ATLANTA, GA–On Friday, US Soccer announced their intentions to build a new training facility for all 27 of its national teams as well as set up headquarters in Atlanta. A site for both is expected to be announced in January. US Soccer has been based in Chicago since 1991, while this will be the first time the USA will have a permanent training center for its national teams.
Atlanta United owner Arthur Blank will fund $50 million towards the project. In addition to the National Training Center, a part of Blank’s donation will specifically be used to provide facilities for US Soccer’s nine Extended National Teams (ENTs), particularly in support of the Cerebral Palsy (CP), Deaf, and Power Soccer National Teams.
Blank will also fund soccer-focused non-profits in the Metro Atlanta while supporting initiatives that grow the game across the country, most notably women’s youth national team camps and women’s coaching and mentorship initiatives. The National Training Center will also host youth tournaments and conferences in addition to serving as a “gathering place for the broader soccer ecosystem,” per a Federation statement.
“America’s top athletes deserve the best when it comes to preparing them for competition on the global stage and I’m thrilled U.S. Soccer has chosen metro Atlanta as its new home,” said Blank at a news conference.
“Atlanta’s incredible passion for soccer, corporate community and unmatched infrastructure make this a natural home for the National Training Center, and I’m very confident our community will help America’s finest soccer players compete on a global level like never before.”
Atlanta played host to the 1996 Summer Olympics while the University of Georgia in Athens hosted the gold medal matches that year. Atlanta is one of the sites to host matches for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup. Atlanta United currently lead Major League Soccer in average attendance at 46,504 per match–more than 12,000 per match more than second place Charlotte.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp noted: “Georgia is proud to welcome U.S. Soccer’s new headquarters and looks forward to working alongside them to build a new home for American soccer players and fans. For many decades, sports have been an essential part of Georgia’s history and culture. Events like the 1996 Olympics laid the groundwork for current and upcoming major attractions like the 2026 FIFA World Cup. From hosting visitors to training the next generation of athletes, we’re glad that this project will create new opportunities for local businesses and hardworking Georgians.”
“A National Training Center is such an important step forward for U.S. Soccer, most notably for what has been a vital piece of the puzzle, and that’s our Youth National Teams,” said US Soccer Hall of Famer Julie Foudy. “The importance of youth development cannot be understated or under-supported. Our Youth National Teams need the resources, the time in camps together, and the opportunities for these players to reach their full potential. This training center will be a big lift for this next generation of players to provide an immersive and comprehensive training environment to help our young players excel.”
As mentioned before, US Soccer is currently pursuing potential sites for the National Training Center and is conducting due diligence to assess their feasibility. With rising external investment and thriving local economies, all sites currently being evaluated would make excellent locations for the future National Training Center. The final decision on location for the National Training Center will be made in January of 2024.