Castleberry Hill picked up a new front yard this summer. The Commons at Castleberry Hill, an outdoor gathering space at 443 Nelson Street SW, made its debut during the 2026 World Cup with Soccer Fest, a run of 15 free, family-friendly days between Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, July 19.
The space comes from Russell New Urban Development, the real estate development arm of H. J. Russell & Company. It sits just east of Northside Drive, between Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), right next to Atlantucky Brewing at 170 Northside Drive. That puts it a short trip from the stadium, inside the Castleberry Hill Historic Arts District.
What Soccer Fest offered
The centerpiece was a public viewing area with a large LED screen showing approved World Cup games during event hours. Around it, organizers lined up DJs, food trucks, other family-friendly activities and goods for sale from local small businesses. Most days were scheduled from 2 to 8 p.m., with hours shifted to noon to 8 p.m. for early games and 2 to 10 p.m. for night games.
The 15 dates were June 13, 15, 21, 27 and 28, and July 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 15, 18 and 19. Organizers promised that, like the games themselves, each day would offer a different experience, with neighbors and visitors from across the country and world invited to all of them.
Room for local businesses
A big part of the idea was spreading the World Cup's economic boost around the neighborhood. Soccer Fest made room for up to 150 local entrepreneurs and 75 food truck operators, and Castleberry Hill businesses along with stakeholder businesses at RICE were invited to show and sell their products. The organizers tied the effort to Mayor Andre Dickens' mission of making sure the tournament happens with Atlanta.
Delilah Wynn-Brown, vice president of Russell New Urban Development, called the World Cup a once-in-a-generation chance to welcome the world to Atlanta. She described Soccer Fest as more than a watch party: a place where culture, community and entrepreneurship come together while showing off the energy and diversity of Castleberry Hill.
A space meant to last
The Commons was introduced as more than a one-summer pop-up. Zane Major, director of asset management at H. J. Russell & Company and grandson of the late founder Herman J. Russell Sr., said the company sees it as a hub for connection during the World Cup and beyond. He pointed to its location just blocks from the Atlanta University Center, the Castleberry Hill arts and eateries district, and the new development on the westside and in South Downtown as reasons it can keep bringing people together for events in the future.
The site also carries family history. The neighborhood holds nearly 75 years of H. J. Russell & Company history, and it is Atlanta's designated historic, landmarked arts district. The company itself was founded in 1952.
For Soccer Fest, guests were encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets, since seating was limited, and to arrive by MARTA, rideshare, on foot or by pedicab from the area around the stadium. First aid was planned on site, and the schedule was set to run rain or shine unless the weather turned dangerous.
For more on what is happening at The Commons, organizers point visitors to castleberrycommons.com.
Also described on The Commons at Castleberry Hill website.
Source: Atlanta Daily World, June 11, 2026.
