Gotham FC, the 2025 NWSL champions, is breaking ground on a historic project that will give the club its first purpose‑built training complex. Located in Whippany, New Jersey, the facility represents a major milestone for a team that has spent years training in shared, often makeshift spaces.
The 27,000‑square‑foot complex will house three full‑size grass fields, one of which is heated for year‑round use. In addition, the club plans a fourth indoor field that would allow uninterrupted play during inclement weather, pending permit approval.
Designing a Space for Recovery and Community
Beyond the pitches, the building includes a 3,000‑square‑foot gym, a hydrotherapy room, a dedicated player recovery area and a private lounge where athletes can unwind. The layout was shaped by extensive input from players and coaching staff, ensuring that every detail meets the team’s performance and wellness needs.
Yael Averbuch West, the club’s first-ever college draft pick, says the design will weave elements of the club’s past into the new space, honoring the journey that brought Gotham FC to this point. Long‑time staffer Mandy Freeman, who has spent a decade with the club, notes how the facility will finally give the first‑team women’s squad a home that reflects its stature.
COO Kari Fleischauer spearheaded the project, overseeing everything from budgeting to community outreach. Rose Lavelle, a star midfielder, has spoken about the relief of no longer commuting between separate sites for training, medical treatment and recovery, a logistical hurdle that has defined the team’s nomadic existence.
The complex is envisioned as more than a training ground; it will serve as a community hub for youth soccer in the region. Local schools and clubs will be invited to use the fields, creating a pipeline that ties grassroots participation to the professional team’s success.
Financially, the $35 million project is privately funded and secured under a 15‑year lease that begins on September 1. This arrangement frees the club from reliance on municipal facilities and gives it full control over the space’s development and operation.
On the field, Gotham FC’s recent trophy haul — two of the last three NWSL championships and the 2024‑25 Concacaf W Champions Cup — has amplified expectations. The new facility is seen as a tangible statement of the club’s ambition to win as many trophies as possible and to set a new standard for women’s professional soccer.
The move also places Gotham FC alongside partners such as Angel City and New York Red Bulls in a growing ecosystem of women’s sports investment, while the design firm SHoP Architects brings a modern, athlete‑centric vision to the build.