Soccer Gets Started in Atlanta

Presentation on the early history of soccer in metro Atlanta from the 1890s to the 1960s

Mar. 25, 2026 at 10:00pm

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The Atlanta Preservation Center is hosting a presentation on the early soccer landscape in Atlanta, with a focus on people, teams, leagues, and events from the 1890s to the 1960s. The presentation will use an associated Story Map to discuss the history of soccer in the city, highlighting the teams, people, and places that were associated with the sport from the late 19th century up to the arrival of the first professional soccer team, the Atlanta Chiefs, in the late 1960s.

Why it matters

This presentation provides insight into the little-known early history of soccer in Atlanta, a city more commonly associated with other major sports like football and baseball. Understanding this history can help preserve the legacy of the sport in the city and potentially inspire renewed interest in Atlanta's soccer roots.

The details

The presentation will cover the early teams, leagues, and events that helped establish soccer in Atlanta, from the late 1800s through the 1960s. This includes highlighting the key people, places, and organizations that were involved in growing the sport in the city during this time period, leading up to the arrival of the first professional team.

  • The presentation will take place on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 from 6pm to 8pm.

The players

The Atlanta Preservation Center

A non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history and architecture of Atlanta.

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The takeaway

This presentation offers a unique opportunity to learn about a lesser-known aspect of Atlanta's sports history and how soccer helped shape the city in its early years, paving the way for the professional teams and leagues that would come later.