Atlanta is preparing to welcome its women’s professional soccer team, and that team now has a name, crest and colors.
On Sept. 28, the name Atlanta City FC was announced, alongside a crest featuring a phoenix — the legendary bird said to be born from its own ashes and official symbol of Atlanta featured on the City of Atlanta’s seal and flag — and a color scheme featuring “Atlanta Red,” “Georgia Peach,” “Platinum Metallic,” and “Black Char.” The phoenix symbolism runs deep in Atlanta, stemming from the city being burned to the ground during Sherman’s March to the Sea and later rising up from its own ashes to build anew.
The official Atlanta City FC account also released closer-look images of the new crest, riddled with details that pay homage to the city.
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) awarded a league expansion franchise to AMB Sports and Entertainment (AMBSE) in November of last year. AMBSE is owned by Atlanta’s Arthur Blank, who also owns the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United FC, and Atlanta Drive GC.
Since then, updates have been coming steadily, including breaking ground on the team’s training ground, currently under construction in Marietta, that started in March earlier this year.
In a statement from Blank, he said that he is excited for the continued development of the team.
“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,” Blank said.
The team will take the pitch for its inaugural season in 2028, 11 years after the men’s Major League Soccer team Atlanta United FC was founded in 2017. The team quickly drew passionate fans and great attendance, reportedly leading the MLS in attendance “every year of its existence, averaging more than 41,000 fans a game in 2025,” according to Forbes and becoming just the fifth MLS team to be valued at $1 billion or more. For reference, MLS currently has 30 teams.
If the success of Atlanta United FC is any indication, Atlanta City FC is poised to be very well received.
Atlanta City FC will be the 17th team in the league when it debuts in 2028, alongside the 18th team debuting in the same year in Columbus, Ohio. The New York Times reported that the NWSL commissioner, Jessica Berman, is hoping to expand the league to at least 20 teams.
