The Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center has opened south of Atlanta, establishing the city as a potential new hub for American soccer. This facility will host all 27 national teams, providing a shared home for training and development.
Key points
Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opens in Atlanta
Facility will host all 27 national soccer teams
Oguchi Onyewu emphasizes its importance for future players
Located south of Atlanta in Fayetteville, Georgia
Mentioned in this story
U.S. SoccerOguchi OnyewuAtlantaFayetteville
Is Atlanta the nation's new soccer hub? US training facility opens
Fayatteville, Ga. — Standing on a stage at the end of an expansive turf field, young soccer players Lucy and Reese donned their club jerseys as former U.S. Men's Soccer team player Oguchi Onyewu addressed the crowd.
"Standing here today, honestly, I'm extremely emotional. I can't (help) but think what something of this magnitude would have meant when I was coming through the system. From recreation to competitive, to pre-Pro to eventually the professional levels, we never had a shared home like this," Onyewu said. "The next generation will. Soccer players like Lucy and Reese here will be able to walk into this facility and not just see what's possible, but imagine the legacy they will build within these walls."
More than 400,000 square feet of gyms, locker rooms, meeting rooms and community spaces are combined with 17 playing spaces, including two regulation-size indoor fields.
The facility shares its name with Atlanta billionaire Arthur M. Blank, of Home Depot success, who was joined by investments from iconic Atlanta-based brands like Coca-Cola and Chick-fil-A, among others.
Take a look inside
The massive, 123-acre development includes 17 outdoor playing surfaces, 13 regulation natural grass fields, two artificial turf fields and two sand pitches for beach soccer.
There are also classrooms, meeting spaces, dining and more inside the facility.
Q&A
What is the significance of the new U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Atlanta?
The new training center represents a major step for American soccer, allowing all national teams to train and play under one roof, fostering development and unity.
Who is Oguchi Onyewu and what did he say about the new facility?
Oguchi Onyewu is a former U.S. Men's Soccer player who expressed his emotional connection to the new facility, highlighting its importance for future generations of soccer players.
Where is the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center located?
The training center is located south of Atlanta, Georgia, specifically in Fayetteville.
How many national teams will use the new training facility?
The facility will accommodate all 27 national teams, including both men's and women's teams.
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The new Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opened in Fayetteville, Georgia on May 7. It's the new home of both men's and women's soccer in the country.
The new Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opened in Fayetteville, Georgia on May 7. It's the new home of both men's and women's soccer in the country.
The new Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opened in Fayetteville, Georgia on May 7. It's the new home of both men's and women's soccer in the country.
The new Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opened in Fayetteville, Georgia on May 7. It's the new home of both men's and women's soccer in the country.
The new Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opened in Fayetteville, Georgia on May 7. It's the new home of both men's and women's soccer in the country.
The new Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opened in Fayetteville, Georgia on May 7. It's the new home of both men's and women's soccer in the country.
The new Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opened in Fayetteville, Georgia on May 7. It's the new home of both men's and women's soccer in the country.
1 / 7
Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opens in Atlanta
The new Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opened in Fayetteville, Georgia on May 7. It's the new home of both men's and women's soccer in the country.
1 / 7
Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opens in Atlanta
The new Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opened in Fayetteville, Georgia on May 7. It's the new home of both men's and women's soccer in the country.
2 / 7
Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opens in Atlanta
The new Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opened in Fayetteville, Georgia on May 7. It's the new home of both men's and women's soccer in the country.
3 / 7
Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opens in Atlanta
The new Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opened in Fayetteville, Georgia on May 7. It's the new home of both men's and women's soccer in the country.
4 / 7
Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opens in Atlanta
The new Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opened in Fayetteville, Georgia on May 7. It's the new home of both men's and women's soccer in the country.
5 / 7
Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opens in Atlanta
The new Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opened in Fayetteville, Georgia on May 7. It's the new home of both men's and women's soccer in the country.
6 / 7
Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opens in Atlanta
The new Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opened in Fayetteville, Georgia on May 7. It's the new home of both men's and women's soccer in the country.
7 / 7
Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opens in Atlanta
The new Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opened in Fayetteville, Georgia on May 7. It's the new home of both men's and women's soccer in the country.
"The vision for the National Training Center goes beyond the facility's physical borders to include the larger footprint. The decision to build just south of Atlanta, near the town of Trilith, where sports, media and entertainment intersect was both intentional and meaningful," the organization said. "Georgia is a place that aligns with U.S. Soccer's values, offering a strong quality of life, a diverse, growing community, a thriving business environment, and a history of philanthropic and education leadership."
The facility is expected to bring in $107 million annually, beginning in 2027, with $2.9 million going toward state and local taxes. More than 350 employees will work from the site, and the facility anticipates hosting more than 215,000 visitors each year.
Blank remembers his son on the field
After making his fortune through the co-founding of Home Depot, Arthur Blank has spent much of his time (and money) investing in professional sports in Atlanta and philanthropic endeavors.
Blank owns the Atlanta Falcons and the city's professional soccer team, Atlanta United.
"My journey with soccer goes back to when Joshua, my son ... (was) playing soccer at five years old at a very competitive level," Blank said during the opening ceremonies of the new facility that shares his name. "So following him for many, many years through that journey and seeing the energy of the kids on the pitch and seeing supporters, coaches, fans, etc., that kind of got me into the world of soccer."
Blank later met the commissioner of Major League Soccer, Don Garber, and the two worked to bring a professional team to Atlanta. In 2014, the MLS awarded an expansion team in Atlanta, with Blank as the owner, and Atlanta United hit the field as a team for their first match in 2017.
Blank was later approached by leaders in U.S. Soccer about supporting a training facility, with the possibility of putting it just outside his home city in the Peach State.
"It doesn't take me long (to get on board). I'm a visionary, I love dreams, I love dreamers. I love these young people that are here today and their dreams about being athletes at levels up that they'll continue to journey on," Blank said. "Within the first five minutes of our initial meeting, I knew I wanted to do this, I knew that we needed to do it."
Blank celebrated how all 27 of U.S Soccer's national teams will be brought together at the facility, from youth just starting their careers to professionals hoping to bring home world championships.
"There's the vision and the passion and the energy for the soul of soccer and the soul of what soccer brings together, which, to me, is young people," Blank said.
Just in time for the World Cup
The facility is opening just in time for the FIFA 2026 World Cup, which will make eight stops in Atlanta throughout the month-long tournament.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium) will host five group stage matches, a round of 32 match, a round of 16 match and one of the tournament's semifinal match.
Wednesday, July 1 — Group L winners vs third place from Group E/H/I/J/K - Shop tickets
Tuesday, July 7 — Match 86 winners vs Match 88 winners - Shop tickets
Wednesday, July 15 — tournament semifinal, teams TBD - Shop tickets
Irene Wright covers the FIFA World Cup as the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.
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