NWSL Awards Expansion Franchise to Atlanta

Atlanta has been awarded the 17th National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) franchise. The expansion was announced at an event on Tuesday evening featuring a night of entertainment, live performances, popcorn, hot cocoa, and empowering moments for female athletes of all ages who have led, competed, and inspired through sport. Presented by Arthur M. Blank Sports and Entertainment, the celebration was a testament that when you “empower her,” you “Inspire all.”

Arthur M. Blank, owner of Atlanta United, the Atlanta Falcons, and now Atlanta’s NWSL club, said that he’s learned from the women in his life that true greatness comes from using your achievements to help others rise along the way. 

“As we launch this new club, I’m deeply inspired by the opportunity to give young girls across Georgia, including my own granddaughters, the chance to see what’s possible by watching these world-class athletes right here in Atlanta, Georgia, our home,” Blank said. “It’s my hope that this club will ignite something powerful in everyone who watches, especially young people, and light a spark that says, ‘if they can do it, so can I.’ This is not just about seeing the athletes on the pitch. It’s about recognizing the dedication, the resilience, and the teamwork it takes to get there.”

Other featured speakers at the celebration included basketball analyst and ESPN reporter Andraya Carter, former Soccer in the Streets player Lauren Dubois, NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, and United States Soccer Federation President Cindy Parlow Cone.

“I will now get to watch female athletes chase their dreams on the pitch right here in the ATL. So somewhere in Atlanta, right now, could be the world’s next great soccer star who will come of age knowing she can train here, play here, and win right here in Atlanta,” Dickens said. 

The announcement comes at a time when all eyes are on the city as it prepares to host eight 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, including a semifinal match. The continued investment in soccer, from Atlanta United FC to the incoming high-performance Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center, shows that the sport and what it means to people is deeply appreciated. And with the boom of women’s sports from media coverage to financial investment, the club is another step forward in the success of the game.

“I’ve been so lucky to have the best seats in the house to some of the most exciting women’s sports events, and it has been absolutely electrifying across the country. Women’s sports are redefining what’s possible in the athletics business and culture,” Carter said. 

When the new team takes the pitch in 2028, Blank said the club will represent the next generation of leaders, change makers, and athletes, and that the spirit of its supporters will build a club that stands for “excellence and greatness.”

“Our NWSL players will be role models who embody excellence, determination, and the unshakable belief that anything is possible,” Blank said.