Category: Downtown Development

Decatur unveils its $8.5M reimagined town square — and a 60-match World Cup 'WatchFest' to christen it

Decatur just opened the first phase of its Town Center Plan 2.0 — and is christening it with Decatur WatchFest '26: 60+ World Cup matches on three big screens plus 34 free concerts over five weeks.

Decatur unveils its $8.5M reimagined town square — and a 60-match World Cup WatchFest to christen it

If you're heading east of downtown over the next five weeks, Decatur just gave you a brand-new reason to make the trip. The City of Decatur recently took down the gates on an $8.5-million revamp of Historic Decatur Square — the first major update to the square since the 1980s, and the opening phase of the city's Town Center Plan 2.0.

What's new in the square:

  • Expanded size and greenspaces
  • A larger, modernized performing arts stage (replacing the old bandstand near MARTA's Swanton Way entrance)
  • An open, car-free plaza
  • A children's play area, partially built into a hill
  • A standalone building with permanent public restrooms
  • Expansive social zones around the DeKalb History Center Museum (the former courthouse)

Decatur WatchFest '26

The reveal is timed for what's expected to be one of metro Atlanta's largest World Cup hubs outside downtown. Decatur WatchFest '26 will run more than 60 World Cup matches on three large screens over the next five weeks, including every USMNT group-stage match and beyond.

No tickets required for the matches. At least one match per day is on the screens. Full match schedule here.

The free concert lineup

Alongside the matches: 34 concerts, 31 of them free with no ticket required. Three are ticketed:

  • The War & Treaty
  • Big Boisold out
  • Indigo Girlssold out

How to get there

MARTA blue/green line to Decatur Station — the square is steps from the platform exit. The Swanton Way entrance puts you right at the new performing arts stage.

Source: Urbanize Atlanta (Josh Green, June 10, 2026).

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