Atlanta is about to have its biggest summer in decades. The city is hosting eight matches of the world’s biggest soccer tournament at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, including a semifinal, plus a massive fan festival at Centennial Olympic Park. Visitors from every corner of the globe will be in attendance. Whether you live here or you’re flying in, the city is going to feel different this June and July in the best possible way.
Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of it.
The Matches: What’s Happening and When
Atlanta will host eight total matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (referred to as “Atlanta Stadium” during the tournament), running from June 15 through mid-July 2026. That includes five group-stage games and three knockout rounds, with the semifinal being the marquee event.
If you don’t have tickets to a match, that’s not the end of the story. The official Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park runs June 12 through July 15 on select match days. It’s free to attend (registration required) and features live match broadcasts on a massive screen, concerts, food vendors, interactive games, and cultural programming. Think of it as the city’s living room for the duration of the tournament.
Where to Stay
Hotels in Downtown and Midtown are going fast, and prices reflect it. If you’re still looking, here are some solid options across different neighborhoods and budgets.
Downtown (closest to the stadium and fan festival):
- Signia by Hilton Atlanta is the closest thing to being inside the tournament footprint. The 42-story hotel sits within the same campus as Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Centennial Olympic Park, and the Georgia World Congress Center. The stadium is a 7-minute walk, the fan festival is steps away, and the hotel’s rooftop pool overlooks the Benz directly. It’s upscale and priced accordingly, but for pure tournament convenience, nothing beats the location.
- Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center is essentially connected to the stadium complex via a skywalk, making it another top choice for match days.
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta at Centennial Olympic Park and Hyatt Place Atlanta / Centennial Park put you within walking distance of the stadium, Georgia Aquarium, and World of Coca-Cola.
- Marriott Marquis is a downtown landmark with an iconic atrium lobby, about a 10-minute walk to the stadium.
Midtown (culture, parks, and easy MARTA access):
- Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta and Loews Atlanta Hotel offer upscale options with strong dining on site and walking distance to Piedmont Park.
- The Starling Atlanta Midtown, Curio Collection by Hilton is a solid mid-to-upper option with Arts Center MARTA Station just steps away.
Buckhead (shopping and a calmer vibe):
- InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta and Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead are the top luxury picks in this neighborhood, both with MARTA access for easy stadium trips.
- The St. Regis Atlanta rounds out the five-star options if you want to be further from the stadium crowds.
Budget-conscious travelers should look at Hyatt Place Atlanta Centennial Park for solid value with a prime location, or consider staying in Decatur, which has its own watch parties and events planned and sits directly above a MARTA station.
One key reminder: book early. Prices are already surging for match dates, and the best options won’t last.
Where to Eat
Atlanta’s food scene has exploded over the past few years, and there’s something for every appetite and budget. One bonus for tournament visitors: several of the countries playing in Atlanta have authentic representation in the local restaurant scene, so you can taste the competition before kickoff.
A quick note on the match lineup: Atlanta’s confirmed group-stage teams include Spain, Cabo Verde, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Haiti, and Uzbekistan. We’ve called out relevant restaurants below.
Walking distance / Downtown (under 1.5 miles from the stadium)
- Baraka Shawarma | 68 Walton St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 | ~0.7 miles A Downtown hole-in-the-wall serving outstanding halal shawarma, hummus, and mezze. It’s a few blocks from the stadium and consistently earns rave reviews for authenticity and value. Perfect for Saudi Arabia and Morocco fans looking for familiar flavors close to the action.
- Busy Bee Café (Atlantic Station) | 270 19th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30363 | ~1.5 miles Atlanta’s most storied soul food institution, open since 1947 and a James Beard “America’s Classics” honoree, opened its second location at Atlantic Station in spring 2026. The fried chicken is the real deal and it’s as close to the stadium as any sit-down restaurant worth recommending.
Short ride away / Midtown and West Midtown (2–4 miles from the stadium)
- South City Kitchen Midtown | 1144 Crescent Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 | ~3 miles The go-to for elevated Southern comfort food. The shrimp and grits are a benchmark dish. Expect a lively crowd on match days.
