By OkayGoal 
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced in November that it had begun the process of adding its 17th franchise. The franchise will begin play in 2028 as the league works to integrate the 2026 expansion teams, the Boston Legacy FC and the Denver Summit FC, this season.
Atlanta will serve as the team’s home, and the team will play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The city is known for its passionate and loyal women’s sports fan base, as it is home to two other successful professional women’s sports teams, the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream and Major League Volleyball’s Atlanta Vibe.
“From its passionate fan base to its deep sports culture, Atlanta has all the ingredients to become one of the league’s most dynamic markets,” said NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman in a statement.
The team will be owned by Arthur Blank, who paid a record $165 million to acquire the franchise. It will be operated by his team at AMB Sports and Entertainment (AMBSE). AMBSE focuses on optimizing the fan experience and developing emerging sports technology. The company also currently manages the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and MLS’s Atlanta United, so the company is extremely familiar with the city’s sports culture and fanbase.
Along with owning the team, Blank has committed to developing a training ground for the club and its staff. His team at AMBSE is dedicated to creating a championship environment with facilities that mirror its intentions.
“Our clear goal is to compete for championships beginning in 2028 and serve as a source of pride for fans in Atlanta, Georgia, and the league for decades to come,” Blank said in a statement.
Currently, AMBSE is in the early stages of developing a name and brand identity for NWSL’s 17th franchise. The team name and identity will be created with input from Atlanta’s large soccer fanbase.
While Blank and AMBSE are building up the franchise in Atlanta, people have speculated that the NWSL will add an 18th team before 2028. The last three NWSL expansion years have featured two teams, so it is likely that another city will be getting a new professional women’s soccer team in the near future.
Featured image via mercedesbenzstadium.com.