Arthur Blank, the owner of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United, is expanding his sports empire in Atlanta with the recent announcement of the city being granted an expansion franchise in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The new NWSL team, set to launch in 2028, will join Blank’s existing teams in playing at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The addition of Atlanta’s NWSL team will make it the league’s 17th team, following recent expansions in Boston and Denver. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman highlighted Atlanta’s vibrant fan base, diverse sports culture, and potential to be a dynamic market for women’s soccer.
To accommodate the NWSL club, modifications will be made to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with attendance capped at around 28,000. The team will be managed by Blank’s AMB Sports and Entertainment group, which also oversees the Atlanta Drive Golf Club of TGL, an indoor golf league associated with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
In addition to the NWSL franchise, Blank’s investment in women’s professional soccer includes establishing a training facility in Atlanta. AMBSE is actively seeking team leadership and a name for the new NWSL team.
Expressing excitement about the venture, Blank emphasized his commitment to building a top-tier women’s soccer organization that competes for championships and fosters pride among Atlanta and Georgia fans. He believes that Atlanta’s soccer enthusiasts will warmly embrace the new club, much like they have with Atlanta United.