Earlier today, New York City FC announced the schedule for the 2025 season, and it contains some interesting changes compared to 2024.
There are more afternoon games, nine in total (there were five last year), and four Sunday games (there was just one last year). There are three Friday night games (that remains unchanged), four Wednesday games (there were six last year), and two Thursday games (there were none last year).
Basically, there is more variety. In 2024, New York City played 22 league games on a Saturday night, and just 13 games on other days or at other times. In 2025, New York City will play 16 games on a Saturday night, and 19 games on other days or at other times. The 5 pm ET game on a Sunday is the new back.
There will be more games at Yankee Stadium this year, 11 in all (there were nine last year), and just five at Citi Field (there were six last year). No games are scheduled for Red Bull Arena Sports Illustrated Stadium (there were three last year), although the final match of the season is still TBD.
Naturally, there is one treacherous road trip that has the team crossing the country to play on short rest in the summer heat. New York City will play Charlotte on July 12, Orlando on July 16, Sporting Kansas City on July 19, and FC Dallas on July 25.
But decision day will be at home this year, and will feature Seattle Sounders traveling to New York City to play on Saturday, October 18 at a venue yet to be named.
5. New York City vs Inter Miami CF
Sat, February 22, 2:30 pm ET at Chase Stadium
It won't get any harder for NYCFC in their season opener. New York City will play Inter Miami on the road in a 2:30 pm ET kickoff on Saturday, February 22.
NYCFC grabbed a point at Chase Stadium last season, but Lionel Messi & Co will make it difficult for a New York side that struggled when playing away last season.
4. Orlando City vs New York City
Sat, March 8, 7:30 pm ET at Yankee Stadium
After opening with two tough road games, NYCFC will return home to play Orlando City at Yankee Stadium on March 8. It's a 7:30 p.m. kickoff, but the vibes in the Bronx will surely be bouncing.
New York City lost their home opener for the first time in club history last season, and it won't be easy to go up against an Orlando that advanced to the 2024 MLS Cup Eastern Conference Final. But Orlando talisman Facundo Torres is the subject of trade rumors, and might not be with the team next year.
3. New York City vs Atlanta United
Thu, June 12, 7:30 pm ET at Yankee Stadium
With rumors swirling that the former NYCFC head coach Ronny Delia will take over at Atlanta, this could be a memorable reunion. The two sides will play earlier in the season on Saturday, March 29 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but this could be Delia's return to The Bronx — and a night to remember.
2. Inter Miami CF vs. NYCFC, September 24
Perhaps the biggest surprise on this year's schedule is the placement of NYCFC versus Inter Miami in New York. A 7:30 p.m. game in Queens on a Wednesday night won't bring out the best crowd, but Citi Field will still be packed.
Last season, New York City drew Inter Miami 1-1 in front of 44,738, the second-largest attendance in club history. But that game was also on a Saturday afternoon, a much more ideal day and time for what is always going to be a must-watch game with Messi and Suárez on the pitch.
1. New York City vs NY Red Bulls
Sat, May 17, 4:30 pm ET at Citi Field
It'll be a grudge rematch when these two teams return to Citi Field for the third time in two years, this time for an afternoon kickoff time of 4:30 pm on Saturday, May 17.
New York City won the first fixture 2-1 last season in Queens, but the Red Bulls had the last laugh, winning 0-2 at Citi Field in the 2024 MLS Cup Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Emil Forsberg and newly signed designated player Eric Choupo-Moting will spear a Red Bulls offense in what should be another entertaining Hudson River Derby.
