Atlanta United to Host ATL Champions League 2017
The Soccer in the Streets fundraiser will be played at the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground in Marietta
ATLANTA (Mar. 23, 2017) - Atlanta United will host the seventh annual ATL Champions League 2017, one of 'Soccer in the Streets' traditional fundraising events. The tournament - to be held on May 21st at the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground - is expected to break participation records from past tournaments, as it is slated to grow from 12 to 16 participating teams, with an average of 240 players hitting the pitch.
Digital assets of previous ATL Champions League tournaments found here.
"We are excited to be able to partner with Atlanta United to put together this event," said Phil Hill, Soccer in the Streets' Executive Director. "Playing the ATL Champions League in a state-of-the-art facility will take this fundraiser experience to the next level; this is truly special and speaks volumes to Atlanta United's commitment to support soccer at the grassroots level".
The ATL Champions League sees the city's most passionate soccer fans, representing fifteen of the most illustrious European soccer teams and our own Atlanta United FC, battle it out for the title both on and off the pitch. New and returning players can sign-up now by visiting the ATL Champions League page.
Behind the competitiveness and fun of the ATL Champions League is the most important aspect of this tournament: raising funds to bring soccer to lower income communities while leveling the playing field for children regardless of socioeconomic status. The tournament helps Soccer in the Streets provide sustainable free youth soccer programs that cultivate change, education, and empower youth.
"We're proud to host the Soccer in the Streets ATL Champions League event this year," said Atlanta United president Darren Eales. "Along with being the home of our first team and academy players, the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground will be an active facility for community use, and the Champions League tournament is a great fit as our first major charitable event. We look forward to hosting and participating this year."
The $60 million, state-of-the-art training center, due for completion in the spring of 2017, will be home to the Atlanta United first team and academy teams and will also house Atlanta United front office and technical staff. The club will utilize the facility for training, performance analysis, nutrition, fitness, rehabilitation and elite youth development.
In addition to serving as headquarters for Atlanta United, the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground will host national and international soccer clubs visiting Atlanta for tournaments to be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It will also be used as a base for grassroots soccer initiatives including coach education and referee training.
Soccer in the Streets provides access and opportunities to disadvantaged children in urban neighborhoods. Using soccer as the medium, the non-profit has instilled healthy lifestyles and positive choices to thousands of children in the metro Atlanta area. The organization's holistic approach centers its programs on character development, life skills, mentoring, and employability. Since its establishment in 1989, Soccer in the Streets ensures all children have a chance to succeed on and off the field.
In its seventh edition, the ATL Champions League 2017 will welcome the reigning champions, Atlanta United, eager to defend last year's title. Registrations are now open with teams filling up quickly. To sign up or to learn more about the event, visit the ATL Champions League page.