FAYETTE COUNTY, Ga. – U.S. Soccer announced today that the site of the new National Training Center will be in Fayette County, Ga.
The exact location of the National Training Center will be in Trilith in Fayette County and cover more than 200 acres of land.
According to a press release, the location met key criteria that included 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.
“We’re proud to be building a home that will support the future of soccer in America,” says U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone. “The National Training Center will help player development at the highest level and serve as a central destination to support and inspire players across the country as well as a hub of knowledge and resources for all our member organizations. Beyond its national importance, the National Training Center will be an institution firmly rooted in its community. U.S. Soccer will work with local officials and corporate partners on the ground to engage the vibrant communities in Fayette County and the Metro Atlanta area to build new career pathways to sport, connect with fans, and grow the soccer community.”
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 training, technology, and infrastructure. For players, the National Training Center will provide access to infrastructure for training, development, recovery, and performance analysis.
The commitment to build a National Training Center was made possible by a $50 million contribution from iconic businessman and philanthropist Arthur M. Blank, the co-founder of The Home Depot and Atlanta United owner. Mr. Blank has a longstanding history of giving back to and uplifting local communities—since 1995, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has granted more than $1 billion to various grantees.
Initial design plans for the National Training Center include projections for over a dozen soccer fields and over 100,000 square feet of indoor courts for all 27 U.S. Soccer national teams, including senior women’s and men’s, youth, and extended national teams. The National Training Center will also include more than 200,000 square feet of high-performance facilities, locker rooms, meeting rooms, and headquarters space for all U.S. Soccer employees.
While the National Training Center will be utilized by all 27 of U.S. Soccer’s National Teams, part of Blank’s contribution will specifically go towards the construction of facilities for U.S. Soccer’s nine ENTs, particularly in support of the cerebral palsy (CP), deaf, and Power Soccer national teams, including thoughtful design of locker rooms and training facilities to maximize accessibility for players.
The facility will include full ADA-compliant accessibility for visitors and players not only within the building but also throughout the training ground. In addition, sustainability will be at the forefront of the design process and the project team will pursue LEED certification of the center by incorporating energy-efficient systems, water reclamation, and protection of surrounding natural habitats.
According to the press release, the facility will create an estimated 400+ new jobs and represents an investment valued at more than $200 million.
