At 2025 Queens Business Expo, Spotlight Shines on Queens as the New Crown Jewel of Sports and Entertainment

Yesterday, more than 2,000 business leaders, entrepreneurs, and local officials gathered at Citi Field for the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Queens Business Expo, the borough’s premier networking and business development event. With more than 140 exhibitors and a high-profile panel featuring representatives from the New York Mets, Hard Rock International, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, and New York City Football Club (NYCFC), this year’s Expo celebrated Queens’ emergence as a national hub for sports, entertainment, and economic opportunity.
The day was highlighted by a panel discussion titled “Queens: The New American Crown Jewel of Sports & Entertainment,” which explored the major investments and initiatives transforming the Willets Point neighborhood and surrounding areas. Panelists discussed how the area is evolving into America’s preeminent sports and entertainment district, home to legendary institutions like Citi Field and the USTA National Tennis Center—and soon, to transformative developments like Etihad Park and the proposed Metropolitan Park project.

“With Citi Field, the USTA National Tennis Center, a new soccer stadium on the way, and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine 50 acres of underutilized land—Queens is positioned to become the beating heart of New York’s sports, entertainment, and hospitality economy,” said Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “These are catalytic projects that will create thousands of good-paying union jobs and cement Queens’ status as a world-class destination.”

The central focus of the discussion were Etihad Park and Metropolitan Park – two projects that will transform the Willets Point neighborhood and bolster the local economy. Etihad Park, which will open for the 2027 season, will be the first fully-electric Major League Soccer stadium in the country. The stadium will anchor a broader development that includes community-centered public space, affordable housing, retail, a school, and a hotel—all part of Mayor Eric Adams’ Willets Point Transformation Plan. In addition, the US Open’s grand unveiling of a three-year, $800 million renovation plan for the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium and the historic Billie Jean King National Tennis Center grounds was an important part of the conversation.  Projected to be completed ahead of the 2027 tournament, the self-funded initiative — the single largest investment in US Open history — is a reflection of tennis’ immense growth over the past five years.
There was also tremendous excitement about the potential of Metropolitan Park, a proposed $8 billion casino and entertainment complex from Hard Rock International and Mets owner Steve Cohen. The project would deliver a dynamic new district featuring a full-scale casino, restaurants, a hotel, a “Taste of Queens” food hall, and a 25-acre public park. The development would also bring critical infrastructure upgrades, including a reimagined Mets-Willets Point subway station and improved pedestrian and vehicular access.

“Queens has long been the gateway to all the excitement of the New York City area, but is now even more of a destination in its own right thanks to the many amazing attractions opening here in 'The World's Borough,'" said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "Queens truly is the place to be for those seeking an outstanding sports or entertainment experience. So I deeply thank the Queens Chamber of Commerce for shining a light on our borough's emergence as a sports and entertainment hub."

"This is about more than entertainment, it’s a real investment in our community with lasting impact. East Elmhurst and Corona are becoming catalysts for economic growth, drawing new business and opportunity to Queens. I’m proud to be at the forefront of it. We’re not just imagining a better future; we’re building it, together. What Assembly District 35 is creating is something all of Queens can be proud of," said Assemblymember Larinda Hooks.
"This is what community-first development looks like. From soccer, tennis, and baseball to public parks to affordable housing, Queens is now a hub for sports and entertainment and an example of what community partnership can bring. I'm proud to work alongside my colleagues and community members to bring this vision to life," said Council Member Francisco Moya.

"NYCEDC mission is to help build a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy across the five boroughs of New York City – and Queens is helping lead the way with investments in Long Island City, Jamaica, Far Rockaway, and more,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President & CEO Andrew Kimball. "One only needs to look at the Willets Point development, where the city is making a generational investment that will bring the largest new affordable housing development in over 40 years, not to mention new public open space, hotel, much needed infrastructure and the city’s first soccer specific and fully electric stadium that will be 100 percent privately financed, making Queens the premier sports and entertainment hubs in New York City."
"Queens has always been the cultural heart of New York, and now it’s getting the destination it deserves. Working hand-in-hand with NYCFC, the Mets, USTA, and community partners, we’re creating a once-in-a-generation district that turns parking lots into parks and a community first vision into lasting impact," said Michael Sullivan, Chief of Staff, Point72.
"Queens has long been a stage for sports and entertainment, from the World’s Fair to the US Open to world-class concerts. Hard Rock is proud to build on that legacy by partnering with local leaders to create a new era of hospitality, live events, and economic opportunity. Together, we’re creating a district that honors the borough’s rich history while shaping its future,” said Sean Caffery, President of Casino Development & Chief of Staff, Hard Rock International.

“It is an honor to become members of the Queens community with Etihad Park under construction and on schedule to open in 2027,” said Brad Sims, New York City FC CEO. “We’re excited to be part of this emerging sports hub that will be a truly world-class and unmatched destination within New York City and the entire country.”
“From a new sports hub to creating thousands of jobs and billions in economic impact, we couldn’t think of a better place than Queens to build our future home,” said Jennifer O’Sullivan, New York City FC COO. “Over the past few years, we’ve started working closely with our future neighbors and cannot wait to fully move into Etihad Park following its completion in 2027.”

“The USTA is proud to call Queens home, and our $800 million investment in the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center reflects our deep commitment to this community. As the US Open continues to grow into a larger and larger global cultural event, we’re excited to help transform the borough into a world-class destination for sports, entertainment, and economic opportunity,” said Danny Zausner, Chief Operating Officer, USTA National Tennis Center, Inc.

In addition to networking and the panel discussion, special guest Mookie Wilson, beloved Mets legend and 1986 World Series hero, took hundreds of photos with attendees, emphasizing the strong bond between the Mets and the Queens community.
The Queens Business Expo is the largest event of its kind in the borough, offering unmatched opportunities for networking, collaboration, and business-to-business growth. This year’s event featured companies and service providers from across the borough and beyond, showcasing Queens’ position as a key driver of the region’s economic vitality.

Press release available for download, below.

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