Your Guide to FIFA World Cup 2026 Events in Atlanta
Atlanta is about to become one of the biggest soccer cities in the world.
When the FIFA World Cup 2026 arrives in the United States, Atlanta will host eight matches — including a semifinal — at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (temporarily renamed “Atlanta Stadium” during the tournament because of FIFA sponsorship rules). The city is expected to welcome hundreds of thousands of fans from around the globe for nearly a month of soccer, concerts, watch parties, and cultural events.
Here’s a look at what’s happening in Atlanta for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and why the city is shaping up to be one of the tournament’s marquee destinations.
Atlanta Will Host Eight World Cup Matches
Atlanta landed one of the strongest schedules in the entire tournament. Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host five group-stage matches, a Round of 32 game, a Round of 16 match, and one of the tournament semifinals.
Some of the biggest matchups already announced include:
Spain vs. Cabo Verde — June 15, 2026
Czechia vs. South Africa — June 18, 2026
Spain vs. Saudi Arabia — June 21, 2026
Morocco vs. Haiti — June 24, 2026
Congo DR vs. Uzbekistan — June 27, 2026
Semifinal Match — July 15, 2026
The semifinal alone guarantees Atlanta a massive international spotlight. Only a handful of cities received semifinal hosting duties, placing Atlanta alongside places like New York/New Jersey and Dallas as one of FIFA’s premier U.S. destinations.
Centennial Olympic Park Will Become the Fan Hub
Even if you don’t have tickets to a match, Atlanta will still offer a huge World Cup experience.
The official FIFA Fan Festival is expected to take over Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. The festival will feature giant public watch parties, live entertainment, food vendors, sponsor activations, and concerts throughout the tournament.
Fan festivals became a huge part of the World Cup experience in recent tournaments, creating a citywide celebration that extends far beyond the stadium itself. In Atlanta, the setup is especially fitting because Centennial Olympic Park already carries Olympic history from the 1996 Summer Games.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium Is Built for Big Soccer Events
Atlanta already has one of the strongest soccer cultures in the United States thanks to Atlanta United’s enormous fan base. Mercedes-Benz Stadium regularly draws some of the largest soccer crowds in North America, making it a natural fit for the World Cup.
The stadium’s retractable roof and climate-controlled environment should also help fans escape Atlanta’s summer heat. According to reports, FIFA matches in Atlanta will be played on natural grass instead of the stadium’s normal turf surface.
One especially fan-friendly feature getting attention is Atlanta’s concession pricing. Stadium owner Arthur Blank has pledged to keep the venue’s famously affordable food and drink prices during the tournament, including $2 hot dogs and low-cost beverages.
Getting There
Atlanta organizers are encouraging fans to use MARTA rail lines instead of driving to matches. The stadium is directly accessible from downtown transit stations, and city officials expect major traffic restrictions around match days.