US Soccer is building a $250m National Training Centre on a 200-acre site in Fayette County, Georgia, which it hopes will become the best facility of its kind in the world. The centre, partly funded by Atlanta sports team owner Arthur M Blank, is scheduled to open in April, just ahead of the men's World Cup.
The project aims to consolidate all 27 US national teams under one roof, ending the current practice of sourcing different venues for each international camp. Technical director Matt Crocker, formerly of the FA, has drawn inspiration from St George's Park, as well as training grounds at Tottenham, Manchester City, and Clairefontaine in France.
The facility will include 13 grass pitches, three artificial pitches, a futsal pitch, two beach courts, indoor facilities, and locker rooms. However, there are no plans for on-site accommodation. The centre will also focus on developing players, coaches, and referees, with youth fields positioned below the senior team pitch to inspire aspiring players.
Chief commercial officer David Wright described the centre as a 'gold standard' combining sporting and non-sporting elements. The location in Atlanta was chosen after a comprehensive study citing climate, proximity to Europe, corporate support, and other factors. The federation expects hundreds of staff to relocate from Chicago, boosting the local economy.
