Atlanta United FC Training Ground: A Local Guide to the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground

If you live in Atlanta and follow soccer, you’ve probably heard about the Atlanta United FC Training Ground, officially known as the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground. It’s one of the premier soccer facilities in the country and a key part of the city’s growing sports identity.

This guide explains what the training ground is, where it is, who uses it, and what Atlanta residents and visitors can realistically expect to do there.

What Is the Atlanta United FC Training Ground?

The Atlanta United FC Training Ground is the club’s primary practice and operations complex. It’s where:

• The Atlanta United first team trains and prepares for MLS matches
• Atlanta United 2 (the club’s second team) and academy teams practice and play some matches
• Club staff and technical operations are based

It’s designed as a high-performance soccer environment, with multiple full-size fields, player facilities, fitness and rehab areas, and club offices. While it’s a professional facility first and foremost, it also represents how deeply soccer is being built into Atlanta’s sports culture.

Where Is the Atlanta United Training Ground Located?

The training ground is located in Marietta, just northwest of central Atlanta, and remains closely tied to the broader Atlanta metro community.

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground
Atlanta United FC Training Facility
Address:
Typically listed as being near the Franklin Gateway corridor in Marietta, GA, with convenient access from I-75 and close to the Northwest Corridor of metro Atlanta.

Because sports facilities sometimes adjust entrances, parking patterns, or access points, it’s best to confirm the exact street address and access instructions using:

• Official Atlanta United FC communications or mobile app
• Event-specific details when youth academy games, friendlies, or community events are announced

If you’re driving from Downtown Atlanta, expect roughly a 20–30 minute drive in normal traffic via I-75 North, with extra time during rush hour or on big match days at nearby venues.

Who Uses the Atlanta United Training Ground?

H2: Professional and Academy Teams

H3: Atlanta United First Team

The first team, which plays at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, uses the training ground for:

• Daily training sessions
• Tactical and video work
• In-house fitness and recovery programs

If you see Atlanta United players on TV, this is where they’re doing most of the behind-the-scenes work.

H3: Atlanta United 2

Atlanta United 2 (ATL UTD 2), the club’s reserve side, also operates out of the training ground. This team:

• Helps develop younger players for the first team
• Provides match minutes for players returning from injury or sharpening form

You may occasionally see ATL UTD 2 matches or scrimmages scheduled at fields connected to the training facility or in nearby venues.

H3: Atlanta United Academy

Atlanta United runs a youth academy system that uses the training ground as a core hub. Local youth players from around metro Atlanta and the Southeast train here as part of age-group teams aiming toward professional levels.

For Atlanta families, this academy structure is one of the main ways talented young players get exposure to a professional environment without leaving the region.

Is the Atlanta United Training Ground Open to the Public?

This is one of the most common questions from local fans.

In normal day-to-day operations, the training ground is not a walk-up, open public park. It’s a professional training facility with controlled access.

However, there are a few ways Atlanta residents and visitors might be able to access it under specific circumstances:

H3: Scheduled Open Training Sessions

From time to time, the club may host open training sessions or fan-focused events where:

• Fans can watch part of a practice
• There are organized autograph or photo opportunities
• Limited numbers of supporters are allowed on-site

These are usually announced in advance via club channels, ticketing systems, or supporter groups. They may require:

• Free but ticketed entry, or
• Season ticket membership or special invitations

H3: Academy and Youth Events

Families of academy players may have access during:

• Academy matches
• Scrimmages
• Tryout- or ID-event-related activities

Any such access is usually tightly controlled and pre-registered, so it’s not something you can typically just show up for.

H3: Community and Partner Events

On occasion, the club or its partners might host community-oriented events at or connected to the training ground, such as:

• Youth soccer clinics
• Community outreach sessions
• Sponsor-related activities

Details for these are usually published well in advance, and spots can fill up quickly.

How to Visit or See the Training Ground as a Fan

If you live in Atlanta and want to experience the Atlanta United FC Training Ground in some way, these are realistic options:

1. Follow Official Atlanta United Announcements

The most reliable way to know when fans can visit is to follow:

• Official Atlanta United communication channels
• Emails or notifications if you’re a season ticket member or supporter group member

Look for mentions of “open training,” “fan event,” “open house,” or “academy showcase.”

2. Attend Public Events Nearby

Even if you can’t enter the facility itself, you can still experience the Atlanta United atmosphere by:

• Attending Atlanta United matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Watching ATL UTD 2 or academy matches when they’re played at public-friendly venues
• Participating in local youth soccer events in the metro area connected to the club

3. Respect Site Security and Privacy

The training ground is not a public park. For your own safety and out of respect for players and staff:

• Do not attempt to enter the facility without permission
• Use designated entrances and follow event-day instructions
• Follow posted rules on photography, recording, and autographs, which may vary by event

What Makes the Atlanta United Training Ground Notable in MLS?

People around MLS often consider the Atlanta facility one of the better ones in the league. Here are a few reasons it stands out, especially from a local perspective:

• Multiple professional-grade fields: Allows first team, ATL UTD 2, and academy to train simultaneously.
• Integrated performance and rehab areas: Useful for injury recovery and long seasons.
• Close to central Atlanta: Easy drive from the city compared to some suburban or remote training grounds in other markets.
• Youth pathway: Local Atlanta-area kids can see a clear ladder from academy to professional play, all centered in the metro area.

Training Ground vs. Mercedes-Benz Stadium: Quick Comparison

For new fans in Atlanta, it can be confusing to understand the difference between the training ground and the stadium. Here’s a simple side-by-side view:

Youth Soccer and the Training Ground: What Atlanta Parents Should Know

If you’re a parent in metro Atlanta with a soccer-loving child, the training ground may feel like the top of the pyramid. While academy participation is selective, there are a few practical points to keep in mind:

• Local club soccer is often the first step. Many academy players start in community clubs around Atlanta before being scouted or trying out.
• The Atlanta United academy generally looks at players through scouting, invite-only tryouts, and established youth pathways.
• Being near Atlanta means your child can potentially attend clinics, camps, and events connected to the club throughout the year, even if they’re not in the academy itself.

For parents, the training ground is less about casual access and more about understanding that the top-tier developmental infrastructure is located right here in the Atlanta area.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Residents Interested in the Training Ground

Here are some simple, locally focused tips if you want to stay connected to what happens at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground:

• Plan around traffic: If you do attend an event, give yourself extra time on I-75, especially if you’re coming from Midtown, Downtown, or the airport.
• Check event details carefully: Parking instructions, entry gates, and allowed items can vary by event.
• Use MARTA and rideshare smartly: For some events, combining MARTA to a nearby hub with rideshare into Marietta can help you avoid stressful driving and parking.
• Stay plugged into supporter culture: Local supporter groups often share updates about open trainings, watch parties, and community meetups that may connect back to the training ground.

Why the Training Ground Matters to Atlanta

Even if you never set foot inside, the Atlanta United FC Training Ground impacts the city in a few important ways:

• It anchors professional soccer infrastructure in the metro area.
• It provides a visible development path for local youth players.
• It reinforces Atlanta’s reputation as a modern, soccer-savvy sports city.
• It brings players, staff, and visiting teams into the broader Atlanta community on a daily basis, not just on match days.

For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta who cares about soccer, knowing about the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground helps you understand where the real, everyday work of the club happens—and how deeply the sport is rooted in the city beyond the bright lights of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.