A New Pro Soccer Team Is Coming To NJ. It'll Call Edison Home

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ — New York City FC II, the MLS NEXT Pro affiliate of New York City FC's Major League Soccer club, will relocate to a new 6,500-seat stadium in Edison, with play beginning in July 2027. The team will eventually take on its own name, colors and identity.

Hometown Soccer Holdings (HSH), New York City FC, MLS NEXT Pro and Middlesex County officials announced the plans Wednesday. The club, initially referred to as New Jersey MLS NEXT Pro, will continue to serve as New York City FC's MLS NEXT Pro affiliate, with New York City FC overseeing sporting operations. It will be the first MLS NEXT Pro team to relaunch under the HSH commercial platform, a partnership between MLS and KKR announced in April 2026 to accelerate the league's growth.

New Jersey fans and community members will have input on the club's new name, colors and crest, with additional announcements on stadium information and branding expected later in 2026.

"This is exactly the kind of opportunity we envisioned when MLS partnered with KKR and Hometown Soccer Holdings to accelerate the growth of MLS NEXT Pro," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. "As the first club to relaunch under that partnership, New Jersey MLS NEXT Pro represents an important step in the league's next chapter by strengthening player development and bringing professional soccer closer to more communities."

The team will play at NEXUS, a $350 million sports and entertainment district in Edison slated for a ribbon-cutting later this year. The stadium includes luxury-style suites, two upper-level party decks, a premium home plate bar that opens to the field, and a grass hill with a playground for families.

The stadium sits within walking distance of NEXUS Fields, a 14-field youth tournament destination, and is near the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway and Route 287. NEXUS will be managed by Sports Facilities Companies under General Manager Katie Eskin.

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said the announcement gives fans in the state a team of their own. "New Jersey is a soccer state, and today we're once again giving fans across the Garden State a team to call their own," Sherrill said. "Bringing professional soccer to NEXUS gives fans in the heart of our state a team to rally behind while creating new opportunities for athletes and strengthening our state's growing sports economy."

Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios said the club will bolster the region's soccer culture. "Bringing professional soccer to Middlesex County, and its almost 900,000 residents, will make us an exciting new sports destination in New Jersey," Rios said.

As part of the partnership, Middlesex County will become New York City FC's second official Youth Programs Regional Hub, joining LIU Post in Long Island. Starting in 2027, New York City FC Youth Programs will launch a new youth soccer club in Edison with teams and programming for ages 3 to 18, based at NEXUS Fields at Thomas A. Edison Park.

"New York City FC has always been committed to developing the next generation of local soccer players and fans, and the partnership with Hometown Soccer Holdings is the latest step in strengthening that mission," said Brad Sims, CEO of New York City FC.

Tom Glick, CEO of Hometown Soccer Holdings, said Middlesex County's diversity and soccer culture made it the right fit. "The county's remarkable diversity, deep soccer culture, and passion for the game make this the right place to build something lasting," Glick said.

Fans can place a deposit for a New Jersey MLS NEXT Pro founding membership at NewJerseyMLSNP.com. More information on the club and NEXUS is available at NewJerseyMLSNP.com and NEXUSnj.com.

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