Inside the $200M U.S. Soccer National Training Center Near Atlanta
Set to open in 2026, the state-of-the-art facility will serve all 27 national teams and hopes to transform American soccer.
The Future of U.S. Soccer Is Being Built in Georgia: Inside the $200M National Training Center
The next generation of American soccer players will soon have a world-class home base. The Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center—currently under construction in Fayette County, Georgia—is set to open in April 2026 and promises to be a game-changing facility for U.S. Soccer’s national teams, coaches, and development programs.
With a projected cost exceeding $200 million, this expansive 200-acre complex is more than just a training ground. It’s a bold investment in the future of the sport in the U.S.—designed to serve as both the headquarters and nerve center for all 27 U.S. Soccer National Teams, from senior squads to youth and extended national teams. 
A Home for to Grow American Soccer
U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone describes the project as a home for the entire soccer community: “This facility will reflect our ambition to be a global soccer power. It will be a home not just for players, but also for coaches, referees, administrators, and fans.”
The goal is to create a centralized environment where elite talent can be developed under one roof, with the infrastructure to support national-level training, performance analysis, and strategic planning.
Built for Champions: What’s Inside the Training Center
The National Training Center’s design—developed by the global architecture firm Gensler—emphasizes performance, innovation, and accessibility. When completed, the facility will include:
- Over a dozen full-size soccer fields for outdoor training and competition
- 100,000+ square feet of indoor courts for year-round play and development
- 200,000+ square feet of high-performance space, including:
- Locker rooms and team areas
- Meeting rooms
- Recovery zones and medical facilities
- Collaborative office space for U.S. Soccer staff
The complex is also designed to support the Extended National Teams, such as the Cerebral Palsy, Deaf, and Power Soccer teams—with ADA-compliant spaces to ensure all athletes have equal access to elite-level resources.
Sustainability is a key priority, with plans for LEED-certified design that includes energy-efficient infrastructure, natural habitat preservation, and water conservation systems.
Why Georgia? The Location Behind the Vision
Located just 22 miles south of Atlanta, the center will benefit from proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport—one of the busiest hubs in the world. The setting combines rural tranquility with convenient travel logistics for international teams and U.S.-based athletes alike.
“This isn’t just an investment in facilities—it’s an investment in people, in purpose, and in the future of American soccer.”
— Arthur M. Blank
Fueling the Future: Funding and Philanthropy
A significant portion of the project is being funded through a combination of philanthropic support and strategic financing:
- $50 million gift from Arthur M. Blank, the owner of Atlanta United and the Atlanta Falcons
- $200 million in municipal bonds issued by U.S. Soccer to fund construction and development
This financial backing shows the long-term belief in soccer’s potential in the U.S., particularly ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
READ: Gensler – Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center
Why Arthur M. Blank Stepped Up
Arthur M. Blank—philanthropist, co-founder of The Home Depot, and owner of Atlanta United and the Atlanta Falcons—has long been a champion of community-driven projects and the growth of soccer in the U.S.
His $50 million donation to the National Training Center reflects his belief in soccer’s power to inspire, unite, and elevate lives. For Blank, this investment isn’t just about elite athletes—it’s about building a lasting legacy for youth development, inclusion, and the future of the sport across America.
Stacking Up: How It Compares to the World’s Best
The National Training Center is designed to stand alongside the best in the world:
- St. George’s Park (England): Home to 28 English national teams; includes 14 outdoor pitches and state-of-the-art medical and training facilities.
- Clairefontaine (France): Legendary French facility that helped produce multiple World Cup-winning generations.
While slightly smaller in footprint than St. George’s, the U.S. center will rival its global counterparts in terms of technological innovation, sustainability, and inclusive design.
More Than a Building—A Movement
The new U.S. Soccer National Training Center is more than a facility—it’s a symbol of commitment. It represents an ambitious vision for the growth of soccer in the United States and a major step toward building a more cohesive, competitive, and inclusive national soccer culture.
With construction underway and a grand opening on the horizon, U.S. Soccer is sending a clear message: The future is here, and it’s being built—soccer is an American sport, too.
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