AMB Sports and Entertainment (AMBSE) today broke ground on a nearly 33-acre site in Marietta to begin the construction of a world-class training ground for NWSL Atlanta 2028.

Blank Family of Businesses Owner and Chairman Arthur M. Blank, Marietta Mayor R. Steve Tumlin, NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman and leaders across AMBSE and the City of Marietta were on hand for the ceremonial first dig to begin the project.

The City Council of Marietta, with a unanimous 7-0 vote, recently approved the sale of the property to AMBSE. Located at 1033 Franklin Gateway SE across from the Franklin Gateway Sports Complex, the property provides space for AMBSE to construct a training ground where the club will build an approximate 38,000 square-foot facility and four full fields and two half-pitches for the club to train.

Schematics of NWSL Atlanta 2028 Training Ground, as well as photos from the groundbreaking can be found here: ​Folder icon NWSL Atlanta 2028 Training Ground Groundbreaking Assets

AMBSE has been engaged with Impact and Populous for more than six months on the design and development of this new training ground and plans to officially open the training ground ahead of the club’s debut season.

The construction of a world-class training ground for NWSL Atlanta 2028 represents an investment of more than $100 million in the area. When the project is completed, AMBSE will have invested approximately $200 million in the Franklin Gateway corridor with the construction of the Atlanta United and NWSL Atlanta 2028 facilities and related infrastructure.

With another major infrastructure investment in the beautiful game, metro Atlanta continues to solidify itself as the epicenter of soccer in the United States. Over the past decade, the city and its metro area has become home to a Major League Soccer club (Atlanta United), an MLS Next Pro team (Atlanta United 2), and the Arthur M. Blank US Soccer National Training Center and headquarters. Atlanta has also hosted and won the MLS Cup (2018) and played host to the MLS All-Star Game (2018); the 2024 Copa America kickoff game featuring Argentina and Lionel Messi; and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup during that time. This summer, Atlanta and Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be a featured host venue to eight games, including a semi-final, in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Soccer’s growth and momentum in Atlanta is unmatched in America.

Supporters interested in becoming Founding Members of NWSL Atlanta 2028 can secure their spot to receive VIP status to exclusive events, access to pre-sale opportunities, exclusive content and access, and guaranteed priority and pricing by placing a deposit on nwslatlanta2028.com.

Statement from Arthur M. Blank, Owner and Chairman, Blank Family of Businesses

“Today is an exciting milestone in our club’s history. I want to thank the many people who have been part of this journey from Marietta Mayor Tumlin and the City Council of Marietta to the AMBSE leadership team and to Commissioner Berman and the entire NWSL. Commissioner Berman and her team have built the NWSL into the greatest women’s soccer league globally, and we are thrilled to be part of it. We will commit our resources and experiences to develop NWSL Atlanta 2028 into a championship-level club, and I look forward to celebrating more important milestones in our club’s history in the near future.”

Statement from R. Steve Tumlin, Mayor, City of Marietta

“On behalf of the City of Marietta, this is a joy. It’s a joy working with the team at AMBSE. We are delighted to be part of two special projects here on Franklin Gateway. There is an idiom, ‘lightning doesn’t strike twice.’ It has for us here in Marietta. Down the road, 10 years ago Atlanta United came, and then several years later, we were thrilled to hear the National Women’s Soccer League was coming to the city. What a thrill and what a journey we’ve had.”