Arthur Blank, the owner of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United in Major League Soccer, has expanded his sports portfolio with the recent awarding of a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) franchise to Atlanta. The new NWSL team, set to debut in 2028, will join the existing teams in Atlanta playing at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Atlanta’s entry into the NWSL marks the league’s expansion to 17 teams, following recent additions in Boston and Denver. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman expressed excitement about Atlanta joining the league, citing the city’s vibrant fan base and rich sports culture as key factors in making it a dynamic market for women’s soccer.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium will undergo modifications to accommodate the NWSL club, with an attendance cap set at around 28,000 spectators. The team will be operated by Blank’s AMB Sports and Entertainment group, which also oversees the Atlanta Drive Golf Club and the development of a training facility for the NWSL team in the city.
Blank emphasized his commitment to building a top-tier women’s soccer organization in Atlanta, aiming to compete for championships from the inaugural season in 2028. He highlighted the city and state’s passion for soccer, expressing confidence that the new NWSL team will be embraced by fans and become a source of pride for the community and the league for years to come.
