Road to USA 2026: discovering the cities that will host the World Cup – Episode 1
Number of games: Eight, including the semi-final match
1. A 90-minute walking tour of Mercedes-Benz Stadium takes fans through the locker rooms of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United (Major League Soccer Cup champions). Highlights include the playing field, scoping the Atlanta skyline from the Window to the City, and stops along the skybridge, premium clubs, and other hidden corners of this LEED-certified stadium.
2. Sample the lemon pepper chicken wings – a local specialty – on the patio at Brewhouse Café, a fan-favorite football bar and an official 2025 Pub Partner of Atlanta United (MLS).
3. Explore the many interactive exhibits at the World of Coca-Cola, including a multi-sensory theater, a scent library, a beverage lab for creating unique concoctions, and opportunities to sample over 100 beverages from around the world—many from tournament countries, some available only here. The beverage company also sponsors the men’s and women’s football rankings, but here visitors get to rank the drinks themselves.
4. Get into the game and play pick-up football at one of five fields built along MARTA transit stations through StationSoccer, a community project from Soccer in the Streets that links fields via public transportation to create the world’s first football transit league.
5. The Georgia Aquarium—North America’s largest—invites visitors to explore more than 500 species thriving in over 11 million gallons of water. Its immersive galleries reveal the scale and beauty of the world’s marine ecosystems, complemented by conservation-focused programming and opportunities for animal encounters.
OVERTIME GOALS: ROAD TRIPS FROM ATLANTA
Atlanta is also the perfect starting point for discovering some of the most fascinating destinations in the American Southeast:
• Augusta, Georgia – Famous worldwide for golf and Southern charm.
• Hilton Head Island, South Carolina – A coastal paradise known for its beaches, nature, and outdoor activities.
• Savannah, Georgia – One of America’s most beautiful historic cities, renowned for its architecture, squares, and waterfront.
• Macon, Georgia – Rich in music history, culture, and authentic Southern traditions.
From world-class sports facilities to iconic attractions and unforgettable road trips, Atlanta promises to be one of the standout destinations of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Capacity: 75,000
Opened: 2017
FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule: Five group-stage matches, one Round of 32 match, one Round of 16 match, and one semi-final.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is one of the most innovative and spectacular sports venues in the world. Opened in 2017 in the heart of Atlanta, it quickly became a symbol of the city thanks to its futuristic architecture and cutting-edge technology.
The stadium’s most iconic feature is its retractable roof, made up of eight triangular panels that open and close like a camera lens, a design unlike any other in international sports. Inside, fans can enjoy the massive 360-degree halo video board, one of the largest video displays ever installed in a sports venue.
Standing more than 90 meters (300 feet) tall and capable of hosting up to 75,000 spectators for major soccer events, Mercedes-Benz Stadium was designed to deliver an immersive and comfortable fan experience. It was also the first professional sports stadium in the United States to achieve LEED Platinum certification, the highest standard for environmental sustainability, earning a reputation as one of the most sustainable stadiums in the world.
The venue is home to Atlanta United of Major League Soccer and the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. Since opening, it has hosted some of the biggest sporting and entertainment events in the United States, including Super Bowl LIII, the College Football Playoff National Championship, the MLS All-Star Game, international soccer matches, and concerts by some of the world’s biggest music stars.
During the FIFA World Cup 2026, Mercedes-Benz Stadium will serve as one of the tournament’s premier venues in the United States. In addition to hosting five group-stage matches and two knockout-round games, it will stage one of the tournament’s semi-finals, reinforcing its status as a world-class destination for major sporting events.
Did You Know? The giant “The Falcon” statue located outside the stadium stands more than 22 meters (73 feet) tall and is recognized as the largest bird sculpture in the world, making it one of Atlanta’s most photographed landmarks.
