stadium while work continues on Boston’s White Stadium.
### Shared Stadiums Can Limit Team Control
Around half of NWSL clubs are secondary tenants in their home venues, leaving stadium operations largely in the hands of another organization. That can create conflicts over field maintenance, scheduling and access—especially when the NWSL calendar overlaps with MLS or other events.
Gotham is set to move to Etihad Park in 2028, but the venue will be managed by New York City FC. That means the club may continue to share control of its home stadium. The NWSL’s scheduling challenges could evolve as league calendars change, but shared-venue arrangements are likely to remain a factor.
## What the Move Means for Gotham’s Semifinal
The switch to Icahn Stadium addresses Gotham’s immediate concern about playing on a surface its players considered unsafe or unsuitable. But the 5,000-seat venue is far smaller than Sports Illustrated Stadium, limiting how many fans can attend a pivotal NWSL playoff match.
Gotham’s move highlights a broader issue for the league: strong teams and growing fan interest do not always come with full control over the facilities they use. As the NWSL expands, stadium access, field quality and scheduling will remain central to how clubs host major matches.