Category: Downtown Development

Construction starts on planetarium-sized sports and entertainment venue downtown

Construction has begun on Cosm, a 70,000-square-foot dome entertainment venue set to anchor downtown Atlanta's Centennial Yards development. A 'steel rising' ceremony marked the launch of the immersive sports venue, which aims to open by 2026 in time for the World Cup.

New steel structure at Centennial Yards construction site during the Cosm Atlanta Steel Rising Ceremony, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Atlanta, with Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena visible in the background.

Construction has begun on Cosm, a 70,000-square-foot dome entertainment venue set to anchor downtown Atlanta's Centennial Yards development. Rather than a traditional groundbreaking ceremony, city leaders and executives held a "steel rising" ceremony on Thursday, May 15, 2025, to mark the project's launch.

The venue utilizes planetarium technology to create an immersive sports viewing experience, featuring an 87-foot diameter LED dome. Cosm already operates locations in Los Angeles and Dallas; the Atlanta location will be its third venue.

Jeb Terry, Cosm's president and CEO, said: "The A is rising. There's so much energy and excitement around this district and development, it's tangible." The Atlanta location will offer city-specific amenities, including sweet tea and lemon pepper wings, and will employ hundreds upon completion.

The $5 billion Centennial Yards development spans approximately 50 acres of former rail lines and parking lots between Five Points MARTA Station and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Live Nation was recently announced as the operator of a 5,300-seat concert venue within the district, though that venue will not be ready by the World Cup.

Project executives aim to complete Cosm by 2026 to coincide with the World Cup. Additional components expected before World Cup matches include a 19-story apartment building, the 292-room Hotel Phoenix, and a fan zone accommodating 3,000 to 4,000 people.

Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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