United States: Atlanta will host the 22^nd MLS franchise, to launch in 2017

The city of Atlanta (Georgia, USA) will host the 22^nd MLS (Major League Soccer) franchise, Don Garber, Commissioner, announced on 16/04/2014.

The new franchise will enter the MLS for the 2017 season. "Atlanta is one of the largest and most diverse markets in North America and has a rich tradition in sports and culture," said Garber. The city is the 10^th-ranked television market in the United States. The franchise is owned by Arthur Blank, co-founder of The Home Depot, a chain of hardware stores, and owner of the Atlanta Falcons franchise, of the NFL (National Football League).

The amount of the deal is close to $70m (approximately €51m), according to the American press. The franchise will play in the future stadium of the Atlanta Falcons. The 65,000-seat stadium, whose construction cost is estimated at $1mb - $1.2mb (€725m - €870m), will have a retractable roof and a "soccer" configuration with a capacity of 29,000. The franchises will play on artificial turf.

MLS plans to have 24 franchises by 2020.

MLS 2020:

• MLS currently has 19 franchises, but five more will join the league by…