The National Women's Soccer League is about to get bigger as details about Atlanta's first-ever women's professional soccer team are announced.
Atlanta City FC, the newest member of the NWSL, will launch in 2028 with a phoenix logo and peach colors to join Atlanta United in representing the ATL in soccer.
"Our goal is to build Atlanta City FC into a championship-caliber club that reflects the attitude of Atlanta and serves as a source of pride for the passionate supporters of this city," President of Soccer Mauricio Culebro said in a social media post on Sept. 28.
The NWSL awarded an expansion franchise to Atlanta as the 17th team in the league in November 2025.
“When we were awarded an NWSL franchise, our goal was to build a world-class club with
a brand that reflects our city’s strength, diversity and spirit. After an extensive process, we’re proud to introduce Atlanta City FC," team owner Arthur M. Blank, of Home Depot, said in a statment. "Thank you to our leadership team for their diligent work in bringing this brand to life while incorporating input from the passionate soccer supporters of this city. Our supporters are at the heart of everything we do, and their energy and belief will shape the soul of this club. We can’t wait for Atlanta City FC to take the pitch in a few short years.”
Here's what we know about Atlanta City FC.
When is the first Atlanta City FC match?
While there is a lot of excitement surrounding the new team, it's going to be a while before fans will actually get to see the players take the pitch.
The team is expected to join the NWSL season in 2028, meaning they will play their first official match sometime around late February to early March of that year.
The NWSL season typically begins in March and the regular season runs through late October to early November before the playoffs and championship are played in November. The seasons do sometimes take pauses to accommodate the international FIFA windows and other major tournaments. The 2027 season, for example, will start early in February to accommodate the World Cup.
The team will play inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
That doesn't mean that the players won't be getting ready in the meantime.
The club is already hosting community events from children soccer camps and clinics to a team launch party scheduled for Oct. 4.
What does the logo mean?
The team's logo is a combination of three key Atlanta themes: resilience, community and history.
"The phoenix embodies the notion that something extraordinary can arise from destruction. Furthermore, it symbolizes neighborhoods, cultures and voices that contribute to the collective strength of the city," the team explained. "The dogwood blossom, with its four petals, symbolizes unity and community across all four seasons. Its presence reflects a participatory spirit that endures through any season and is deeply rooted in Atlanta's identity. Root systems represent quiet strength and connection to place. They are robust due to their reach and connection, signifying the cultural and historical grounding of the city."
And merchandise is already available.
Sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats and more can be found on the team's NWSL website. Select items will also be available at the team's launch party Sunday.
Are tickets available?
It's a little early to start thinking about purchasing match tickets, but Atlanta fans can become "Founding Members" of the club.
With a $50 Founding Member Deposit, fans will get an exclusive charm bracelet (similar the viral bracelet from the World Cup), a special section at the launch party and first picks for team news and merchandise drop.
Then, in spring 2027, founding members can select season tickets in the order in which they became members. That means the faster you join, the better your tickets could be come 2028. Members also receive special gifts, founding member recognition, future merchandise discounts and a meet and greet with the team.
Irene Wright covers Atlanta's professional sports teams as the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Atlanta's new NWSL team debuts name, merch. When is the first match?
