In a FIFA peculiarity, Mercedes-Benz Stadium won't be referred to by its bought name during the 2026 World Cup. Instead, FIFA will refer to the $1.6-billion venue by a more generic moniker, Atlanta Stadium, according to a stadium spokesman.
FIFA prohibits the use of corporate sponsors in stadium names. Stadium officials said they don't yet know what that prohibition means for any other Mercedes-Benz signage in or on the building, which includes the carmaker's logo on its retractable roof.
Atlanta and Mercedes-Benz will host eight games in the 2026 World Cup, including one of the semifinals. The stadium will host matches on June 15, June 18, June 21, June 24, and June 27 in the group stage, a knockout round match on July 1, a Round of 16 match on July 7, and a semifinal on July 15. Grass will also need to be installed as the playing surface for the World Cup.
Mercedes-Benz signed a naming rights deal with the stadium in 2015 that runs for 27 years. The prohibition won't affect the SheBelieves Cup or Copa America matches held in Atlanta. The same naming rule will apply to the other 10 venues in the United States — 12 of the 16 North American host stadiums carry corporate sponsorships.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
