Visiting the Atlanta United Training Ground: A Local’s Guide to the Home of the Five Stripes

If you follow soccer in Atlanta, you’ve probably heard about the Atlanta United Training Ground in Marietta. It’s where the first team, academy, and sometimes visiting clubs prepare for match day, and it’s become a landmark for local fans who want to feel closer to the club.

This guide explains where the training ground is, what happens there, how (and if) you can visit, and what to know if you’re an Atlanta resident, a visiting fan, or a parent with a young player dreaming of the next level.

What Is the Atlanta United Training Ground?

The Atlanta United Training Ground—often just called the training ground or training facility—is the club’s main practice and operations center.

It typically includes:

• Multiple full-size training fields
• Facilities for Atlanta United’s first team
• Space for Atlanta United 2 (the reserve side)
• Areas used by the youth academy teams
• Indoor training, recovery, and performance areas
• Offices for technical and support staff

From an Atlanta perspective, it’s the day-to-day heart of the club in the same way Mercedes‑Benz Stadium is the game-day home.

Where the Training Ground Is Located

The Atlanta United Training Ground is located in Marietta, Georgia, northwest of downtown Atlanta.

Common reference point for locals:

• Area: Marietta, generally near the Franklin Gateway corridor
• Region: Northwest metro Atlanta, convenient to I‑75 and I‑285

For someone staying downtown or in Midtown Atlanta, expect roughly:

• 20–40 minutes by car depending on traffic
• Heavier congestion during weekday rush hours on I‑75 and around the Cobb area

Because this is an actively used professional facility, access is tightly controlled, and you typically cannot just walk in without a reason or prior permission.

Is the Atlanta United Training Ground Open to the Public?

In everyday practice, the Atlanta United Training Ground functions as a private facility, not a public park or museum. However, there are a few ways locals and visitors might get inside or visit the grounds.

1. Open Training Sessions and Fan Events

From time to time, Atlanta United has been known to hold:

• Open training sessions
• Fan appreciation events
• Special academy or community days

When these happen, they’re usually:

• Announced in advance by the club
• Limited in capacity
• Sometimes ticketed (even if free) to control crowd size

If you live in Atlanta and want to attend one:

• Keep an eye on Atlanta United’s official announcements
• Plan to arrive early; parking and security can take time
• Be prepared for clear bag policies and similar restrictions

2. Youth & Academy Activities

The training ground is heavily used by the Atlanta United Academy and related youth programs. For families with players involved in these systems, the training ground becomes part of regular routine.

What this typically means:

• Access is limited to players, staff, and authorized family members
• You’ll generally need to be registered with an official program
• Visitors should follow staff instructions on where they can and cannot go

If your child is interested in high-level soccer in Atlanta, the training ground is often the aspirational destination, but entry usually comes through structured programs and selection, not casual visits.

3. Media and Professional Access

The facility also hosts:

• Media sessions
• Sponsor events
• Occasional professional meetings or conferences

Access in these cases is credential-based and not open to general fans.

Getting There from Around Atlanta

Because the exact layout and access points can change over time, always verify details before you go. That said, from a local’s standpoint, here’s what you’ll typically consider:

By Car

Most visitors reach the training ground by car:

• From Downtown or Midtown Atlanta:
  • Take I‑75 North toward Marietta
  • Allow extra time for weekday afternoon traffic
• From Buckhead or Sandy Springs:
  • Options include I‑285 West to I‑75 North, depending on where you start

💡 Local tip: For any event at the training ground, build in a buffer of at least 20–30 minutes beyond your GPS estimate during peak traffic times.

Parking

When the facility hosts fans or events:

• Designated parking areas are usually marked
• Staff or signage direct you where to go
• Sometimes, overflow parking may be set up nearby

Always follow posted signs and staff instructions—do not park in nearby private lots without permission, as towing can be strictly enforced around commercial properties in Cobb and Marietta.

What to Expect If You Attend an Event

If you’re lucky enough to attend an open training or special event at the Atlanta United Training Ground, you can expect a setup that’s functional rather than touristy.

Typical elements:

• Security check or gate at the entrance
• Sign-in or ticket scan for registered attendees
• Clearly marked viewing areas around one or more training fields
• Limited or event-specific food and drink options (sometimes none)
• Club staff and security managing crowd flow and field access

What to bring (and not bring):

• Bring:

  • Photo ID
  • Sunscreen and a hat (shade can be limited on open fields)
  • A refillable water bottle if allowed
  • Light jacket in cooler months—open fields can feel windy

• Avoid:

  • Large bags that may be turned away by bag policies
  • Drones or professional camera rigs without media approval
  • Items that might obstruct views or create safety concerns

How the Training Ground Fits into Soccer in Atlanta

For people living in Metro Atlanta, the training ground is part of a broader soccer ecosystem.

Connection to Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

• Training Ground:
  • Daily work site where players train, do recovery, and prepare tactics
• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium (Downtown Atlanta):
  • Game-day venue for MLS matches and many major events

Fans who live in Atlanta often experience the club at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, but the training ground is where most of the team’s hours are spent.

Role in Youth Development

The training ground is central to Atlanta United’s academy pathway:

• Youth players train and occasionally play matches there
• Some academy sessions can overlap with first-team activities, creating a direct development pipeline
• For local families, getting into these systems usually involves:
  • Playing high-level youth soccer in the Atlanta area
  • Attending ID sessions, tryouts, or scouting events organized by the club or partner programs

The facility itself is not a walk-in youth club; it’s a selective, structured environment.

Quick Reference: Atlanta United Training Ground Basics

Alternatives for Fans Who Can’t Get Into the Training Ground

If you’re an Atlanta-based fan or a visitor who wants to feel close to the club but can’t access the training ground, there are still plenty of ways to stay connected:

• Match days at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
  • The main place to experience Atlanta United atmosphere
• Public watch parties around the city
  • Many bars and restaurants in Downtown, Midtown, East Atlanta, West Midtown, and Buckhead show matches
• Academy or ATL UTD 2 matches
  • Often more accessible than first-team training sessions, with smaller crowds and easier interaction
• Community soccer fields and local leagues
  • Facilities throughout City of Atlanta Parks & Recreation, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, and other counties let you play and watch local soccer at every level

For most residents, the training ground remains a kind of behind-the-scenes landmark—you might drive past it or see it on social media more often than you actually set foot inside. But understanding where it is, how it functions, and how it fits into Atlanta’s soccer culture can make following the team feel more grounded and local.