FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — In a move that promises to reshape the landscape of U.S. soccer — and to deepen metro-Atlanta’s role in the sport — U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) is building what is slated to become the national epicenter of the game in America: the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center (NTC).
The development is part of metro Atlanta’s preparations for the FIFA World Cup and beyond.
What the Center Will Include
- The center will occupy roughly 200 acres in Fayette County, just outside of Atlanta — a location chosen in part for its proximity to Atlanta’s main airport and downtown.
- On the grounds: more than a dozen full-sized outdoor fields, along with indoor courts, training turf fields, and sand/beach-soccer areas — designed to accommodate the 27 national teams (men’s, women’s, youth, and extended teams).
- The facility will also house more than 200,000 square feet of performance areas, high-performance training and analysis zones, lockers, meeting rooms, and USSF’s administrative headquarters.
- Indoor space includes around 100,000 square feet of courts to support training, futsal, extended-team practice, and other activities.
- To serve players, staff, visiting teams, and community programs, the center will also feature facilities such as dining and shared spaces. Food and beverage services will be provided by Levy when the center opens.
Timeline & Progress: From Breakground to Beam Raising to Topping-Out
- The project was officially announced in December 2023 — with Fayette County selected as the site for the new headquarters and training center.
- Groundbreaking occurred April 8, 2024, and at that ceremony the center was named after philanthropist and Atlanta sports-owner Arthur M. Blank, who contributed $50 million toward the build.
- The project is estimated at a cost of over $200 million, with more than 400 new jobs expected to be created in the area.
- On June 6, 2025, the NTC celebrated a topping-out ceremony, marking the completion of the structural framework.
- According to USSF and project leaders, the facility remains on track to open in Spring 2026, coinciding with the lead-up to the men’s FIFA World Cup 2026.
Why Fayetteville — and Why Now
Metro Atlanta was selected over several potential sites for several reasons:
- Convenient access to transportation, including Atlanta’s major international airport — important for national-team travel.
- The presence of vibrant, growing communities around the site — including the nearby mixed-use development and community hub Town at Trilith (adjacent to Trilith Studios) — offering potential for community engagement, housing, commerce, and local support.
- An opportunity to unite all facets of the sport (from elite athletes to grassroots coaches and referees) under one roof: for the first time, USSF will have a single, dedicated national home.
- The timing matches a surge in soccer interest across the United States — particularly as the U.S. prepares to host matches for the 2026 World Cup — making it a strategic moment to centralize operations and build infrastructure that can sustain long-term growth.
What It Means for Atlanta, Fayette County, and American Soccer
- For the Atlanta region and Fayette County, the NTC represents a major economic and civic investment — bringing hundreds of jobs, infrastructure improvements, and a global-scale sports facility to the community.
- For players, coaches, and referees across the country, having a dedicated facility offers consistency, improved training conditions, and access to top-tier amenities that match what elite soccer programs in Europe enjoy.
- For fans, youth soccer clubs, and local communities, the center holds potential beyond elite teams: it could become a hub for youth development programs, coaching clinics, community outreach, and more inclusive access to soccer.
- On the national stage, the NTC is a statement of intent — signaling the growth and ambition of U.S. Soccer as it aims to compete globally and produce world-class talent starting right here in Georgia.
What’s Next — And When You Might Get to See It
Construction continues through 2025. With the structural framework complete and outdoor fields already under development, project leaders say the facility is still on track for Spring 2026.
As opening draws closer, expect USSF to begin sharing more details about public events, tours, and youth-community programming tied to the NTC. For Atlanta and Fayette County, while the fields may open to national teams first, the long-term vision touches much wider — from grassroots soccer to social impact.
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