- Boqueria Colony Square | 1186 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30361 | ~3.5 miles Spanish tapas and paella in the heart of Midtown, right at Colony Square. An obvious pick for Spain fans, with a menu built around small plates, jamón, and an excellent wine list leaning heavily into Spanish varietals.
- Rumi’s Kitchen (Colony Square) | 1197 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30361 | ~3.5 miles James Beard-recognized Persian cuisine in a warm, upscale setting. Rich with the spices and flavors of the broader Middle East, making it a strong choice around Saudi Arabia and Morocco match days.
- Chai Pani | 1198 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 | ~3 miles James Beard Award-recognized Indian street food with dishes that balance tradition and creativity. One of the most celebrated restaurants in Atlanta regardless of the occasion.
- Cooks & Soldiers | 691 14th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 | ~3 miles Basque-style pintxos in West Midtown, one of Atlanta’s best tapas experiences. Another great option for Spain fans, with a menu focused on the flavors of Northern Spain.
- Desta Ethiopian Kitchen (Westside) | 2250 Marietta Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 | ~2.5 miles East African cuisine that resonates well beyond Ethiopia’s borders. The Westside location is the closer of Desta’s two Atlanta spots. South Africa fans looking for African flavors will feel right at home here, and it’s a genuine local institution.
A short MARTA ride / Old Fourth Ward and Inman Park (3–5 miles from the stadium)
- Buena Vida Tapas Bar | 240 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 | ~3.5 miles Southern Spain-inspired tapas right on the BeltLine in Old Fourth Ward, with a patio facing Historic Fourth Ward Park. The gambas al ajillo and jamón croquetas are standouts, and the sangria is among the best in the city. A natural home base for Spain and Cabo Verde fans.
- Staplehouse | 541 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312 | ~3 miles Nationally recognized, with a constantly evolving seasonal menu and a meaningful community story behind it. One of Atlanta’s most celebrated dining destinations.
- Gunshow | 924 Garrett St SE, Atlanta, GA 30316 | ~4 miles Chef Kevin Gillespie’s dim sum-style concept in Glenwood Park, where chefs bring dishes tableside from a rotating menu. Unlike anything else in the city and consistently celebrated by national food media.
Food halls (great for groups with varied tastes)
- Ponce City Market | 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 | ~3.5 miles A converted Sears building on the BeltLine Eastside Trail with diverse dining on multiple levels, plus a rooftop with skyline views.
- Krog Street Market | 99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 | ~3.5 miles Named one of the top food halls in the country, with artisanal vendors in a historic setting.
Worth the trip to Decatur (~8 miles, direct MARTA access)
- Kimball House | 303 E Howard Ave, Decatur, GA 30030 | ~8 miles Set inside a former train depot, known for exceptional oysters and some of the best cocktails in Atlanta. Decatur is easily accessible via the MARTA Blue/Green line.
- Manje Lakay | 4086 Covington Hwy Ste 100, Decatur, GA 30032 | ~9 miles A family-owned Haitian restaurant serving authentic dishes including griot, diri ak djon djon, and fried plantains. Atlanta’s Haitian population is more than 30,000 strong, and this is one of the most authentic spots in the metro. A meaningful stop for Haiti fans.
A note on Uzbekistan: Atlanta does have its first Uzbek restaurant, Laghman Express, known for hand-pulled noodles and the national dish plov. It’s located in Alpharetta at 3070 Windward Plaza, about 30 miles north of the stadium. It’s a trek, but for fans of Uzbekistan looking for a genuine taste of home, it’s worth knowing about.
Bars and Watch Party Spots
You don’t need a ticket to feel the energy of the tournament. Atlanta’s bar scene is ready for it.
- Park Tavern overlooks Piedmont Park and is one of the city’s most iconic spots for watching live sports with a crowd. Expect big screens and a big atmosphere on match days.
- Brewhouse Cafe in Little Five Points was named America’s Best Soccer Bar in 2025 and is opening a second location near the stadium specifically for the tournament. It’s the soccer fan’s home base.
- Eclipse di Luna (BeltLine location) offers Spanish tapas and sangria alongside Latin music. It’s a natural fit for the international vibe of the tournament.
