MORROW, GA. – Clayton County is gearing up to welcome a new development to its community.
Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS) announced that The Arena at Southlake, metro Atlanta’s first purpose-built mid-size arena, is nearing completion, with a grand opening targeted for March 2026.
The $117 million, 268,000-square-foot facility is a transformative investment in education, community, and economic growth across the Southside.
Through a partnership among the Clayton County Board of Education, Clayton County Public Schools, Clayton County Government, and key community partners, an affordable, high-quality venue was originally conceived to host graduation ceremonies for local students.
The Arena at Southlake, located near Southlake Mall in Morrow, has evolved into a premier, revenue-generating destination that can host concerts, sporting events, and major community gatherings, supporting tourism, job creation, entertainment industry training, and long-term economic growth for Clayton County while delivering an exceptional, no-bad-seat experience.
At the heart of The Arena at Southlake is an 8,000-seat arena, designed for graduations, concerts, sporting events, conventions, conferences, and large-scale community gatherings. Unlike mega-arenas built for professional sports franchises, its scale prioritizes proximity, sightlines, and audience engagement, creating a more connected, elevated experience for patrons, performers, and presenters alike.
Complementing the arena is a suite of premium and flexible amenities, including:
· A Rooftop Terrace and Conference space for receptions, celebrations, and community activations
· Event Lawn for outdoor events such as small shows and intimate gatherings
· A VIP Lounge and bar area inside the venue, offering enhanced hospitality and guest experiences
· Multiple meeting rooms and breakout spaces to support conferences, civic engagement, and educational programming
· A student-centered content studio and recording studio designed to elevate learning through media production, music, digital storytelling, and creative expression.
Chairman of the Clayton County Board of Education, District 9, Benjamin Straker, said the opening of the facility represents a transformative milestone for the school district and for Clayton County as a whole.
“What was once only a vision is now a tangible investment in the future of our students and our community. We, the Board, offer our gratitude to those who designed and constructed our world-class venue, and we extend a deep appreciation to our county residents whose investment through E-SPLOST transformed a shared vision into reality,” he said. “This bold collaboration will benefit not only our students, but our community and our entire region for generations to come.”
The arena will bring over 300 jobs, according to Straker.
Interim Superintendent and CEO of Clayton County Public Schools Douglas Hendrix Sr. said the Arena at Southlake reflects disciplined leadership and responsible stewardship on behalf of Clayton County’s taxpayers.
“As a Clayton County Public Schools facility, it was secured to serve our students, families, and community. We acknowledge the collective leadership that helped bring it to fruition. Our commitment is to run it with unity, integrity, and focus on the people it was built to serve,” he said.
Also, the property is run by The Right Productions (TRP Now, Inc.), an award-winning event production, venue management, and operations company specializing in concerts, festivals, and large-scale special events.
CEO of TRP Now, Inc., Shahida Mausi says that at TRP Now, their commitment is to serve students and the broader community while delivering excellent experiences at every event, every time.
“By innovating and collaborating with best-in-class partners, our goal is to create exceptional cultural moments that attract audiences near and far. Premium execution is our foundation: from seamless coordination to premium guest services, we deliver the highest standards because this community deserves it,” she said. “Looking ahead, we are focused on growth, both as a company and as a catalyst for Clayton County. This arena shows what is possible with forward-thinking leadership and a dedication to service.”
The Arena at Southlake’s educational mission is the Junior Achievement (JA) Delta Discovery Center of Clayton County, an immersive learning hub created in partnership with Junior Achievement of Georgia, Delta Air Lines, and The Delta Air Lines Foundation.
This collaboration underscores the importance of corporate partnership in expanding access, exposure, and opportunity for Students.
Through hands-on simulations focused on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and career readiness, JA BizTown, JA Finance Park, and the JA Dream Accelerator will provide students with practical experiences that connect classroom learning to future pathways beyond high school.
Clayton County Commissioner Chairwoman Alieka Anderson-Henry said the arena represents a historic and transformative partnership made possible by a $10 million investment from Clayton County Government’s 2021 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST).
This investment, she says, helped bring an ultramodern facility to Clayton County, one that generates new revenue and expands opportunities in a community where the world lands and opportunities take off.
“As a lifelong advocate for expanding access and opportunity, I commend the Clayton County Public School District for its vision, and I am proud of this collaborative effort,” she said. “The Arena will strengthen our local economy, attract new investment, and provide young people with unparalleled experiences that prepare them to lead, both locally and beyond.”
Poised to become a regional landmark, The Arena at Southlake marks a new era for the Southside, one defined by access, excellence, and opportunity.
“We want to provide opportunities for the students at Clayton County Public Schools, and our purpose is clear, by any and every means necessary. This is for our children, this is for the community that loves them, and this is how you build a better tomorrow,” Straker said.
He also says Clayton County has never been the land of the lost.
“Anyone who thought we were was sadly mistaken. We are people who finally made up our minds to come together and make a difference in the South Metro Atlanta area,” he said.