Gotham FC v Racing Louisville SunOct.19,'25 @Sport Illustrated Stadium

The atmosphere is set to sizzle this Sunday, October 19, 2025, as the reigning‐champion Gotham FC hosts Racing Louisville FC in what will be Gotham’s final home match of the 2025 season.

Team Profiles
Gotham FC — Founded in 2006 as Jersey Sky Blue (and later Sky Blue FC), the club has the distinction of being one of the longest-running professional women’s soccer outfits in the United States. The team became a founding member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in 2013. Gotham plays its home matches at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey (formerly Red Bull Arena), a venue with a seating capacity of 25,000.

Racing Louisville FC — The Louisville club was awarded as an NWSL expansion franchise on October 22, 2019, and began play in the 2021 season. Their home ground is Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville’s Butchertown neighbourhood, a soccer‐specific stadium with an overall capacity of 15,304

Match Day and Fan Fest Highlights
This Sunday’s game kicks off at 3 p.m., but earlier in the day, the action starts with Fan Fest at 12:30 p.m. A full 2½ hours before the first whistle gives fans plenty of time to engage with festivities and pre-match atmosphere. American Women’s Soccer is much more than watching the main event; it is also about partaking in the pre-game activities and meeting up with friends and making new friends during the pre-game activities.

Highlights of the Fan Fest include:

• Live music by the band Atomic Funk, setting the tone ahead of kickoff.
• A Gotham merchandise booth where fans can browse and purchase the latest club gear.
• A Mini Pitch sponsored by RWJ Barnabas Health, giving fans the chance to hone their passing skills. It harks back to the Town of Harrison’s court, which helped local kids hone their passing skills because of its tight quarters, which helped them make the US National Soccer team.
• A photo-booth at the stadium’s CrossBar area, where guests 21+ (with ID) can enjoy a complimentary sampling of Johnnie Walker.
• A Slow-Mo Video Booth sponsored by Tylenol — perfect for showing off headers and creative motion shots.
• Free samples of nutrition vitamin gummies courtesy of Grüns, the official foundational nutrition partner of Gotham.
• A Sign-Making Booth brought to you by Car Maxx, where fans can personalize their own signs to cheer on the team.

Honoring Queen Kriegs
Sunday also carries extra meaning as Gotham honours club icon Ali Krieger — affectionately dubbed Queen Kriegs by the club and its fans. Krieger joined Gotham in December 2021 and concluded a storied playing career by captaining Gotham to their first NWSL Championship in 2023. As part of the tribute, the first 4,000 fans through the gates will receive a one-of-a-kind collectible Queen Kriegs scarf, courtesy of Car Maxx. There’s a special energy around what is the club’s final home game of 2025. Its also a moment to salute a player who shaped Gotham’s recent ascent.

Logistics & Local Notes
The Harrison Police Department is expected to issue a traffic bulletin given the early Fan Fest start and the nearby PATH transit access. While the police will provide escorts to residents, its always welcome information on when events will occur so residents can work their errands around scheduled games at the Sports Illustrated Stadium.

With the Fan Fest beginning at 12:30 p.m., gates will likely open ahead of the usual timing to accommodate the crowd, so fans are encouraged to arrive early and soak in the pre-match buzz.

Looking Ahead
While this marks Gotham’s 2025 home curtain-call, the venue is already eyed for more big events. The stadium, formerly Red Bull Arena and now Sports Illustrated Stadium, will host another international soccer fixture in November. It’s a reminder that, despite earlier comments from the stadium’s owner organization promising no further international games, global soccer continues to find its way to Harrison.
This Sunday isn’t just another regular-season match. It’s a celebration of Gotham’s season finale at home, a tribute to one of the club’s greatest players, and a full afternoon of fan-centric entertainment in the New Jersey metro area. Whether you’re a die-hard Gotham supporter or someone drawn by the festivities, arrive early, take part in the Fan Fest, grab your scarf, and enjoy what promises to be a memorable afternoon of women’s professional soccer.

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