Professional soccer is coming to Long Island, and a new stadium is, too.

The Island F.C. — a new independent club that will compete in MLS Next Pro , the professional development league of Major League Soccer — was launched by principal owner and chairman Mitchell Rechler and team president Peter Zaratin at a news conference Tuesday morning at the Long Island Children’s Museum in Uniondale. They also revealed plans to build a privately funded 2,500-seat stadium (scalable to 5,000) at Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale.

The team is set to debut in March 2027 with preseason games that begin in January, only six months after the 2026 FIFA World Cup concludes at MetLife Stadium. It is estimated to be a $25 million venture — about $20 million for the complex, which will also serve as a

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