Soccer in the Streets and Norfolk Southern team up to build better communities on and off the pitch

Partnership will support youth programming, elevate community impact stories and spotlight StationSoccer across Atlanta

ATLANTA (April 28, 2026) – Soccer in the Streets® and Norfolk Southern are continuing a dynamic partnership aimed at boosting community development and youth empowerment in Atlanta through sport.

Soccer in the Streets provides kids under 14 free access to soccer programs focusing heavily on character development, as well as facilitation of adult leagues. In addition to its recent $50,000 Thriving Communities grant supporting Soccer in the Streets’ work across Atlanta, Norfolk Southern is sponsoring three upcoming tournaments. The first is Soccer in the Streets’ award-winning StationSoccer™ youth tournament at MARTA’s Lindbergh station on Saturday, May 2.

StationSoccer is a city-wide community network of mini soccer fields and more, anchored by MARTA transit stations in Atlanta. Affordability and transportation hurdles mean many kids in the metro Atlanta area do not have access to safe places to play soccer nor the resources required to travel. 

Soccer in the Streets and its partners – which now include Norfolk Southern – are closing those gaps by building and programming fields in and around MARTA transit stations.

“As Atlanta prepares for the excitement of hosting World Cup games, this is a powerful moment to highlight soccer’s ability to bring people together as a community and make a positive impact, especially on our children,” said Soccer in the Streets Executive Director Kaseem Ladipo. “Norfolk Southern, a brand built on connection, mobility and infrastructure, is a natural fit to join our work to improve the lives of our children and adults, and develop healthy, thriving communities.”

“While soccer is capturing the world’s attention, we believe the biggest impact happens at the community level,” said Betsy Talton-Buck, Chief Communications Officer of Norfolk Southern. “Through our partnership, we’re helping translate the excitement of the game into lasting impact on expanding access, strengthening community connections and creating opportunity for young people. Building meaningful partnerships locally is core to who we are — because big moves start here.”

The partnership also includes sponsorship of support for a youth tournament at Kensington station May 9 and Soccer in the Streets’ Culture Cup on June 27. The Culture Cup is an adult competition celebrating community, connection and the unifying power of the game. Beyond the matches, the tournament will feature music, food, and networking opportunities, making it a social highlight for participants and supporters.

A “Tracks for Success” promotional plan will shine a light on stories that make Soccer in the Streets’ programming unique throughout Atlanta and the world. It will include a new “Big Moves Start Here” logo commemorating the collaboration, visible at key locations throughout the city.

About Soccer in the Streets

Soccer in the Streets is a nonprofit organization founded in 1989 that works to improve the lives of children by providing access to high-quality, community-based soccer programs and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programming. Since its founding, Soccer in the Streets has served tens of thousands of children through its innovative approach, which includes providing SEL, soccer skills training, job opportunities through our youth referee program, and youth coaching, as well as building soccer fields at MARTA transit stations through its StationSoccer™ initiative, making the sport accessible to communities that need it most while fostering a more connected Atlanta through the power of play. For more information, please visit soccerstreets.org.

About Norfolk Southern

Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and Norfolk Southern originates more automotive traffic than any other Class I Railroad. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S. It serves a majority of the country's population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as major ports across the Gulf Coast and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting  NorfolkSouthern.com.

Soccer in the Streets Media Inquiries: catalina@soccerstreets.org

Norfolk Southern Media Inquiries: media.relations@nscorp.com