StationSoccer™ Turns MARTA Stations into Community Hubs as World Cup Approaches

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, the three co-host nations are vying to make the strongest international impression. In the U.S., the eleven major cities set to host matches are already buzzing with activity. Plans are underway in each town to welcome thousands of international visitors.

Kickoff event at East Lake StationSoccer™ (photo credit: Soccer in the Streets®)

This year, the FIFA World Cup Host Committee is continuing its FIFA Legacy Project- a formal initiative launched in 2010 to ensure the tournament leaves a lasting, positive impact on host cities. Legacy projects have historically been the beneficiaries of grants, community efforts, city planning initiatives, and partnerships focusing on grassroots access to soccer, neighborhood programming, and long-term development. The Soccer in the Streets® StationSoccer™ initiative is a collaborative project with multiple core partners, including the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and Atlanta United. StationSoccer™ has partnered with the Atlanta FIFA World Cup host committee this year to collaborate on the FIFA Project legacy work to build.

For the 2025 FIFA Legacy Project, StationSoccer™ is working with the city of Atlanta to build a new soccer field at the Hamilton E. Holmes MARTA station in the city's west side. The site will be the latest addition to the city’s growing StationSoccer™ network. This field will be the newest addition to the city’s growing StationSoccer™ network—a first-of-its-kind initiative that converts the unused area around MARTA train stations into soccer fields with built-in community services.

When the Atlanta FIFA Host Committee connected with Soccer in the Streets® about participating in the Legacy Project, the Hamilton E. Holmes station was already in planning. According to Sanjay Patel, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Soccer in the Streets®, the Hamilton E. Holmes station was chosen because it is already surrounded by a strong ecosystem of complementary programs.

East Point StationSoccer™ (photo credit: Soccer in the Streets®)

Beyond providing free access to soccer for local youth, the plan is to integrate the pre-existing wraparound services, such as access to fresh food (Good Food Store), healthcare (Grady, American Heart Association), financial education (Wells Fargo Financial Services), and the development of a community garden.

“So when StationSoccer™H.E. Holmes opens,” Patel said, “what we've then become a part of is a health hub.”

The groundbreaking for the new station is scheduled for late 2025, with completion projected ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Patel emphasized that ongoing construction at other MARTA stations shouldn’t interfere with progress on this project, as much of the work will occur internally at the station.

“A lot of these families get excited when they see that construction happening,” Patel added, “because they see it coming.”

This expansion is rooted in years of community engagement —including surveys and canvassing efforts conducted in collaboration with MARTA. Residents consistently prioritized access to safe green spaces, youth sports programs, and health and wellness services.

Soccer in the Streets® has longstanding partnerships with local schools and community organizations, which Patel says helps build continuity and trust. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

Participant at Lindbergh StationSoccer™ (photo credit: Soccer in the Streets®)

To measure the project’s long-term effectiveness, StationSoccer™ is partnering with Neighborhood Nexus, a local data analytics group. The intention is to launch a comprehensive impact measurement plan after the station opens, gathering data on the area so that in the future the model can be replicated.

Soccer in the Streets® is the first model globally—combining public transit, soccer, and wraparound community services. That uniqueness, Patel noted, came with challenges in the planning phase because there were no previous models to emulate.

“We're hoping to build the blueprint,” he said.

While Patel oversees long-term planning, Catalina Dunn, Marketing Manager for

StationSoccer™ focuses on visibility and program engagement. Dunn said the StationSoccer™ model has already led to a noticeable increase in participation, especially in adult recreational leagues, which have surpassed their 2025 goals.

“The ball is just rolling now,” Dunn said, “and slowly gaining momentum.”

Amidst the legacy work, StationSoccer™ also recently received a Media Placement Grant through the CTR Culture program, securing space on the massive digital screen at The Center (formerly the CNN Center) in downtown Atlanta. The Center is one of the city’s primary stops for visitors heading to World Cup events at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which will be temporarily renamed "Atlanta Stadium" under FIFA branding guidelines.

Access to transit is key to the StationSoccer™ model. Many children and families rely on MARTA to get to the soccer fields, and placing fields directly at stations makes the game more accessible.

While the new Hamilton E. Holmes location is still in the planning phase, activities at other StationSoccer™ sites—such as youth leagues, school collaborations, health clinics, and summer camps—are ongoing. Though adult leagues are still under consideration for the new station, Dunn said existing programs would not pause during the World Cup, and the youth fall season resumed this September.

Although she couldn't speak to the specific delays around the groundbreaking, Dunn acknowledged that the scope of the project—including design, budget, and contractor partnerships—requires extensive planning.

“Soccer in the Streets® is working towards providing access to soccer and life skills for both on and off the field to thousands of children each year through leagues, schools, and community-based programs,” said Dunn.