NEWS: Atlanta United announce $23 million training ground expansion plans
The growing soccer infrastructure in Atlanta keeps gaining momentum.
Atlanta United announced on Thursday plans to expand Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground. The project, which is expected to be completed by the summer of 2025, will included additions of several different areas of focus.
Highlighting the upcoming arrivals to the training ground is a 20,000-square foot development that will house a state-of-the-art content production studio, space dedicated to improving player health and well-being, and a place for the Academy players and front office associates to operate.
A $23 million investment will be injected into the project, bringing the total cost of the training ground to over $85 million.
“When we launched Atlanta United, we set out to ensure the club had everything it needed to be successful, and part of that was to have a state-of-the-art training facility to serve as the club’s home,” said Arthur M. Blank, Owner and Chairman, Atlanta United. “At its opening, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground was instantly the gold standard of MLS training facilities and has been routinely emulated by expansion teams that have since joined the league. Our intention has always been to further develop the campus in Marietta and that time has arrived. This evolution of the Training Ground is a credit to all our soccer people and the broader organization that have been part of driving the growth and development of our soccer assets and our position in the global soccer universe.”
According to the club, this development will nearly double the training ground’s footprint to 50,000-square feet.
One of the goals of this new project and making improvements to the training ground is to attract even more international events to the region.
“Considering the tremendous momentum behind MLS and soccer in Atlanta, and ahead of some of the world’s most prestigious international tournaments coming to the United States in the next few years, we have a generational opportunity to create a lasting impact on the sport of soccer in our region,” Atlanta United President and CEO Garth Lagerwey said. “This investment will make Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground one of the premier soccer facilities in the world, boasting state-of-the-art amenities for our players and the flexibility to host several teams on campus at once. We consider this another significant step for Atlanta becoming the epicenter of soccer in North America.”
Here are a few more details that will be featured in the project, as announced by the club’s release:
Overall, the two-floor expansion will also make a significant impact in areas of youth development, content development and media distribution. Featuring nearly 4,000 square feet dedicated to ATL UTD 2 and the club’s five Academy teams, the new space will have a dedicated gym, locker room and office space for its six development teams and 20-plus staff members. Additionally, the Academy will receive a dedicated classroom, better equipping the club’s educational staff and its academic partner Atlanta International School for youth players pursuing high school diplomas.
The announcement of these plans comes on the heels of ground breaking in Fayetteville of U.S. Soccer’s new national training center. Less than 10 years ago, Atlanta didn’t have an MLS team, now they are the home of the USSF and feature one of the most state-of-the-art training facilities known to man. The shift towards the city becoming a focal point for soccer in America is something to behold.