Georgia is officially the new home of U.S. Soccer now that the groundbreaking has taken place for their new headquarters and National Training Center. The event took place on Monday, April 8 in Fayette County.
It was announced at the groundbreaking that the center will be named in honor of Arthur Blank, the businessman and co-founder of Home Depot who brought soccer to Atlanta as the owner Atlanta United FC, who won the 2018 MLS Championship.
Blank was on hand for the groundbreaking, as was Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.
“Georgia is proud to welcome U.S. Soccer as they build their new home here in the Peach State,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Today’s groundbreaking on the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center is just the latest milestone on our path to being a worldwide sports hub.”
U.S. Soccer announced in early December 2023 that the site of the new National Training Center will be located in Fayette County as part of another step in the Federation’s ambitious strategic plan to grow soccer across the country. The location of the National Training Center, which will directly impact each of U.S. Soccer’s five strategic pillars, was made following a competitive process after looking at nine different locations within the wider Metro Atlanta area.
The exact location of the National Training Center is in the Town of Trilith, located in Fayette County and covers more than 200 acres of land. The location met key criteria U.S. Soccer was looking for in their new campus, including accessibility and proximity to Atlanta’s major international airport as well as downtown, optimal climate for year-round programming, the ability to drive economic impact locally, and the opportunity to be part of a diverse, growing community. Trilith is a master-planned residential and mixed-use community with a school, restaurants, retail and office space. The Town at Trilith is adjacent to Trilith Studios, a major film and television production studio in Fayette County, which has brought the world’s attention to this south-metro Atlanta community and sparked tremendous investment in the local area. Trilith Studios is home to blockbuster films like “Avengers: Endgame” and “WandaVision.” Established in 2014, Trilith Studios is one of the largest production facilities in Georgia and one of the largest purpose-built studios in North America.
All 27 of the U.S. national teams, which include men’s, women’s and youth teams, as well as coaching and referee training will be housed on the site. The headquarters and training center is a more than $200 million investment in Fayette County that is expected to create more than 400 jobs and is slated to open by the time Atlanta hosts some of the matches of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup.