Professional soccer is coming to Nassau County! Discover The Island F.C. Long Island’s first MLS NEXT Pro team debuting in 2027 with a brand-new stadium in Uniondale.
The Island F.C. Kicks Off a New Era for Long Island Soccer
Move over baseball and lacrosse, Long Island is gearing up for some serious soccer!
Big news: The Island F.C., a brand-new professional soccer club, is set to join MLS NEXT Pro in 2027, becoming Long Island’s first-ever professional soccer team. And they’re calling Nassau County home.
The team will play at a brand-new, privately funded stadium at the Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale, marking a huge moment for local sports and community pride. With passionate fans, a thriving youth soccer scene, and decades of sporting tradition, Long Island is more than ready to take the field.
A Homegrown Dream, Built for Long Islanders
The Island F.C. isn’t just another team — it’s the result of a vision born right here on Long Island.
Leading the charge are Principal Owner and Chairman Mitchell Rechler and Team President Peter Zaratin, two names already familiar in the region’s sports and business landscape. Their mission? To create a soccer club that represents the Island’s energy, diversity, and hometown pride.
Rechler’s family has been part of Long Island’s growth for over 60 years, and this project continues that legacy, not just by bringing pro soccer to local fans, but by building opportunity. From youth players to local businesses, this team aims to make an impact that goes well beyond the scoreboard.
Their new stadium, designed to seat 2,500 fans at launch with the ability to expand to 5,000 will be more than a sports venue. It will serve as a year-round destination for games, training, concerts, and community events, creating an entirely new entertainment hub in the heart of Nassau County.
Why Uniondale? Because It’s the Heart of Long Island Sports
Uniondale is no stranger to big games. Nestled between the Meadowbrook Parkway and Eisenhower Park, it’s already home to a rich athletic history. Now, the area will add another chapter with the arrival of The Island F.C.
The new stadium at Mitchel Athletic Complex is strategically located just minutes from Hofstra University and Roosevelt Field Mall making it an ideal gathering spot for fans across both Nassau and Suffolk Counties. With easy access, plenty of nearby restaurants, and family-friendly attractions, it’s the perfect setting for a day of soccer and local exploration.
Visitors can cheer on the team, grab dinner in Garden City, or stroll through Eisenhower Park after the match, a quintessential Long Island weekend.
Growing the Game — and the Community
The Island F.C. is about more than just goals and glory. It’s about growth both on the field and off.
Team leadership has made it clear that youth development will be at the heart of their mission.
It’s a vision that aims to unite the Island, literally by connecting Nassau and Suffolk through shared facilities, elite coaching, and year-round training access. For the thousands of kids already playing soccer across Long Island every weekend, this team represents a dream that suddenly feels a lot closer to home.
Part of a National Soccer Movement
The Island F.C. joins MLS NEXT Pro, a growing professional league affiliated with Major League Soccer that serves as a platform for rising stars and independent clubs across the country. Long Island’s new team joins others in cities like Cleveland, Grand Rapids, and Jacksonville but it will be the first independent MLS NEXT Pro club in the entire Long Island and NYC metro area.
For soccer fans, that means more opportunities to see high-level play right in their own backyard. For the community, it means new traditions, local heroes, and a chance to proudly say: “That’s our team.”
Coming Soon: The Look, the Brand, the Buzz
While fans will have to wait until Spring 2026 to see the team’s official logo and stadium renderings, excitement is already building. Will the design draw inspiration from Long Island’s coastal heritage? Its dynamic energy? Its passionate, tight-knit communities? We’ll have to wait and see but one thing’s certain: the reveal will make waves.
Until then, you can expect more announcements, fan events, and sneak peeks as 2027 approaches.
Ready for Kickoff? We Are.
With its roots in community, its sights set on the future, and its heart beating for Long Island, The Island F.C. is ready to make history. Whether you’re a lifelong soccer devotee, a curious first-timer, or just someone looking for a new way to spend a summer afternoon, you’ll want to be part of this story from the very first whistle.
Grab your scarf, bring your energy, and get ready to chant “Let’s Go Island!” because professional soccer has finally found its home in Nassau County.
