StationSoccer is a bold, city-wide movement transforming MARTA stations into thriving community hubs.
Atlanta consists of dozens of small neighborhoods that each have their own distinct personality and perspective. But not all are created equal. Atlanta leads the nation in income inequality—and some communities lack the resources and infrastructure that others enjoy.
StationSoccer came from the idea that soccer can help cultivate healthy communities, and transit is a natural connection point for people who wouldn’t otherwise have access. For too many kids in metro Atlanta, cost and transportation aren’t just hurdles—they’re walls. The lightbulb moment came when we realized that we could start tearing down those walls by turning vacant MARTA station lots into vibrant green spaces. The idea quickly gained attention and StationSoccer was born.
One field, outside a train station, changed everything. In October 2016 we launched our first StationSoccer location at Five Points station in downtown Atlanta. The state-of-the-art field was built in partnership with the Atlanta United Foundation and MARTA, and sparked global interest from the moment it made its debut. Soon, organizations like the City of Atlanta Planning and Design, Transformation Alliance, Musco Lighting, and Fieldturf joined the mission, and StationSoccer began to grow across the city.
Our grassroots, Atlanta-focused mission is fueled by the support of businesses, community partners, donors, and volunteers. Help us build more momentum.
From our first field, we’ve been pioneering a new model for youth development—using soccer as the hook to draw kids in and life-changing programming to set them up for success. Job readiness. Leadership. Real opportunity. It’s all packed into the pitch. And through our innovative social impact model, our adult league revenues flow directly back into youth programs so that every adult who plays with us Plays It Forward.
Now with six stations around metro Atlanta, we continue to build A League of Stations where kids and adults can take pride in representing their own station “club” and play others by hopping on MARTA.
StationSoccer Locations:
We engage around 1,200 kids each year who previously had limited access to organized sports.
Safe spaces
for youth
We transform transit stations to include inclusive soccer environments.
Third spaces that amplify social connection
The built environments and green spaces we create are the lungs of the community.
Our programs foster relationships between diverse neighborhoods.
Promoting public transportation usage
We help highlight sustainable urban mobility while enhancing community infrastructure.
Creating neighborhood-based soccer ecosystems
Kids get to learn the sport at school and gain additional experience at their home station.
Georgia Power, Stadler, Rubenstein, HJ Russell, The MET, CEMEX
As we continue to add locations across Atlanta, we’re also engaging community members to develop additional on-site opportunities for all ages. These conversations allow us to be thoughtful about what’s needed both on and off the field, with the inclusion of learning spaces that teach topics like financial literacy and job training, and community gardens that unlock access to nutrition.
Now more than ever as cities like Atlanta feel the effects of income inequality, we’re working toward a national model of health and wellbeing for generations to come.
