Two professional soccer matches in two nights at Sports Illustrated Stadium will bring heavy stadium traffic to Harrison streets on Thursday and Friday.

The Harrison Police Department is likely to issue traffic advisories for both evenings, according to the community site yourharrison.com.

New York City FC hosts Mexico's Club Necaxa on Thursday, Aug. 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the final Leagues Cup Phase One match. Less than 24 hours later, first-place Gotham FC welcomes the Kansas City Current on Friday, Aug. 14, at 8 p.m. in a nationally televised NWSL contest on Prime Video.

Residents should expect traffic restrictions and heavier congestion on South Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard, Cape May Street and the approaches to the stadium, particularly in the hours before and after kickoff each evening.

The Harrison Police Department uses overtime staffing to manage traffic control, pedestrian safety and parking enforcement during stadium events, according to yourharrison.com. The department, led by Chief Stanley Titterington, had not posted a formal advisory as of publication.

Back-to-back nights strain one-square-mile town

Harrison is a one-square-mile town, and its road network around the stadium absorbs thousands of fans each match night. The Aug. 7 Gotham FC home match against San Diego Wave FC drew 6,329 fans, according to Gotham FC's official recap. A similar crowd Friday, stacked on top of Thursday's Leagues Cup audience, means two consecutive evenings of restricted lanes and detoured traffic for residents along the South Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard corridor.

Thursday's NYCFC match is the third Leagues Cup game at the stadium in eight days, following matches Aug. 6 and Aug. 9. As we reported Aug. 6, that earlier cluster already strained neighborhood streets.

What residents should know

  • Thursday, Aug. 13: NYCFC vs. Club Necaxa, 7:30 p.m. kickoff (Leagues Cup)
  • Friday, Aug. 14: Gotham FC vs. Kansas City Current, 8 p.m. kickoff (NWSL, Prime Video)
  • Affected streets: South Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard, Cape May Street and stadium approaches
  • Plan ahead: Consider alternate routes both evenings, especially between 6 and 10 p.m.

Residents who spot traffic issues can contact the Harrison Police Department's non-emergency line.