- Ladybird on the Eastside Trail has a large outdoor area with shuffleboard, craft cocktails, and a relaxed, social atmosphere.
- For a broader sweep of match-day watch party options, over 40 restaurants and bars in Decatur have signed on as official viewing locations for WatchFest ’26, a 34-day soccer celebration happening above the Decatur MARTA station.
Getting Around
This is the part that will make or break your experience, so pay attention.
MARTA is your best friend. Atlanta’s rail system connects Hartsfield-Jackson airport directly to downtown with a station inside the terminal concourse. From the airport, take the Red or Gold line north to downtown. For the stadium, transfer at Five Points Station (the main hub where all four lines meet) and take the Blue or Green line to the SEC District Station (formerly CNN Center/GWCC) or Vine City Station. A single ride costs $2.50.
MARTA is making several improvements specifically for the tournament: a new tap-and-go fare system will let you pay with your credit card, phone, or smartwatch, and multilingual transit ambassadors in branded soccer jerseys will be stationed at key stops to help visitors navigate. These upgrades make it genuinely convenient even for first-time visitors.
Rideshare (use strategically). Uber and Lyft will be available, but expect significantly higher prices on match days, sometimes $50–80 or more for short trips near the stadium. If you need a rideshare after a match, consider walking 10–15 minutes away from the stadium area before requesting your ride so the surge pricing drops.
Skip the rental car. Downtown parking can run $45–60 per night, traffic will be heavier than usual, and MARTA genuinely covers the routes you’ll need most. Atlanta is actually one of the rare U.S. cities where public transit is the better choice for a major global event.
The Atlanta Streetcar adds another layer of Downtown circulation with 12 stops across the core, useful for shorter trips between fan zones, hotels, and restaurants.
Things to Do
Atlanta has more going on than most visitors expect. Here’s what to see and do, organized by how far you are from the stadium.
Walking distance / Downtown (under 1 mile from the stadium)
The Centennial Park District clusters several of Atlanta’s biggest attractions within a few blocks of each other, making it easy to fill a full day without ever needing a car or a MARTA card.
- Georgia Aquarium | 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 | ~0.5 miles One of the largest aquariums in the world, with whale sharks, beluga whales, manta rays, and a 100-foot underwater tunnel. Plan two to four hours and book timed tickets in advance. It sells out during peak periods.
- World of Coca-Cola | 121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 | ~0.5 miles A surprisingly entertaining deep-dive into the history of Atlanta’s most famous export, including the secret formula vault and a global beverage tasting room. Right next door to the Georgia Aquarium. A combo ticket for both saves over 20%.
- National Center for Civil and Human Rights | 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 | ~0.5 miles A powerful museum connecting the American Civil Rights Movement to present-day global human rights struggles. One of the most moving experiences in the city, and steps from the Georgia Aquarium.
- College Football Hall of Fame | 250 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 | ~0.5 miles 94,000 square feet of interactive sports history. Even for visitors who don’t follow American football, the exhibits are well done and genuinely engaging for sports fans of any background.
Pro tip: The Atlanta CityPASS bundles five top attractions including the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola at up to 47% off. Worth it if you’re spending several days in the city.
Short ride away / Midtown and West Midtown (1.5–4 miles from the stadium)
- Atlantic Station | 1380 Atlantic Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30363 | ~1.5 miles A walkable open-air district with restaurants, shops, and entertainment options that make it a solid half-day destination. The Regal Atlantic Station movie theater is here, along with Lucky Strike (34 lanes of blacklight bowling plus an arcade and full bar at 261 19th St NW), and frequent outdoor vendor markets and community events throughout the summer. For budget-conscious visitors, the IKEA inside Atlantic Station is genuinely one of the best cheap meal options in the area. There’s also a Target if you need to stock up on anything for your stay.
- High Museum of Art | 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 | ~3.5 miles Atlanta’s premier art museum, located in Midtown. The building itself, designed by architect Richard Meier, is an architectural landmark in its own right. Strong permanent collection and rotating exhibitions throughout the summer.
- Atlanta Botanical Garden | 1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 | ~3.5 miles 25 acres of curated gardens adjacent to Piedmont Park, including a canopy walk through the treetops. A genuinely beautiful escape from the summer crowds.
- Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park | 450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312 | ~2.5 miles One of the most significant sites in American history, and free to visit. The park includes Dr. King’s birth home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and the King Center. Plan at least two to three hours. A must for international visitors.
Worth the trip (5+ miles from the stadium)
- Atlanta History Center | 130 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305 | ~6 miles Thirty-three acres in Buckhead covering everything from the Civil War to Atlanta’s rise as a modern city. The Swan House and the surrounding gardens alone are worth the visit.
Parks and Outdoor Spaces
Atlanta’s nickname — “the city in the forest” — is well earned, and summer is a great time to experience why.
- Centennial Olympic Park | 265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 | ~0.3 miles The heart of the tournament fan festival, and a worthwhile stop even on non-match days. The rings fountain is the most photographed spot in downtown Atlanta, and the park hosts regular programming all summer.
- Piedmont Park | 1320 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 | ~3.5 miles The anchor of Midtown and the most beloved outdoor space in the city. Dog-friendly, open for picnics and pickup games, and the northern entry point for the BeltLine Eastside Trail. On a summer evening, there is nowhere better to be in Atlanta.
- The Atlanta BeltLine (Eastside Trail) | Access from 10th St & Monroe Dr NE | ~3.5 miles A 22-mile loop of trails connecting 45 neighborhoods, lined with public art, restaurants, and breweries. The Eastside Trail is the most developed section, running from Piedmont Park through Old Fourth Ward to Reynoldstown. Walkable, bikeable, and scooterable, with rentals available at multiple points along the route.
- Historic Fourth Ward Park | 680 Dallas St NE, Atlanta, GA 30312 | ~3.5 miles Seventeen acres of greenspace right off the Eastside Trail, with a splash pad for kids and skyline views. A good spot to decompress between events.
- Stone Mountain Park | 1000 Robert E Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 | ~20 miles Panoramic views of the Atlanta skyline from the summit, plus hiking and a full slate of outdoor activities. Worth a half-day if you want to get outside the city proper.
Neighborhoods Worth Exploring
Atlanta’s neighborhoods each have their own character. Here’s a quick orientation.
Old Fourth Ward / Inman Park: This is where the BeltLine Eastside Trail comes alive. Walkable, full of restaurants and murals, and home to Krog Street Market and Ponce City Market. The energy here during the tournament will be strong.
Midtown: Arts, culture, Piedmont Park, and easy MARTA access. The High Museum of Art and Atlanta Botanical Garden are both here, giving you options beyond the soccer bubble.
Buckhead: Think upscale dining, boutique shopping, and tree-lined residential streets. Good base if you want a slightly quieter retreat from the stadium district.
Decatur: Just east of the city via MARTA, Decatur is walkable, locally owned, and hosting its own month-long watch festival above the train station. It’s worth a half-day even if you’re staying downtown.
Little Five Points: Eclectic, creative, and home to Brewhouse Cafe (the soccer bar). This neighborhood has an energy all its own and is a short drive or Uber from downtown.
Tips for Locals Navigating the City
If you live here, you already know the city. But this summer is going to be different.
Expect real traffic disruption on match days. The matches run from June 15 through mid-July, and crowd movement around the stadium, fan festival, and downtown corridor will be significant on game days. Build in extra time, or lean into MARTA yourself.
Take advantage of what’s happening in your own backyard. The FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park is free with registration. Decatur’s WatchFest is free. The energy downtown during tournament weeks will be unlike anything most Atlantans have experienced since the 1996 Olympics.
Make reservations early. Restaurants close to Downtown and Midtown are going to be slammed on match days. Book ahead for any restaurant you actually want to get into.
Show visitors around. Atlanta has a remarkable opportunity this summer to make a strong impression on an international audience. The locals who lean into that tend to have the best time.
Atlanta is ready. The city has invested nearly $950 million in new developments leading up to this tournament, from Centennial Yards to South Downtown to The Center. The infrastructure is there, the food scene is world-class, and the culture runs deep.
Whether you’re here for the soccer, the city, or both, this is going to be a summer worth showing up for.
