With less than a week to Atlanta's first FIFA World Cup match, the region's tournament calendar filled in fast. Some of it good news, some of it not.
MARTA's new fleet slips its date. The transit agency's next-generation CQ400 rail cars did not debut for a planned "first ride" on June 4. Senior Director of Communications Stephany Fisher told Rough Draft Atlanta the delay is safety-driven: MARTA is holding the cars until all testing and safety certifications are complete. The slip lands the same week U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced a Federal Transit Administration investigation of MARTA following two stabbings in May.
Monday Night's international beer collab. Monday Night Brewing is premiering two limited-edition beers during its Summer of Soccer program. 2XÑEIPA — a paella-inspired New England Double IPA co-brewed with Barcelona's Garage Beer Co. — debuts June 15 in time for Spain vs. Cabo Verde. A Czech Pale Lager brewed with Prague's Dva Kohouti (Žatec and Kazbek hops) debuts June 18 for Czechia vs. South Africa. Both will pour at Monday Night's Berkeley Park and West End taprooms while supplies last.
Bank of America's $2 million ticket donation. World Cup sponsor Bank of America has donated $2 million to fund free tickets across the tournament for honorably discharged veterans, active military members, and current and retired first responders — registered nurses, 911 dispatchers, law enforcement, EMS, and fire service. Veterans and active military register via VetTix; first responders register through 1stTix.
Georgia Commute Options game plan. The state agency published a workplace-friendly commuting guide for the tournament, including a table of peak transportation times on match days and encouragement to temporary flex-work arrangements for downtown employers.
Regional fan events. The Home Depot at 870 Woodstock Road in Roswell hosted Clutch the Bald Eagle, Maple the Moose, and Zayu the Jaguar — the official 2026 FIFA World Cup mascots — for a free family event with mini tabletop soccer builds on June 6. Smyrna joined a coordinated worldwide juggling record attempt at Village Green Park the same day, aiming for 20,000 simultaneous jugglers across Europe, North and South America for a 10-second synchronized round.
Original reporting: Rough Draft Atlanta (June 6, 2026)