Atlanta will host eight FIFA World Cup matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, starting June 15 with Spain vs. Cabo Verde and culminating with a semifinal on July 15. Here is the essential guide to experiencing the tournament in the city.
Match Schedule
June 15: Spain vs. Cabo Verde (Noon) · June 18: Czechia vs. South Africa (Noon) · June 21: Spain vs. Saudi Arabia (Noon) · June 24: Morocco vs. Haiti (6 p.m.) · June 27: Congo DR vs. Uzbekistan (7:30 p.m.) · July 1: Round of 32 (Noon) · July 7: Round of 16 (Noon) · July 15: Semifinal (3 p.m.)
Where to Watch Without Tickets
The official FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park (June 11–July 15) offers free admission with advance registration, 40-foot match screens, live music from Ludacris, Killer Mike, CeeLo Green, and Summer Walker, plus paid packages from $45 to $325. Decatur WatchFest runs 34 days with free concerts on the Square. Cosm at Centennial Yards broadcasts 40 matches on an 87-foot LED dome. And Smorgasburg transforms into The World Grub with international food vendors and match screenings on every game day.
Getting Around
MARTA one-way fare is $2.50. Key stations near the stadium: SEC District and Vine City (blue/green lines), plus Five Points (10-minute walk). The system now accepts phone wallet tap-to-pay. Download the MARTA app or Terminus for real-time tracking. Expect 1996 Olympics-level traffic, so plan ahead.
Best Neighborhoods
West End offers historic charm near the buzzy Lee + White development. Castleberry Hill's converted warehouses are where supporter marches begin. South Downtown is the city's first open-container district. Little Five Points delivers eclectic dining and The Brewhouse Cafe, America's best soccer bar. Inman Park provides Beltline access and Inman Quarter dining. Decatur Square has soccer-friendly bars like Brick Store Pub.
Tickets
Single-game tickets range from $650 to $8,100 on FIFA's official site, with resale available through SeatGeek, StubHub, and SeatPick. Stadium concession prices are expected to remain among America's cheapest per owner Arthur Blank.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
