Community celebration at Ralph David Abernathy Plaza marks shared commitment to expanding access to play, youth opportunity and long-term impact through soccer.
The City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation, Visa, Bank of America and Street Soccer USA today announced a partnership to bring a Visa Street Soccer Park to Atlanta, creating new opportunities for youth engagement, recreation and access to sport. The announcement was celebrated Wednesday at Ralph David Abernathy Plaza, where Mayor Andre Dickens joined community leaders, partners and local youth to highlight a shared vision for creating new opportunities for Atlanta’s young people and neighborhoods through sport.
The partnership builds on a broader collaboration between Visa, Bank of America and Street Soccer USA to expand access to sport, education and opportunity through community-centered soccer parks across the United States. Designed to serve communities at the neighborhood level, Visa Street Soccer Parks transform underutilized spaces into vibrant, accessible hubs for sport, learning and connection. Programming is tailored to local needs and can include recreational play, youth development, academic enrichment and community engagement.
“The FIFA World Cup has brought the world to us, and we have enjoyed every minute—on and off the pitch,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “The semi-final match brings the tournament to an end for Atlanta. But thanks to Street Soccer USA, Visa, and Bank of America, the World Cup’s legacy will live on right here. That’s the kind of legacy we can appreciate. Because projects like this strengthen neighborhoods, support a community’s health and wellness, and help ensure our parks remain places where all our residents can connect.”
The celebration gave local youth and families an early look at the type of programming the partnership aims to bring to Atlanta, including soccer activities, skills clinics, open play on a Bank of America Field and family-friendly programming. The event also brought together public, private and nonprofit partners around a shared goal: using the momentum around soccer to create opportunities that last beyond tournament play.
“This work is about more than creating a place to play, it’s about leveraging the power of soccer to uplift local communities,” said Kim Lawrence, Regional President, North America, Visa. “Together with the City of Atlanta, Bank of America and Street Soccer, we’re helping create opportunities for young people to connect, develop and grow.”
Through their collaboration with the City of Atlanta and Street Soccer USA, Visa and Bank of America are helping expand access to soccer, youth programming and community engagement opportunities in Atlanta and communities across the country. The partnership
reflects a shared belief that safe, welcoming spaces can create opportunities for young people while strengthening the neighborhoods they call home.
“Investments in these soccer parks help create safe, welcoming spaces where young people can stay active, build connections, and access programs that support their growth and development,” said Al McRae, President, Bank of America Atlanta. “Through partnerships like this, the momentum around soccer can help strengthen neighborhoods and create lasting benefits for Atlanta families long after the final FIFA World Cup matches are played.”
Street Soccer USA will serve as the lead program partner, working with the City of Atlanta and local organizations to help shape programming that reflects the needs of the community. The organization’s model uses soccer as a tool for personal development, social connection, and opportunity, with a focus on creating safe, welcoming environments where young people can build confidence and strengthen life skills.
“This announcement represents a commitment to Atlanta’s future,” said Lawrence Cann, Co-Founder and President, Street Soccer USA. “Our goal is not simply to create a place to play, but to help build a space that communities can take ownership of and activate for years to come. Working alongside the City of Atlanta, Visa, Bank of America and local partners, we are creating a foundation for programming and opportunity that can serve Atlanta families well beyond the game itself.”
The effort is supported by a growing network of community organizations, civic leaders and soccer stakeholders committed to creating lasting opportunities for Atlanta’s young people and neighborhoods. Together, partners are working to turn the momentum around soccer into something lasting for Atlanta families and communities.
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ may be the catalyst, but the goal is much bigger: creating opportunities for young Atlantans and strengthening communities long after the final match is played.
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About the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation The City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors by maintaining over 300 parks, preserving natural areas, and providing engaging recreational programming. Driven by the Activate ATL master plan, DPR is committed to expanding equitable access to greenspaces, promoting community health, and building a sustainable, world-class park system for all Atlantans. For more information, visit the City of Atlanta Department of Parks & Recreation or follow them on social media at @ATLParksandRec.
About Visa
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.
About Street Soccer USA Street Soccer USA is a national non-profit organization dedicated to addressing social issues through soccer-based programs, providing underserved communities with pathways to achieve their potential. With a focus on accessible soccer programming and park development, SSUSA fosters safe, community-driven environments that empower individuals and strengthen neighborhoods. Through long standing relationships with municipal and state partners, thousands of donors, and key foundation, brands and pro soccer partners like Adam R. Scripps Foundation, UNIQLO, Borussia Dortmund, Serie A among others, SSUSA has grown to serve tens of thousands of youth and families each year across 16 cities, nationally, and growing.
About Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving nearly 70 million clients with approximately 3,500 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 59 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. As the #1 small business lender in the United States (FDIC), Bank of America offers industry leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
