In 2028, Atlanta will welcome a new National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team, according to an announcement made on November 12. The news comes as soccer continues to gain traction in both Atlanta and across the United States.
Declan Abernethy, a lecturer in Georgia Tech’s School of History and Sociology, commented on the significance of this development. “This team steps into a void,” said Abernethy. “It’s nice to see women’s soccer be valued as a commercial spectacle and exciting for fans in Atlanta.”
Atlanta has historical ties to women’s soccer, having hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics where the U.S. Women’s National Team secured its first gold medal—a milestone that introduced many Americans to women’s soccer.
Since then, Atlanta’s soccer scene has grown significantly. Atlanta United began play in Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2017 and won the MLS Cup during its second season.
Arthur Blank, owner of both Atlanta United and the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, purchased rights for the NWSL expansion team for $165 million—almost triple what such an investment would have cost just two years ago. The total commitment is expected to exceed $330 million. Abernethy noted that these figures reflect serious intent: “It shows Blank is a smart business owner — he’s willing to invest in doing things the right way,” he said. “In five years, this team could be a leader in how it is run and how it spends money. We have such a strong legacy of professional women’s soccer in Atlanta and so much youth talent, it could get very competitive.”
Atlanta previously had professional women’s teams including the Atlanta Beat—which played at Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium—and later the Atlanta Silverbacks Women.
The region has since expanded its involvement with men’s professional teams like Atlanta United and ATL UTD 2 as well as robust youth programs. Arthur Blank has also contributed $50 million toward building the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center south of Atlanta in Fayetteville.
Kirk Bowman, Regents’ Entrepreneur and professor at Georgia Tech’s Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, discussed broader impacts: “It’s hitting at this opportune time with the U.S. training facility, sparks of excitement for the men’s national team, a strong run by the women’s national team with players from Atlanta, and six World Cup games being hosted in Atlanta next year. It could have a nice impact on the soccer ecosystem here,” Bowman said.
Bowman also highlighted community enthusiasm fostered by Atlanta United: Team flags are common throughout neighborhoods; transit options connect fans to downtown stadiums surrounded by new developments; there is also growing participation among female players across generations alongside ongoing success from ACC women’s teams.
“You’ve now had cohort after cohort of female soccer players of all ages, and families with mothers and daughters who have played soccer and are eager to go to games,” Bowman said. “If they brand it correctly, there’s a lot of enthusiasm and a built-in audience that loves the game.” He added that women’s professional sports are drawing larger audiences overall—the WNBA set record-high viewership last year with nearly three million viewers tuning into its most-watched game.
With no other nearby professional women’s teams competing for support, Abernethy suggested that while building economic stability takes time, more than five decades of local participation mean conditions may finally be favorable for lasting success.
