For fans who didn't score tickets to the eight official 2026 World Cup matches in Atlanta, the city is rolling out massive public watch parties, interactive festival zones, and a historic soccer celebration right in the heart of downtown.
The FIFA Fan Festival will take over the entire footprint of Centennial Olympic Park. The site will be active for 18 specific days during the tournament window, opening to the public on June 11 through June 15, June 17 through June 21, June 24, June 26 and 27, and July 3 through 8.
With the world's biggest sporting event arriving in Georgia, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (officially referred to as "Atlanta Stadium" for the tournament) is set to host eight highly anticipated matches. But organizers expect far more fans to descend on the city than can fit in the stadium.
The fan festival will feature giant screens broadcasting all matches, food and beverage vendors, sponsor activation zones, and live musical performances. Admission is free, though capacity limits will be enforced.
Decatur is also getting in on the action. Decatur WatchFest'26 has received approval from FIFA World Cup 2026 to show more than 60 World Cup matches on three big screens on the Decatur Square between June 11 and July 19, with concerts scheduled almost every day.
The Atlanta BeltLine is planning its own celebration: a two-day Atlanta BeltLine Fest at Pittsburgh Yards on June 20-21, featuring live match screenings, musical performances, local vendors, and family programming along the Southside Trail.