Belson Stadium

{{Infobox venue

| name = Belson Stadium

| nickname =

| fullname =

| logo_image = St johns wordmark red 2015.png

| logo_size = 70

| image = Belson View.jpg

| caption = The stadium in 2019

| type = Soccer-specific stadium

| currentuse =

| address = 8000 Utopia Parkway

| city = Queens, NY

| country = United States

| location =

| coordinates =

| broke_ground = February 1, 2001

| opened = {{start date and age|September 21, 2002}}

| closed =

| demolished =

| owner = St. John's University

| operator = St. John's University

| surface = FieldTurf

| construction_cost = $6 million

| architect =

| structural engineer =

| general_contractor =

| former_names =

| tenants = {{plainlist|

St. John's Red Storm (NCAA) teams:
men's and women's soccer (2002–present)
Professional teams:
New York Pancyprian-Freedoms (USASA) (2005–present)
New York City FC II (MLSNP)
(2022–present)
F.C. New York (USL Pro/NPSL) (2011–2012)
F.A. Euro (USL2) (2013–2018)
New York Cosmos (NASL) (2015–2016)
New York Rumble (MLU) (2015)

}}

| seating_capacity = 2,168

| dimensions =

| website = {{url|https://redstormsports.com/sports/2018/6/12/facilities-stjo-belson-stadium-html|redstormsports.com/belson-stadium}}

}}

Belson Stadium is a 2,168-seat soccer-specific stadium located at Utopia Parkway and Union Turnpike in Queens, New York City, on the campus of St. John's University. It is the home of the St. John's Red Storm men's and women's soccer teams. The stadium is unique in that it is built on an elevated platform over a mostly underground parking garage to save space in the dense urban environment of Queens.{{cite web|title=Belson Stadium|url=https://redstormsports.com/sports/2018/6/12/facilities-stjo-belson-stadium-html.aspx|website=St. John's University Athletics|access-date=3 November 2016}}

Overview

The stadium is named in honor of Maxine and Jerome Belson. Mr. Belson was a graduate of St. John's law school, a member of the university's board of trustees and a past benefactor to the university. The Belsons donated $6 million for the construction of the stadium and an additional $5 million was raised for the parking garage and landscaping.{{cite web|last=Rhoades|first=Liz|url=http://www.qchron.com/editions/north/st-john-s-university-dedicates-new-belson-soccer-stadium/article_30aba26b-88a0-5a46-8269-65893c8b824f.html|title=St. John's University Dedicates New Belson Soccer Stadium|publisher=Queens Chronicle|date=September 26, 2002|access-date=August 9, 2017}}

The stadium is also the home field of the New York Pancyprian-Freedoms of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League of the United States Adult Soccer Association.{{cite web|url=http://www.nypancyprianfreedoms.com/|title=New York of Pancyprian-Freedoms|publisher=New York of Pancyprian-Freedoms|date=August 10, 2017}}{{cite web|last=Parker|first=Graham|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/09/sports/soccer/new-york-cosmpolitan-league-pancyprian-freedoms.html|title=Amateur Soccer in New York, Built on Immigrant Pride|work=The New York Times|date=June 9, 2017|access-date=August 10, 2017}}

From 2013 to 2018, the stadium was the home field of F.A. Euro New York of USL League Two (USL2).{{cite web|url=http://www.uslpdl.com/page/show/3155151-fa-euro-new-york|title=FA Euro New York|publisher=uslpdl.com|access-date=August 10, 2017}}

On November 13, 2016, the stadium hosted the Soccer Bowl, the championship game of the North American Soccer League (NASL), between the New York Cosmos and the Indy Eleven. The Cosmos won on penalties 4–2 in front of a crowd of 2,150.{{cite web|last=Wagner|first=Jon|url=https://www.nysportsday.com/2016/11/14/modern-dynasty-cosmos-win-8th-nasl-title-2nd-straight-and-3rd-in-4-years/|title=Modern Dynasty: Cosmos Win 8th NASL Title (2nd Straight and 3rd in 4 Years)|website=NY Sports Day|date=November 14, 2016|access-date=August 10, 2017}} The Cosmos also played several U.S. Open Cup matches at the stadium in 2015 and 2016.{{cite web|last=Nutting|first=Jake|url=http://www.empireofsoccer.com/belson-stadium-to-host-cosmos-revolution-match-49727/|title=Belson Stadium to host Cosmos, Revolution match|website=Empire of Soccer|date=June 16, 2016|access-date=August 10, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619074816/http://www.empireofsoccer.com/belson-stadium-to-host-cosmos-revolution-match-49727/|archive-date=June 19, 2016}}

On February 24, 2022, it was announced the New York City FC II of MLS Next Pro would become tenants of Belson Stadium as part of a partnership with St. John's University.{{cite web|url=https://www.newyorkcityfc.com/news/new-york-city-fc-announces-venue-schedule-for-nycfc-ii-expands-partnership-with-|title=New York City FC Announces Venue & Schedule for NYCFC II, Expands Partnership with St. John's University|publisher=New York City FC|date=February 24, 2022|accessdate=July 24, 2024}}

References

== External links ==

{{official website}}

{{coord|40.724307|-73.792838|region:US-NY_type:landmark_scale:5000_source:Wikimapia|display=title}}

Category:F.C. New York

Category:St. John's Red Storm soccer

Category:Jamaica, Queens

Category:MLS Next Pro stadiums

Category:College soccer venues in the United States

Category:Soccer venues in New York City

Category:Sports venues in Queens, New York

Category:Sports venues completed in 2002

Category:Ultimate (sport) venues

Category:2002 establishments in New York City

Category:New York City FC II