Atlanta (Mercedes‑Benz Stadium)

Atlanta is hosting eight World Cup matches—five in the group stage, two in the knockouts (Round of 32 and Round of 16), plus a Semi‑final on July 15, 2026. That puts the city among the tournament's headliners, with action spread from June 15–27 (groups) into July 1 & 7 (R32/R16) and July 15 (Semi).

Official FIFA match numbers at Atlanta ("Atlanta Stadium" during the event):

• Mon, June 15 — Match 14 (Group)
• Thu, June 18 — Match 25 (Group)
• Sun, June 21 — Match 38 (Group)
• Wed, June 24 — Match 50 (Group)
• Sat, June 27 — Match 72 (Group)
• Wed, July 1 — Match 80 (Round of 32)
• Tue, July 7 — Match 95 (Round of 16)
• Wed, July 15 — Match 102 (Semi‑final)

The Atlanta Host Committee and Mercedes‑Benz Stadium echo the 8‑match slate including a Semi‑final, with the same date blocks.

Venue: Mercedes‑Benz Stadium (FIFA name: "Atlanta Stadium") in Downtown, opened 2017, ~75,000 tournament capacity, with the iconic retractable roof and 360° Halo Board. It's hosted Super Bowl LIII, CFB Championship, MLS All‑Star, major concerts, and will again be one of the event's crown jewels.

Clear‑bag policy (plan this like a formation):

Allowed: 1 clear bag ≤ 12″×6″×12″ (clear plastic/vinyl/PVC—including clear backpacks/fanny packs within size), OR a 1‑gallon clear freezer bag; plus 1 small non‑clear clutch ≤ 4.5″×6.5″. Medical exceptions allowed after inspection.

Not allowed: backpacks and any bags exceeding the limits. (Stadium recommends no bag for fastest entry.)

1) MARTA rail (recommended)

The stadium is footsteps from GWCC/CNN Center and Vine City stations. MARTA is explicitly recommended by the Georgia World Congress Center for major events at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium. Fare is $2.50 each way; buy/tap with Breeze Mobile 2.0 to skip kiosks.

Name update: MARTA approved renaming GWCC/CNN Center station to "Sports Entertainment & Convention (SEC)" by Jan 1, 2026—so visitors arriving for the World Cup will see new signage. It's the same station right at the stadium's doorstep.

2) From the airport (ATL) → downtown/stadium

MARTA Airport Station sits inside the Domestic Terminal (between North & South baggage claims). Ride Red or Gold Line directly downtown (often ~20–45 minutes depending on destination), then continue to SEC (GWCC/CNN) or Vine City. It's the fastest, cheapest way from ATL to central Atlanta.

3) Driving & parking

If you must drive, pre‑purchase stadium parking and study lot maps. Mercedes‑Benz Stadium centralizes parking & transportation info and sells event parking directly; lots fill and pricing spikes on mega‑events, so buy early.

Atlanta's official FIFA Fan Festival™ lands in Centennial Olympic Park, a perfect 30‑year nod to the 1996 Games. The festival will run on match days and "match‑day minus one" for ~20 days total, with live match screenings, music, activations, and a downtown setting you can reach on foot or via MARTA.

The Atlanta World Cup Host Committee and GWCC flagged Centennial Olympic Park as the festival site during "One Year to Go" briefings alongside city agencies (MARTA, airport, public safety), underscoring coordinated operations for 2026.

Downtown (Centennial Park District): Walkable to the Fan Festival, SEC (GWCC/CNN) station, and Mercedes‑Benz Stadium. Lowest friction for families and one‑train riders from the airport.

Midtown: Vibrant dining/nightlife with quick MARTA to Five Points, then one stop west to SEC (GWCC/CNN); still very convenient for festival/stadium.

Buckhead: Great hotels/shopping; use Red/Gold Line south to Five Points, transfer to the Blue/Green westbound for the stadium. Allow more time.

Base Downtown or Midtown. From Midtown, ride MARTA to Five Points → SEC (GWCC/CNN) in minutes; from Downtown, you can walk to the stadium and Centennial Olympic Park.

Matchday rhythm: Arrive 90–120 minutes early via MARTA to beat the security wave; after the match, linger at the Fan Festival or nearby bars while the platform queues thin. (Breeze Mobile 2.0 makes round‑trip taps painless.)

Off‑days: BeltLine strolls, Ponce City Market, High Museum—then festival nights under the skyline. (Festival site: Centennial Olympic Park.)

Heat plan: June/July in Atlanta is hot & humid with pop‑up afternoon storms; pack hats, sunscreen, and a light rain layer. (June avg highs ~87°F; July ~89°F.)

Transit choice: MARTA eliminates parking hunts and is stroller‑friendly; Airport Station inside the terminal simplifies arrival day.

Bags: Clear ≤12″×6″×12″; clutch ≤4.5″×6.5″; medical exceptions—and consider no bag for the fastest gate experience.

Festival with kids: Centennial Olympic Park has lawns, fountains (check event advisories), and easy MARTA access.

Tickets & hospitality

Standard tickets roll out via FIFA.com (by phases); hospitality (single‑match, venue series, suites) is available through On Location partners tied to the stadium/host committee—handy if you want premium entry and lounge access.

MARTA fast facts (for out‑of‑towners)

• Airport Station is inside ATL's Domestic Terminal (between baggage claims). Take Red/Gold to downtown; transfer if needed to Blue/Green for the stadium. Fare $2.50.
• Stadium stops: SEC (GWCC/CNN) (renamed before 2026) and Vine City. Follow crowd control signage on event days.

Driving & parking

Use the Mercedes‑Benz Stadium parking portal only; buy in advance. Expect dynamic pricing and road closures near kickoff—plan your approach route accordingly.

Weather, wardrobe & wellness

Hot/humid with chance of afternoon storms—ventilated tops, quick‑dry layers, electrolyte tabs, and an ultra‑light rain shell will make you a matchday hero.

The final 10 words on bags

Clear 12×6×12; clutch 4.5×6.5; medical OK; consider no‑bag.

A) Singles — "Roof opens, vibes up" (4 days)

• Day 1: Land ATL → walk to Airport Station → MARTA to Downtown; golden hour at the Jackson Street Bridge; dinner in Midtown.
• Day 2 (Group match): Late brunch → MARTA to SEC (GWCC/CNN) → match; post‑match stroll into Centennial Olympic Park Fan Festival.
• Day 3: BeltLine + Ponce City Market; evening festival session or a show at the Tabernacle.
• Day 4: Coffee in Inman Park; MARTA back to ATL.

B) Families — "Shade, snacks, short walks" (4 days)

• Day 1: Check into Downtown; scope your MARTA route to the stadium and park.
• Day 2 (Group match): No‑bag entry if possible; arrive 90–120 minutes early; earmark a quieter concourse for halftime breaks.
• Day 3: Centennial Olympic Park Fan Festival; time your visit to morning/evening to dodge peak heat.
• Day 4: Georgia Aquarium/Civil & Human Rights Center; MARTA to ATL.

Mercedes‑Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium):

June 15 (M14), June 18 (M25), June 21 (M38), June 24 (M50), June 27 (M72), July 1 (M80, R32), July 7 (M95, R16), July 15 (M102, Semi).