Business icon and philanthropist Arthur M. Blank has pledged $50 million to U.S. soccer in support of building a state-of-the-art training facility and headquarters, investing millions into youth, women and extended soccer as part of a wider effort to drive the growth of soccer across the country, develop winning teams and give back to the community.
U.S. Soccer plans to construct the nation’s first-ever designated National Training Center in the Atlanta area. The facility will serve as headquarters for the U.S. Soccer Federation, creating a central hub for the entire soccer community, including coaches and referees, to access best-in-class training, technology and infrastructure to promote successful and sustainable playing environments throughout the country. For players, the National Training Center will provide the best environment, guaranteeing uninterrupted access to elite infrastructure for training, development, recovery and performance analysis – cultivating expertise and excellence in the sport on an international level.
As Georgia continues to develop as a hub for major sporting events and international soccer matches, officials from Georgia expressed great enthusiasm about the National Training Center.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp noted: “Georgia is proud to welcome U.S. Soccer’s new headquarters and looks forward to working alongside them to build a new home for American soccer players and fans. For many decades, sports have been an essential part of Georgia's history and culture. Events like the 1996 Olympics laid the groundwork for current and upcoming major attractions like the 2026 FIFA World Cup. From hosting visitors to training the next generation of athletes, we're glad that this project will create new opportunities for local businesses and hardworking Georgians.”
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said of the news: “Atlanta is a sports town—and just like soccer in America, we are dynamic, diverse and passionate. There is no better place for this sport to call home during such a critical time. On behalf of the people of Atlanta, we are extremely honored to welcome U.S. Soccer to our community and look forward to this new partnership and our city becoming even more of a soccer destination than it already is.”
The National Training Center's exact site/location will be known by January 2024.
To read the full article in Federation news, click here.
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