New York City FC announced on Apr. 8 the launch of a new Night Leagues site at Forte Prep High School in Glendale, Queens, in partnership with Verizon. The initiative aims to provide free soccer programming, mentorship, and off-field development opportunities for young people in local communities.
The Night Leagues program offers a safe and structured environment for youth during evening hours. It uses soccer as a platform to foster growth, connection, and opportunity among participants. With the opening of the Glendale site, New York City FC and its nonprofit foundation, City in the Community (CITC), will continue their efforts to create spaces where local youth can play soccer, build confidence, and receive support both on and off the field.
City in the Community will recruit participants from Forte Prep High School and deliver free soccer sessions every Saturday evening throughout the year. By expanding Night Leagues to this new location, New York City FC and Verizon aim to increase access to soccer while also providing relationship-building opportunities and tools that help young people succeed beyond sports.
“Night Leagues is about creating consistent, safe spaces paired with high-quality programming and increased access to the game,” said Bailee Eaglin, City in the Community Executive Director. “We’re grateful for partners like Verizon who bring that vision to life by ensuring programming is paired with access to a committed network of mentors, helping young people build healthier futures through soccer.”
In addition to sports activities, Verizon will offer mentorship programs and professional development resources intended to support career preparation and college readiness for participants. “Expanding Night Leagues to Glendale allows us to show up for these students in a meaningful way, offering the kind of mentorship and resources that help shape their future,” said Justin Toman, Verizon’s VP of Partnerships.
Verizon’s collaboration with New York City FC reflects both organizations’ commitment toward empowering New Yorkers through impactful community programs like Night Leagues.
