The Atlanta City FC history begins with the city's third attempt at building a lasting home for professional women's soccer. Set to debut in the NWSL in 2028, the team has quickly become a prominent part of Arthur Blank's AMB Sports and Entertainment family, joining the Falcons, Atlanta United, and the city's growing sports scene. The club focuses on Atlanta's culture, community roots, and building something built to last this time.
Established
2025
City
Atlanta
League History
2028 – Present / National Women's Soccer League
Team History
2028 – Present / Atlanta City FC
Nickname
Atlanta City FC – Unlike many NWSL clubs that lean on a mascot-style nickname, Atlanta City FC kept its name soccer-forward on purpose. Chief business officer Deandra Duggans said the club wanted a name that gave them room to work plenty of Atlanta imagery into the crest itself, rather than spending that space on a mascot. The name also deliberately leads with "Atlanta" first, since the people behind the club felt civic pride in the city needed to come through loud and clear. Alternatives considered during the process reportedly included Dogwood City and Atlanta Phoenix.
Atlanta City FC Origin
The "City" in Atlanta City FC ties directly to the club's local identity, separating it from its NFL and MLS siblings while keeping a loose color connection — Atlanta red — shared across Blank's sports properties. The name forms the same "ACFC" shorthand used by Angel City FC in Los Angeles, and the club has said it won't encroach on Angel City's use of that abbreviation. The tertiary wordmark, "ATL CTY," gives the brand a shorter, more casual option for merchandise and social media.
Atlanta City FC Crest
The Atlanta City FC crest centers on a phoenix, matching the bird that has appeared on Atlanta's official city seal and flag since 1887, when it was adopted to represent the city's rebuilding after being burned during the Civil War. Behind the phoenix sits a dogwood blossom, Georgia's state flower, standing for unity and connection, while root-like details beneath the bird point to the club's foundation in the city's history. A hidden "A," formed by the phoenix's chest and feathers, places Atlanta at the center of the design. The club's colors — Atlanta red, Georgia peach, black char, platinum metallic, and dogwood white — give the crest a distinct look from Atlanta United's black, gold, and red.
Atlanta Beat vs Atlanta City FC
Atlanta City FC isn't the city's first try at pro women's soccer. The original Atlanta Beat played in the WUSA from 2001 to 2003, reaching the league's championship match twice before the league folded. A second version of the Beat returned in 2010 under the WPS banner, playing at Kennesaw State before that league also folded in 2012 — leaving Atlanta without a team for over a decade. Where the Beat name borrowed its identity from Atlanta's music scene, Atlanta City FC leans instead on the city's civic history and Arthur Blank's financial backing, having paid a $165 million expansion fee to bring the NWSL's 17th franchise to the Georgia capital.
With a crest built on more than a century of civic symbolism and ownership with deep pockets in Atlanta's sports scene, Atlanta City FC is positioning itself to succeed where the Beat's two earlier chapters couldn't. The club's 2028 debut marks the next attempt at giving Atlanta a lasting home in women's professional soccer.
Championship
NWSL Championships 0
Stadium
2028 – Present / Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Owner
2028 - Present / Arthur Blank
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* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
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Atlanta City FC History
The Atlanta City FC history began with the club's founding as the NWSL's 17th franchise, built to give Atlanta a lasting home in women's professional soccer after two earlier attempts came up short. Backed by Arthur Blank's AMB Sports and Entertainment, Atlanta City FC quickly became a prominent addition to the city's sports scene, joining the Falcons and Atlanta United under the same ownership umbrella. The club has emphasized Atlanta's culture and community from day one, building a brand meant to represent the city rather than borrow from it.
From the start, Atlanta City FC leaned into the city's own story for its identity. The team's crest, built around a phoenix matching the bird on Atlanta's official seal and flag, symbolizes resilience and rebuilding — themes tied to Atlanta's history since 1887. The club's name and colors, Atlanta red and Georgia peach, came out of months of research involving fans, local leaders, and figures across the city, reinforcing Atlanta City FC's connection to the community it represents. Set to begin play in 2028 alongside fellow expansion side Columbus, the club has already built significant momentum through its Founding Member deposit program ahead of its first season.
The Atlanta City FC roster and coaching staff are still taking shape ahead of the 2028 debut, with the front office focused on building a competitive squad from the ground up. By combining Atlanta imagery with a $165 million investment from ownership, the club aims to avoid the fate of its predecessors, the WUSA and WPS-era Atlanta Beat, both of which folded when their leagues collapsed.
Atlanta City FC Achievements
Brand Launch and Fan Response – Atlanta City FC's name, crest, and colors reveal in September 2026 drew wide attention across the NWSL and sports media, with the club's phoenix-centered identity praised for tying directly into Atlanta's civic history. This rollout, paired with strong early interest from Founding Member deposit holders, has positioned Atlanta City FC as one of the more closely watched expansion clubs heading into its first season.
Through a well-researched identity, major ownership backing, and growing anticipation across the city, Atlanta City FC is already building momentum before playing a single match, aiming to become a lasting cornerstone of women's professional soccer in Atlanta and the broader NWSL.
Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history