Richardson, Texas – After nearly two years of negotiations, public meetings, and two separate votes of approval by the Garland City Council, Atlético Dallas has been informed that the City of Garland will not move forward with the proposed training facility and public soccer complex project.
The project represented a $70 million-plus investment in Garland, including a professional training facility and new public soccer fields. The surrounding development was expected to be a $100 million-plus private investment for a mixed-use development that would have created jobs, driven tourism, and generated new business opportunities.
Leaders at Atlético Dallas expressed their disappointment, not only for the club, but for the thousands of Garland residents who rallied behind this vision.
“From day one, this project was about more than soccer,” said Matt Valentine, co-founder of Atlético Dallas. “It was about giving Garland families and athletes a place to gather, grow, and take pride in their community. While we are disappointed in this turn of events, we are grateful for the support we’ve received from the people of Garland.”
The club offered to privately fund several aspects of the project to mitigate any legal concerns by the city, but those offers were rejected. Atlético Dallas is already evaluating new site locations closer to the Cotton Bowl, where they are set to begin playing in 2027. Despite this change of plans, the club remains committed to the families in Garland and to supporting local community organizations and youth soccer programs.
“At the end of the day, we are Atlético Dallas,” said Sam Morton, co-founder of Atlético Dallas. “That means we play for everyone in Dallas County – Garland included. While our headquarters will now shift, our loyalty remains to every fan, family, and young athlete in this region who believes in the future of soccer.”
Atlético Dallas will continue to pursue opportunities to invest in cities across Dallas County. The club remains focused on growing the game of soccer by investing in community programs, youth initiatives and fan engagement.
ABOUT ATLÉTICO DALLAS
Atlético Dallas is North Texas’ first and only USL Championship club, set to begin playing at the historic Cotton Bowl in 2027. Co-founded by lifelong friends and soccer enthusiasts Matt Valentine and Sam Morton, the team is committed to making soccer a sport for everyone by building community, inspiring the next generation of athletes and leaders, and uniting fans through the global game.
