Atlanta concluded an extraordinary FIFA World Cup 2026™ hosting run on July 15 with a semifinal match-up between Argentina and England at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, capping eight matches that showcased the city at its very best. Over the past month, Atlanta welcomed the world with sold-out crowds, one of the tournament’s most attended FIFA Fan Festivals, unmatched accessibility, fan-first pricing and seamless operations that demonstrated why the city continues to set the standard for hosting the world’s biggest sporting events.  

Atlanta's FIFA Fan Festival™ at Centennial Olympic Park opened June 11 and quickly became one of the defining success stories of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, emerging as one of the most attended fan festivals of any U.S. Host City and welcoming more than 500,000 fans throughout the tournament. For 19 days, Centennial Olympic Park served as the heartbeat of Atlanta's World Cup celebration, transforming into a global gathering place with live match broadcasts, concerts, international food and beverage offerings, interactive activations, and family-friendly entertainment. Fans from around the world created an unforgettable atmosphere, with colorful team jerseys, passionate chants, and nonstop celebration that reflected the unifying power of the world's game and Atlanta's warm hospitality.

A highlight of Atlanta’s FIFA World Cup 2026 was the intentional decision by Mercedes-Benz Stadium to keep its “Fan First” pricing in place throughout the FIFA World Cup, with $2 sodas, $2 hotdogs, $3 bottles of water and $5 cheeseburgers ensuring affordable concessions for fans throughout the tournament. Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s state-of-the-art climate-controlled environment also maintained protection from the elements for players and fans. Mercedes-Benz Stadium was the only venue named the No. 1 stadium of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by three independent national outlets, earning the top spot from USA Today, Sports Illustrated and The New York Times.

The stage matched the moments played on it: a semifinal between England and Argentina, two of the sport's most storied rivals meeting with a place in the final on the line, Lionel Messi and Argentina's dramatic Round of 16 comeback victory over Egypt, and two group stage matches for eventual semifinalist Spain. Atlanta also hosted some of the tournament's most celebrated underdog moments, as Cabo Verde marked its World Cup debut by holding Spain to the only draw of its tournament run, DR Congo capped a 52-year return with a victory over Uzbekistan before nearly stunning England in the Round of 32, and Haiti twice led eventual quarterfinalist Morocco in its first appearance since 1974.

The city's compact downtown footprint linked Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Georgia World Congress Center Authority, Centennial Olympic Park and downtown hotels, tied together by the Last Mile Plan, a wayfinding system developed with the Savannah College of Art & Design to guide fans on foot from transit hubs and parking decks to the stadium campus.

BY THE NUMBERS: 

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium welcomed 544,516 fans across Atlanta's eight matches. 
• FIFA Fan Festival Atlanta has welcomed more than 500,000 visitors averaging more than 27,000 guests each day and ranking among the most-attended FIFA Fan Festivals in the United States. 
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosted an estimate of 2,000 media from 82 countries. 
• FIFA Fan Festival welcomed more than 2,200 media representatives from 89 countries across six continents.
• MARTA has transported more than 2.5 million riders during the tournament period - close to a 200 percent increase from regular ridership. 
• Atlanta's FIFA Volunteer Program included more than 2,000 volunteers who completed more than 10,000 shifts and contributed over 55,000 hours of service throughout the tournament.
• More than 200 Savannah College of Art & Design students and alumni from many of the university’s top-ranked degree programs contributed to AWCHC initiatives through physical and interactive art, panoramic campaign implementation, and seamlessly integrated technology.
• The AWCHC’s partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Georgia positively impacted more than 4,500 youth statewide through soccer-based programming. 
• More than 150 community events and watch parties were hosted by local organizations throughout the region, bringing fans together to celebrate the FIFA World Cup.
• The AWCHC social media channels (@FWC26Atlanta) generated more than 140 million impressions between June 1 and July 15, reflecting global reach and engagement surrounding Atlanta’s FIFA World Cup host city activities.

The Atlanta World Cup Host Committee (AWCHC) also partnered with local nonprofit Soccer in the Streets on the StationSoccer project, which has built mini soccer pitches at six MARTA stations across the city. A seventh is currently underway at Hamilton E. Holmes, giving generations of children year-round access to the game and leaving a lasting legacy for the city.

The AWCHC, led by the Atlanta Sports Council in partnership with the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, the City of Atlanta, State of Georgia, Georgia World Congress Center Authority, Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Metro Atlanta Chamber extends its sincere appreciation to Governor Brian Kemp and Mayor Andre Dickens for their unwavering support throughout Atlanta's FIFA World Cup journey. Their leadership, together with the extraordinary efforts of thousands of public safety personnel, transportation and operations professionals, volunteers, venue staff, government agencies and community partners, made it possible for Atlanta to welcome the world with the hospitality, professionalism and excellence that define our city.

