Gotham FC and Bank of America: A Winning Partnership for Youth Soccer in America

On April 6, 2026, Gotham FC and Bank of America solidified a strategic partnership focused on expanding access to youth sports in underserved communities across New York and New Jersey. This collaboration designates Bank of America as the club’s Official Retail Bank and the presenting sponsor of Elevate Play, a community initiative launched by Gotham FC in October 2025.

This isn’t just a sponsorship; it’s a commitment to measurable community impact. Bank of America is providing crucial funding for access programming, while in return, the bank gains valuable brand integration, opportunities to reward clients, and a strong community presence throughout the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area.

Key Components of the Partnership

• Playworks Curriculum: Twenty school-based training sessions will utilize the proven curriculum from Playworks NY/NJ, an organization with over 30 years of experience.
• Complimentary Tickets: 10,000 complimentary tickets will be distributed to young people, educators, and caregivers for Gotham FC’s 2026 home matches at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ.
• Free Soccer Clinics: Free Bank of America Soccer With Us clinics will further expand access to the sport.

Alex Chang, Gotham FC’s Chief Revenue Officer, emphasized the long-term vision of the partnership: “Bank of America is a powerful partner in Gotham’s mission to expand access to the game and deepen our impact across New York and New Jersey. With their support of Elevate Play, we will continue reaching more young people and families with meaningful opportunities to engage in sport while growing on and off the pitch.”

Addressing a Critical Need

The partnership directly addresses a concerning statistic: only 1 in 5 children in New York and New Jersey meet daily physical activity recommendations. Furthermore, youth in the region average over five hours of screen time daily. For Bank of America, serving nearly 70 million U.S. clients, this partnership offers a tangible way to address a critical public health issue and demonstrate corporate social responsibility.

José Tavarez, President of Bank of America New York City, highlighted the synergy between the two brands: “We’re incredibly excited to partner with the championship-winning Gotham FC — a team that, like Bank of America, embodies excellence, teamwork, and a deep commitment to community.”

A Model for Community Engagement

Laurie M. Tisch, of the Illumination Fund, the founding philanthropic partner of Elevate Play, stated: “Addressing the play deficit in our communities requires sustained, collective investment in young people. Welcoming Bank of America as presenting sponsor will expand its reach and deepen its impact, giving more children access to the benefits of play.”

Gotham FC’s success on the field – winning championships in 2023 and 2025, and the Concacaf W Champions Cup in 2024-25 – adds to the appeal for sponsors. However, the true innovation lies in the club’s approach: building a community access initiative first, securing philanthropic funding, and then packaging it into a revenue-generating sponsorship.

Robin Grossman, Executive Director of Playworks NY/NJ, beautifully articulated the importance of play: “Play is a fundamental human need. When children play, they build resilience, compassion, and confidence.”

This model provides a blueprint for other clubs and facility operators. By demonstrating measurable outputs – ticket counts, training sessions, clinic reach – they can attract CSR-aligned corporate partners and expand access to sports for underserved youth. Bank of America’s commitment showcases the potential for financial institutions to invest in youth outreach programs when presented with concrete deliverables.

Source: Newsroom Bankofamerica