U.S. Soccer planted its flag in Georgia soil Monday, launching the construction of a sprawling new National Training Center and Headquarters in Fayette County. The ceremony at Trilith, a hop, skip, and a jump away from Atlanta, signaled the start of a project that’s been loudly touted to accelerate the sport’s growth in a state already basking in its soccer craze. This move comes fresh off the heels of the U.S. Women's National Team drawing a record-setting crowd in Atlanta for the SheBelieves Cup just two days prior.
The planned facility is set to be a behemoth of soccer excellence. With more than 200 acres of land, it aims to quickly become the go-to spot for training and competition for all of U.S. Soccer's 27 teams. The complex, according to a report by Atlanta News First, is anticipated to house over a dozen soccer fields, 100,000 square feet of indoor courts, 200,000 square feet of high-performance amenities and enough office space to accommodate the full complement of U.S. Soccer staffers.
Gov. Brian Kemp has gone to bat for the project, heralding the construction as a major economic home run for the Peach State. He's promised a $228 million investment into the center that's set, according to the governor, to create more than 400 jobs. "For me, it’s an honor celebrating another monumental moment for the future of soccer and soccer in Atlanta," Arthur Blank, owner of the Falcons and Atlanta United and the namesake of the new center, told the crowd at the event, as documented by Atlanta News First.
Residents and local officials alike are amped up over what U.S. Soccer's expansion could mean for the area. "We are super excited with what U.S. Soccer is gonna bring to our community," gushed Niki Vanderslice, the president and CEO of the Fayette County Development Authority, in a chat with 11Alive. The site was reportedly picked for its prime location near a major international airport, the promise of year-round training in Georgia's climate, and the potential to pump up the local economy.
As the center gears up to open its doors before the 2026 World Cup, the hammers and shovels in Fayette County aren't just building a soccer facility; they're laying down roots for the future of American soccer, and Georgia's ready to play host to the beautiful game's growing ambition.
