Marietta Approves Major Land Deal for Atlanta's New Women's Soccer Headquarters
Marietta, Saturday, 21 March 2026.
Marietta approved a $21 million land deal for Atlanta’s new NWSL headquarters. This remarkable $100 million infrastructure project highlights the skyrocketing commercial value of women’s professional sports.
A Strategic Land Swap and Economic Catalyst
On Thursday, March 19, 2026, the Marietta City Council officially approved a multifaceted land agreement with AMB Sports and Entertainment (AMBSE) [1][2]. The arrangement centers on a $21 million transaction that secures approximately 13.3 hectares for the yet-to-be-named National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) expansion club [1][2][3]. The site, located at 1033 Franklin Gateway SE, sits directly across from the Franklin Gateway Sports Complex and in close proximity to the training grounds of Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United [1][2]. In exchange for the expansive municipal footprint, the city of Marietta will receive $10 million from AMBSE owner Arthur Blank, alongside properties located at 866 and 876 Franklin Gateway [3].
Designing a World-Class Sporting Hub
The architectural vision for the new headquarters is highly ambitious. For the six months prior to the council’s approval, AMBSE collaborated with design firms Impact and Populous to draft the facility’s blueprints [2]. The resulting plans detail an expansive 3,530-square-meter building that will serve as the club’s operational heart [2]. The surrounding grounds are designed to feature four full-sized soccer pitches and two half-pitches, providing elite athletic infrastructure for the roster [2][3]. AMBSE has stated its intention to break ground as soon as possible, targeting a completion date ahead of the franchise’s inaugural season in 2028 [1][2].
Atlanta’s Expanding Soccer Footprint
This nine-figure infrastructure commitment aligns with the Atlanta metropolitan area’s broader ascent as a premier destination for global soccer [2][3]. The region boasts a rich recent history with the sport, having hosted the 2018 MLS Cup, the 2024 Copa America kickoff featuring Argentina, and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup [2]. Looking ahead, Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium is slated to host eight matches, including a semi-final, during the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup [alert! ‘Pending successful execution of scheduled 2026 events’] [2]. Arthur Blank emphasized that securing the Marietta property is a critical foundational step in providing the resources necessary to build a world-class NWSL organization on and off the pitch [2].