Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground
Overview
Location: 861 Franklin Gateway SE, Marietta, GA 30067. 33-acre site. Originally opened in 2017. Serves as headquarters for Atlanta United FC’s First Team, Second Team (ATL UTD 2), Academy, technical staff, and front office.
Ownership & Operations
Owned and operated by Atlanta United FC (AMB Sports and Entertainment / Arthur Blank). Not publicly accessible for non-Atlanta United programs.
Specifications
- 6 full-length pitches: 4 natural grass, 2 FieldTurf synthetic
- 2 warmup areas
- 500,000+ sq ft total playing surface
- Original building (2017): 30,000 sq ft, $60M investment
- Expansion (Sept 2025): 20,000 sq ft two-story addition, $23M ($25M cited in some sources)
- Emory Healthcare Studio — centerpiece of expansion
- Total investment: $85M+
- Indoor features: tactics room, classroom, full-service kitchen/cafeteria, 2 gyms, 2 hydrotherapy plunge pools, environmental adaptation chamber, cognitive training room, recovery room, sauna
- Dedicated spaces for First Team and 6 youth development teams
Investment Thesis
Benchmark for what world-class youth soccer facilities look like. Not accessible or acquirable, but sets the standard in the Georgia market. The $85M+ investment demonstrates the level of commitment MLS clubs bring to facility development — independent clubs cannot compete at this level, which reinforces the argument for consolidation and institutional investment in the independent club market.