NWSL Semifinals Face Venue Changes and Scheduling Conflicts

Gotham FC moved its Sunday semifinal against the Kansas City Current to Icahn Stadium due to poor pitch quality at its primary home.

Gotham FC will host its NWSL semifinal against the Kansas City Current on Sunday at the 5,000-seat Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island. The decision follows a 1-0 quarterfinal victory over the Seattle Reign at Sports Illustrated Stadium, where players described the pitch as "atrocious" due to visible sand and brown patches. Although Gotham officials attempted to fund repairs or resod the field, they could not reach an agreement with stadium operator Red Bull New York, which is hosting an exhibition match between the Red Bulls and Club América on Saturday.

The venue change represents a significant capacity reduction from the 11,000 fans who attended the quarterfinal. Tickets for the 5,000-seat facility sold out within minutes of the general public release. Kansas City defender Kayla Sharples and Gotham co-captain Tierna Davidson expressed frustration over the move, noting that Gotham earned the right to a home game by winning the Shield but must now play at a facility that primarily hosts amateur events and features a running track.

In the other semifinal, the Washington Spirit will face the Utah Royals on Saturday at Audi Field. This match will be played with yellow soccer lines painted over American football lines and partially installed goalposts. The conflict arose because D.C. United, the stadium operator, booked an NCAA Division III football game for the same day. Kansas City remains the only team in the 2026 playoffs that owns its home stadium, while most other NWSL franchises operate as secondary tenants.