Metro Atlanta has long been known as the Hollywood of the South and the crossroads of the Southeast. Now, it adds another claim to fame: the home of soccer in America.
Since Atlanta United burst onto the MLS scene in 2017 — capturing the city’s first major professional sports title in decades with the 2018 MLS Cup — soccer has become a defining part of Atlanta’s culture. Mercedes-Benz Stadium holds multiple MLS attendance records and will host eight FIFA World Cup matches in 2026, the most of any U.S. city.
Now, Atlanta is taking the next step in its soccer journey: becoming the long-term home of the U.S. Soccer Federation headquarters and National Training Center, which will support 27 national teams — including the USMNT and USWNT.
A National Training Center with Global Ambition
Boosted by a $50 million donation from Arthur M. Blank, owner of Atlanta United and the Atlanta Falcons, the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center will span 200 acres and feature:
• More than a dozen outdoor soccer fields
• Over 100,000 sq. ft. of indoor playing space
• 200,000 sq. ft. of high-performance training, recovery, and administrative facilities
• Headquarters offices for all U.S. Soccer staff
The $200 million complex — set to open in Spring 2026 — will serve as the home base for U.S. Soccer’s youth, extended, and senior national teams.
“This new home for U.S. Soccer and the entire American soccer community is the physical embodiment of our ambition as a soccer nation,”— JT Batson, CEO, U.S. Soccer
Economic Impact and Community Growth
The project is projected to create 400 new jobs and inject $200 million in capital investment into the metro area. Each of Atlanta’s eight FIFA World Cup 2026 matches is expected to generate an economic impact equivalent to hosting a Super Bowl — making soccer one of the city’s most powerful new growth engines.
Deloitte, serving as the official adviser to U.S. Soccer, led a multiyear national search to find the ideal home for the Federation. The firm’s data-driven approach identified Atlanta as the clear winner — a city that checked every box for accessibility, infrastructure, and alignment with U.S. Soccer’s long-term values.
“Atlanta rose to the top as the best option,” Batson said. “Its international airport, climate for year-round play, and global connectivity made it ideal. But equally important were its diverse community, thriving business environment, and shared vision for growth.”
Deloitte Joins the Squad
Beyond its advisory role, Deloitte is also a sponsor of the USMNT, USWNT, and all Youth and Extended National Teams, including programs for players who are deaf, have cerebral palsy, or use power chairs. Deloitte also serves as presenting sponsor of the SheBelieves Summit, supporting the continued advancement of women’s sports.
Deloitte research projects women’s soccer revenue to reach $820 million globally in 2025, second only to basketball — a sign of the sport’s accelerating commercial growth.
Closer to home, Deloitte is investing in community development through its work with Soccer in the Streets, a nonprofit that builds mini soccer fields near MARTA transit stations across Atlanta.
During Deloitte’s annual Impact Day on June 6, volunteers built picnic tables, garden beds, and water tanks at several Soccer in the Streets locations — one of 1,200 community projects hosted across 100 U.S. cities.
Looking Ahead
From the MARTA station fields to the future U.S. Soccer campus, Atlanta’s investment in the game runs deep. The city’s role as host, innovator, and community leader underscores a simple truth: soccer’s rise in America runs through Atlanta.
Deloitte encourages Atlantans to get involved — whether by volunteering, supporting local matches, or participating in community programs — and to help build the next chapter of the beautiful game in the beautiful city.
Author: Quique Lopez
Quique Lopez doesn’t just cover soccer—he deconstructs it with the precision of a veteran and the wit of a storyteller. A former player who sees the pitch as both a tactical chessboard and a cultural stage, Quique balances sharp critiques with a genuine love for the game’s soul. He’s as quick to call out the ego of a superstar as he is to find the hidden beauty in a local derby.