Address: West 27th Street &, 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001
Website: Chelsea Park Page
Hours Of Operation:
6 am to 11 pm, 7 days a week
There’s nothing quite like soccer in the Big Apple. That’s why we’ve partnered with multiple pickup leagues across New York City to bring you all more field options! These leagues host their matches year-round on dozens of unique pitches across NYC, and as part of this partnership, we are bringing Plei App games to their spaces in order to fill in on days that the leagues aren’t running.
That being said, these blogs will answer all the questions that you usually ask before you head out to play some ball, like…
Is it a 6v6, 7v7, 8v8 or 9v9 field? Artificial grass or natural? What are the exact measurements? Where should I park? What subway train do I take and where do I get off? Are there good food/drink options nearby? Are there any other cool things to do or see in the surrounding area?
Fear not: all these questions and more will be answered within each blog, so you can confidently suit up, head out and have fun playing some pickup footy, New York style. 🗽😎
Of course, we’re talking about none other than Chelsea Park, which dates all the way back to 1910. Boasting everything from basketball courts, baseball diamonds, handball courts, and soccer fields to historic landmarks, nature pathways and playgrounds, you’ll be far from bored here.
To this day, the park remains one of the most well-known and widely used in lower Manhattan, let alone the entire borough.
Keep reading to learn more about this field, and some important tips that you’ll want to keep in mind before you pull up. Click below to navigate to any particular section that you’re interested in! 👇
We know you’re probably reading to learn about the footy aspects of Chelsea Park, so let’s get right into it.
The 113-year-old park is home to arguably one of the most spacious and high-quality turf fields in all of New York City. The full length of the field of the pitch can be used for classic 11v11 games. Meanwhile, it can also be split up into three (3) separate quadrants for 7v7 matches for those that prefer a slightly smaller-sided experience.
Chelsea Park’s soccer field is home to many locals who pull up every day for some pickup action. Throughout the week, you’ll also notice the presence of a number of different local leagues that play at different public parks across NYC.
If there’s one thing to take away from this section, it’s that the beautiful game and Chelsea go hand in hand, whether it’s in West London or West Manhattan.
The Plei App first hosted a pickup game at Chelsea Park on September 20, 2023, and we continue to play here today.
Car people of NYC, you’re in luck. There’s actually a 24-hour public parking lot just a block southeast of Chelsea Park. If you don’t want to walk the short distance, your next and only other option is to parallel park on any of the bordering streets (West 27th, 9th, West 28th, and 10th).
For those arriving by subway/train, the closest stations are just a few blocks away.
34 St - Penn Station (A, C, E)
23 St (C, E)
The nearest bus stops are on opposite sides of the park; we listed them below for your convenience:
10 Avenue & West 27 Street (M11)
9 Av/W 28 St (M11)
If you’re making your way to Chelsea Park via Citi Bike, there’s a dock on the west end of the park that borders 10th Avenue.
The field at Chelsea Park is fully fenced all the way around, so you’ll want to look for gate openings at certain points. So you don’t end up having to walk aimlessly around the field trying to get in, we listed these points below.
For starters, you can check out everything else that Chelsea Park has to offer besides the soccer fields.
If you’re interested in history, feel free to stop by a World War I memorial located on the east end of the park that borders 9th Avenue. Here you’ll find the Chelsea Doughboy Statue, a 14-foot monument depicting a soldier in the midst of battle.
After making this stop and assuming you’ve experienced most - if not all - of Chelsea Park, a pop-art gallery is just a block away. Kasmin Gallery is known for exhibiting pop-art legends like Robert Indiana and photographer David LaChapelle.
So, if you’re into modern sculpture and artwork, this is probably your ideal location.
Chelsea is actually Manhattan’s designated art district, so you’ll probably end up wandering upon other cool galleries and artistic works if you decide to take a stroll.
If you don’t mind the extra distance, you can always head west towards the Hudson River and adventure around Hudson River Park. In this immediate area, you’ll find Pier 62 through Pier 64 as well as Chelsea Waterside, a recreational park that also features its very own soccer field.
Although Chelsea is best known for its surplus of eye-catching sculpture art and design, the neighborhood certainly hasn’t abandoned good cuisine. Here are three spots that we think are worth checking out after you’ve finished playing a tough 7v7 or 11v11 game at Chelsea Park.
Avocado oh smoothie (About 3 blocks south of the park. Just take 9th Avenue, it’ll be on your right.) - The place where you can awaken your senses and energize your day, according to their website. This tiny shop offers delicious juices, smoothies and acai bowls. Online ordering is available.
Chop-Shop (Also 3 blocks south from the park, this time on the opposite end of the block. Take 10th Avenue and it’ll be on your left.) - Casual Pan-Asian dining within a stylishly streamlined interior or out on the wood-plank patio.
Shukette (A little bit further down from Avocado oh smoothie, but on the same block, this time on the left hand side. Take 9th Avenue.) - Bustling Middle Eastern destination with chef's tables turning out kebabs & seafood specialties.
Dating all the way back to 1910, Chelsea Park remains one of the most popular and widely used parks in lower Manhattan. With basketball courts, baseball diamonds, handball courts, multi-purpose asphalt surfaces, and plenty of space to sit down and take a break, be sure you bring your best game.
The park has a strong place in the history of the neighborhood. Its first playground was built over a century ago and designated as an open space for the residents of the crowded tenement district. In its early days, the newly formed Board of Recreation organized competitions that drew thousands of spectators and participants. It was in this hub of activity that the Chelsea Memorial Committee donated the centerpiece of the park, the World War I memorial known as the Chelsea Doughboy Statue, which still stands today.
