Hard Rock Casino Metropolitan Park - 2026 News Archive

Hard Rock Metropolitan Park | New Casino Details

March 24, 2026

Since receiving approval for a casino license last December, the $8 billion Hard Rock Metropolitan Park project is moving forward with active preparations and multiple permit filings. These filings have revealed new details about the project.

PERMIT FILINGS
Site preparation permits were issued in February. Soon afterwards, construction crews were seen in the Citi Field parking lots removing asphalt, curb cutting and clearing the site. Infrastructure and utility permits were issued to begin the realignment of Shea Road to Roosevelt Avenue. And, foundation and test pile permits were issued for geotechnical work and soil stability studies starting this spring.

CASINO
The filings show the casino gaming floor will be 286,208 square feet containing 5,000 slot machines, 375 live-dealer tables, and a 18,381-square-foot sportsbook and bar.

HOTEL
Recent design filings show the top of the hotel tower will be architecturally-styled to symbolize the New York City skyline in a similar way to the New York Mets logo. There will be 1,000 rooms including 393 luxury suites. Permits have been issued to install huge solar panels across the hotel roof.

PARKING GARAGES
There will be three multi-story parking garages. One will be the 8-level Southfield Garage near Roosevelt Ave and Seaver Way. This garage is scheduled to open by October 2027.

The second garage will be the Northfield Garage built over Shea Road near Northern Blvd. A covered public walkway will connect to the Willets Point station and cross through the center of the Northfield garage above Shea Road and ending directly at The Park, a 25-acre green space.

The third will be the Taste of Queens Garage located on multi-levels above the Taste of Queens Food Hall.

THE PARK - "The Beatles" Historic Marker
The Park will be a 25-acre public park and green space. Within The Park will be a one-acre "Great Lawn" area containing the site of second base at the old Shea Stadium. An historical marker will designate the spot as where "The Beatles performed in 1965".

CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE - TARGET DATES

➤ October 14, 2027: Scheduled date for completion of the Southfield Parking Structure.

➤ March 31, 2028: Scheduled date for completion of the Northfield Parking Structure and its integrated covered walkway connecting the 7-train to The Park.

➤ 2028 - 2029: Construction priorities are the casino, Hard Rock Live concert venue and the hotel tower.

➤ Late 2029: Landscaping and final touches on The Park (the 25-acre green space), including the installation of the "Beatles Second Base" landmark and athletic fields.

➤ Early 2030: MTA station upgrades at Mets-Willets Point will be completed.

➤ June 30, 2030: The target date for the Grand Opening of the entire Hard Rock Metropolitan Park district.

Hard Rock NYC Construction | Update Feb. 2026

February 26, 2026

Construction workers and equipment were seen this month at the future site of the $8 billion Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Metropolitan Park next to Citi Field in Queens. Work crews were performing very preliminary steps in preparation of the site prior to an official groundbreaking. According to a Metropolitan Park spokesperson, the work that is underway does not "qualify" as a groundbreaking, and that date has not yet been determined.

The building site for Hard Rock Metropolitan Park is on the parking lot that sits west of Citi Field. Construction crews are clearing the parking lot and removing some of the surrounding curbs.

A spokesperson for Metropolitan Park released this statement about the work activity:

"Preparation for construction is now underway, bringing us one step closer to creating 23,000 jobs, 25 acres of new public park space, and the sports and entertainment district Queens deserves. Our commitment to this community has guided us from day one, and will continue to be our priority as we realize this vision."

- Karl Rickett, Metropolitan Park's spokesperson

There were no specifics mentioned about the construction impact on parking for Mets fan when the baseball season returns on March 26.

"Metropolitan Park construction is designed to minimize disruption as much as possible. Our team is working closely with the Mets to ensure a seamless experience for fans, neighbors, and the local community."

- Karl Rickett, Metropolitan Park's spokesperson

About Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Metropolitan Park

The casino resort at Metropolitan Park is a partnership between Steve Cohen, owner of the New York Mets, and Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

The Hard Rock casino will feature 5,000 slot machines, 375 table games and 30 poker tables. Multiple dining venues will include a "Taste of Queens" food hall and a Hard Rock Cafe, entertainment venues will include a 5,650-seat Hard Rock Live for live music concerts, and a Hard Rock hotel will feature 1,000 rooms, a conference center and event space.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Metropolitan Park will open in phases before being completed in 2030.