NYCFC v Club Puebla @ Sports Illustrated Stadium Tues., July 29, 2025

On Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at 8 p.m., New York City FC will host Mexican club Club Puebla at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, as part of the 2025 Leagues Cup tournament. Although NYCFC is the designated home team, the club will once again play across the Hudson River at the stadium formerly known as Red Bull Arena—home of their archrivals, the New York Red Bulls.

NYCFC has long been vocal about its discomfort with calling the Harrison-based venue home. The club typically splits its home matches between Yankee Stadium and Citi Field in New York City, but scheduling conflicts and the demands of Leagues Cup regulations have forced them to utilize their rival’s field yet again. Relief is on the horizon for NYCFC fans, as the team is currently constructing its very own soccer-specific stadium in the Willets Point area of Queens, New York. The project, slated to open in 2027, will boast a capacity of 25,000 seats and is projected to cost $780 million. The new stadium is seen as a major victory for fans who have long campaigned for a permanent home and an authentic matchday experience within the five boroughs.

Founded in 2013 and officially joining Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2015, New York City FC has quickly become a staple of the American soccer landscape. Owned by the City Football Group (which also owns Manchester City), NYCFC has consistently fielded competitive teams. One of the most intense storylines surrounding the club is its bitter rivalry with the New York Red Bulls, known as the Hudson River Derby. The rivalry has only intensified due to stadium-sharing situations, making every NYCFC "home" match at Red Bull Arena a source of tension and irony.

Mexican Club Puebla

Their opponent, Club Puebla, hails from Puebla City in central Mexico and competes in Liga MX, the top tier of Mexican football. The club was founded in 1944 and has a proud history, having won multiple domestic titles. Puebla plays its home games at the Estadio Cuauhtémoc, which seats approximately 51,726 fans. The stadium, one of the largest in Mexico, is known for its modern architecture and its enthusiastic fan base. Puebla has seen varying levels of success in recent years but remains a strong competitor in Liga MX tournaments and international events like the Leagues Cup.

The Leagues Cup

The Leagues Cup is an annual, month-long tournament that began in its current format in 2023 as a collaboration between Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX. All MLS and Liga MX clubs participate, making it a World Cup-style tournament with group stages followed by knockout rounds. The tournament is designed to foster stronger competitive ties between the two leagues while providing high-level international matchups for fans across North America. The Leagues Cup winner earns a spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, which can lead to a berth in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Harrison Police Traffic Bulletin

Due to the anticipated influx of fans, the Harrison Police Department has issued a Traffic and Parking Bulletin for the July 29 game. Drivers and residents should expect delays and detours in the area surrounding the Sports Illustrated Stadium from approximately 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.. Temporary no-parking zones and road closures will be enforced on South Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard, Cape May Street, and other nearby roads. Fans are encouraged to take public transportation via the PATH train or carpool when possible. Updates and advisories will be posted on the Harrison Police Department's Facebook page..

As the Leagues Cup continues to grow in stature, this cross-border showdown between NYCFC and Club Puebla offers fans a thrilling mix of passion, rivalry, and international soccer at one of the region’s premier venues—even if it still doesn't quite feel like "home" for NYCFC.

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