MARIETTA, Ga. — Atlanta United plans to expand and transform its Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground, highlighted by a two-story, 20,000-square foot development that will include numerous additions and improvements for player health and well-being, a state-of-the-art content production studio and dedicated space for its Academy and front office associates.
According to the team, the $23 million project begins this summer and pushes the total investment in the Marietta campus to more than $85 million. Connecting to the existing east wing of the facility, full project completion is expected by summer 2025.
"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, the owner and chairman of 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."
The expansion will nearly double Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground’s footprint to 50,000 square feet, in addition to more than 500,000 square feet of playing surface, inclusive of six full-length fields and two warmup areas.
It will also enable the club to dedicate more space in the existing structure to First Team player health and well-being, notably converting areas to aid in recovery, environmental adaptation and cognitive training. Enhancements will also be made to Truist Pavilion by renovating the second-floor flex space and by upgrading both first-floor locker rooms to meet professional standards.
The team said it will help efforts to host international clubs and federations for major soccer competitions arriving in Atlanta in the coming years with minimum disruption to the First Team’s day-to-day activities.
"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."
This annoucement adds to the "building boom" for soccer in metro Atlanta. Earlier this month, U.S. Soccer broke ground on its new national center. Atlanta recently hosted two matches in the SheBelieves Cup and will continue to host major international soccer matches, including several games in the 2026 World Cup.
