Even if you’re not attending a match inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, this is still a once-in-a-lifetime moment! Atlanta will host multiple fan zones during the World Cup, giving everyone a chance to experience the World Cup atmosphere without stepping foot inside the Benz. From the official FIFA Fan Festival downtown to a 34-day party in Decatur, there’s no shortage of places to watch, celebrate, and enjoy the beautiful game.
FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park
The official FIFA Fan Festival will take over Centennial Olympic Park for 20 days during the tournament. The park sits less than a 10 minute walk from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, making it the natural gathering spot before and after matches.
Expect live broadcasts of every match on massive screens, plus concerts, food vendors, sponsor activations, and cultural programming running throughout the day and into the night. The production is being handled by Solomon Group and WINK, two companies with FIFA experience dating back to the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Centennial Olympic Park was the heart of the 1996 Summer Olympics, so there’s a nice symmetry to it hosting soccer’s biggest event 30 years later. The park is free to enter year-round, though FIFA Fan Festival specifics on admission and hours haven’t been announced yet. Keep an eye on atlantafwc26.com for updates as the tournament gets closer.
Getting There: MARTA’s Blue and Green lines stop at the SEC/GWCC/CNN Center Station, which puts you right at the park. Check out our complete MARTA guide for step-by-step directions. If you’re staying downtown, it’s an easy walk from most hotels near the stadium.
Decatur WatchFest ’26
The City of Decatur is throwing its own 34-day celebration called WatchFest ’26, running the entire length of the tournament from June 11 through July 19. The newly renovated Decatur Square will serve as the main hub, with large outdoor screens showing select matches and nightly concerts featuring local and national acts.
Big Boi is headlining opening night on June 11. The Indigo Girls will close things out on July 19 with a free concert on the final day of the World Cup. Both shows are free and open to the public.
Beyond the Square, over 40 Decatur restaurants and pubs have signed on as official WatchFest locations, meaning you can catch every match somewhere in town. The whole thing is designed to capture the energy of the World Cup without needing to fight traffic into downtown Atlanta.
Decatur Square sits directly above the Decatur MARTA station on the Blue and Green lines. If you’re coming from the stadium or downtown, it’s a quick ride east. See our MARTA guide for route details. The city also has over 2,500 parking spaces if you’re driving in.
Website: decaturwatchfest26.com
Pre-Tournament Matches in Atlanta
Before the World Cup even kicks off, Atlanta will host two major USMNT friendlies at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. These are your best chance to see the national team play on home soil before the tournament begins.
USA vs. Belgium takes place on March 28, 2026, with a 3:30 PM kickoff. Belgium is ranked eighth in the world and features players like Kevin De Bruyne. The last time these teams met at a World Cup was the 2014 Round of 16, when Tim Howard made a record 16 saves in a heartbreaking 2-1 loss in extra time.
USA vs. Portugal follows three days later on March 31, 2026, at 7:00 PM. Portugal is ranked sixth and just won the UEFA Nations League. Cristiano Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer in international soccer history, could make his first appearance on American soil in over a decade.
Both matches are part of the USMNT’s final preparations before Mauricio Pochettino names his World Cup roster. Atlanta United season ticket holders will have the Belgium match included in their 2026 packages.
Tickets went on sale to the general public on December 5, 2025. Need a place to stay for the March matches? See our hotel guide for options near the stadium.
Watch Parties at Atlanta’s Best Soccer Bars
If the official fan zones aren’t your style, Atlanta has no shortage of bars and pubs that will be packed for every match.
Brewhouse Cafe in Little Five Points was named America’s Best Soccer Bar by Men in Blazers in 2025. The bar has 28 screens and has been a home for soccer fans since 1997, and a new location will be opening very close to Mercedes-Benz Stadium shortly before the tournament.
Fado Irish Pub has been showing soccer since the days of the Atlanta Ruckus. It draws a mixed crowd of Premier League die-hards and national team supporters.
For the full list of soccer bars, breweries, and places to grab a drink before or after the match, check out our guide to the best bars near Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Looking for food instead? Our restaurant guide covers the best spots within walking distance.
Men in Blazers in Atlanta
The Atlanta World Cup Host Committee has partnered with Men in Blazers Media Network to host multiple live shows during the tournament. These events will feature guests from Atlanta’s soccer, entertainment, and cultural scene as part of the network’s Tour of America.
Men in Blazers previously hosted a live show at Brewhouse Cafe in March 2025 when they presented the bar with the America’s Best Soccer Bar award.
Details on specific dates and locations for the Atlanta shows haven’t been announced yet. Follow meninblazers.com for updates.
Scarves and Spikes Live Shows
We’ll be hosting our own Scarves and Spikes live shows during the World Cup. Our pre-match events typically take place at Nest on Four at the Signia by Hilton, which sits right next to Mercedes-Benz Stadium with direct views of the action outside.
We’re still finalizing details for our 2026 World Cup programming, but expect live podcast recordings, guest appearances, and a chance to connect with fellow Atlanta soccer fans before heading into the stadium. Follow us on social media and subscribe to the podcast to get announcements as soon as we lock things down!
This guide is part of our complete World Cup 2026 Atlanta coverage.