The AWCHC also extends its gratitude to its official Host City Supporters Cox, Georgia-Pacific, NAPA Auto Parts, Southern Company and The Home Depot—whose investment and commitment helped bring Atlanta's vision for the FIFA World Cup to life and create an unforgettable experience for millions of fans.

The AWCHC offers special recognition to Arthur M. Blank, whose vision, leadership and decades-long commitment to Atlanta have helped shape the city into one of the world's premier destinations for sports and major events. His enduring belief in the power of sports to unite communities and create lasting impact has played an instrumental role in Atlanta's continued success on the global stage.

Atlanta entered the FIFA World Cup 2026 as a proven host, drawing on years of planning and an experienced team that has successfully delivered many of the world’s biggest sporting events, providing a strong foundation for another world-class fan experience. Since opening in 2017, Mercedes-Benz Stadium has staged Super Bowl LIII, SEC Championship Games, College Football Playoff National Championships and six FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ matches, backed by a Fortune 500 sports-business footprint that includes The Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines and The Home Depot. In May, U.S. Soccer opened the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Fayetteville, the sport's first permanent national headquarters. Atlanta is scheduled to host Super Bowl LXII in February 2028 and the NCAA Men's Final Four in 2031.

QUOTE SHEET:

"After years of preparation and incredible partnership between the state and local level, we couldn't be prouder of Georgia's showing during the FIFA World Cup 2026™. That's especially true for our law enforcement teams, first responders, and public safety professionals who worked tirelessly to ensure both visitors and Georgians could enjoy the matches safely. From FIFA Fan Fest to the 'Georgia the Whole Day Through' experience, it was an honor to welcome the entire world to the No. 1 state for business and our capital city.” 

– Governor Brian Kemp

“This is the Group Project in action—showcasing Atlanta to the world, providing our renowned hospitality and delivering unforgettable experiences not only for visitors from around the globe, but for Atlanta and Georgia residents who became tourists in their own city. Years of planning, preparation and partnerships paid off in a big way to deliver a safe, enjoyable experience for the hundreds of thousands of match and Fan Fest attendees, small businesses and residents—resulting in an impact that will resonate for decades.”

– Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens

"From the beginning of the bid process in 2018, we knew Atlanta and Georgia had everything it takes to host an incredible FIFA World Cup, and our region exceeded every expectation. This was truly a team effort, with our host committee staff, civic, community and business leaders, partners, public agencies and volunteers all coming together to create something truly special. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who played a role in showcasing why we are the best city in the world for hosting sports and major events." 

– Dan Corso, President, Atlanta Sports Council and Atlanta World Cup Host Committee

"We are incredibly proud and honored to have welcomed the world to Atlanta and Mercedes-Benz Stadium during the FIFA World Cup. This tournament showcased not only the capabilities of a world-class venue, but also the warmth, hospitality and spirit that define our city. From the moment fans arrived, our team was committed to delivering an exceptional experience that reflected the very best of Atlanta. The passion in our stadium, the energy throughout the city, and the dedication of thousands of associates, partners and volunteers demonstrated why Atlanta is one of the premier sports and entertainment destinations in the world. We are grateful for the opportunity to play a role in this historic event and proud that Atlanta showed up for the world in the very best way." 

– Dietmar Exler, Chief Operating Officer, Mercedes-Benz Stadium 

"The success of FIFA Fan Festival™ Atlanta is a testament to what happens when a city embraces the world with authenticity, hospitality, and heart. For more than a month, Centennial Olympic Park became the gathering place for more than a half million fans representing every corner of the globe—celebrating not only the world's game, but the spirit of Atlanta. Together with our incredible partners, volunteers, and team members, we created an experience that was safe, welcoming, and uniquely Atlanta, leaving a lasting legacy for our city and raising the bar for future global events." 

– Joe Bocherer, Chief Commercial Officer, Georgia World Congress Center Authority 

"FIFA World Cup gave us an extraordinary opportunity to welcome the world to Atlanta, and our hospitality community delivered at every turn. From hotels, restaurants and attractions to transportation providers and the thousands of hospitality professionals who welcomed guests each day, our industry came together to create memorable experiences that extended well beyond the matches. The global visibility generated during the tournament will continue to strengthen our tourism industry and reinforce Atlanta's reputation as a world-class destination.” 

– William Pate, President and CEO, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau

"Hosting eight FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches reinforced metro Atlanta's position as a global business hub. More than 500,000 fans gathered at the FIFA Fan Festival™ in Centennial Olympic Park, visitors from more than 80 countries experienced our region, and international business delegations engaged with leaders across metro Atlanta. Those connections matter. They create opportunities to attract investment, grow trade relationships, and accelerate future growth. This success was years in the making and made possible by the extraordinary collaboration between the business community and local, state and federal partners. Just as the 1996 Summer Olympic Games helped transform Atlanta's global profile, FIFA World Cup 2026™ created a new opportunity to tell our story to the world and build relationships that will support metro Atlanta's growth for years to come." 

– Katie Kirkpatrick, President and CEO, Metro Atlanta Chamber