The FIFA World Cup Arrives in Atlanta as 300,000 Fans Descend on the City for Today's Kickoff

The wait is officially over. Atlanta takes center stage today on the global sports map as Spain faces off against Cabo Verde at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, kicking off an action-packed slate of eight FIFA World Cup matches in the city. With roughly 300,000 unique spectators—including 225,000 out-of-state visitors—converging on the city over the next few weeks, Atlanta's streets, hotels, and fan zones are already pulsing with international energy.

According to William Pate, president and CEO of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, the tournament is projected to generate more than $500 million in economic activity across Georgia.

Pate said Atlanta’s transportation access, walkable convention district, and concentration of businesses near Mercedes-Benz Stadium make it easier for visitors to move between matches and other activities during the tournament.

The tournament places Atlanta alongside major global host cities as fans travel from across Europe, South America, Asia, and beyond.

Signs of the tournament are already appearing across the city. Displays welcoming World Cup visitors and highlighting Atlanta's role as a host city can be found at attractions and gathering places beyond the stadium district, including World of Coca-Cola and Ponce City Market.

As kickoff approaches, sidewalks surrounding Centennial Olympic Park and the stadium district fill with fans in team colors heading toward watch parties and match-related events throughout the area.

Atlanta is one of the more affordable FIFA World Cup host cities for accommodations. According to Lonely Planet, midrange hotel rooms typically range from about $100 to $150 per night, while higher-end hotels generally start around $200, though rates may rise during major events. AirDNA data projects short-term rental rates increasing around several FIFA match dates.

Downtown Hotels Roll Out The Red Carpet For Fans

Among the hotels near the stadium district is Signia by Hilton Atlanta. Connected to the Georgia World Congress Center and within walking distance of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the recently opened hotel places visitors near many of the activities expected to take place around the tournament.

A Signia spokesman said tournament-week programming includes rooftop pool events, fan experiences at its sports bar, internationally inspired food and drink offerings, and wellness activations throughout the property.

A few blocks away, Hotel Phoenix Atlanta sits near Centennial Yards, an area that has become part of nearly $950 million in development surrounding the stadium district ahead of the World Cup, according to Pate.

Hotel Phoenix sits near Atlanta's historic Mile 0, an area tied to the city's origins as a railroad hub. “At Mile 0, the historic terminus of Atlanta, this corridor from Centennial Olympic Park through to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and into Centennial Yards is going to be electric,” said Martin Wormull, general manager of Hotel Phoenix.

Atlanta Attractions Ready for Match-Day Layovers

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Among the city's most visited attractions is the Georgia Aquarium. Families can spend several hours exploring exhibits featuring whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins, and beluga whales between matches and other tournament events.

Nearby, World of Coca-Cola features interactive exhibits and tasting stations where visitors can sample Coca-Cola beverages from around the world.

Centennial Olympic Park is hosting Atlanta’s official tournament fan festival, according to Pate, with watch parties, concerts, food vendors, music, and interactive activities planned throughout the tournament.

Another attraction preparing for increased interest during the tournament is the College Football Hall of Fame.

The Hall has extended operating hours and introduced programming tied to this month’s global sports activity. That includes live match viewing experiences and a specialty exhibit titled “Football: One Name, Two Games,” which explores the global connections between soccer and American football.

“The Hall is uniquely positioned in the heart of Atlanta’s entertainment district, making it a natural gathering place for visitors throughout the summer,” the organization said in a statement.

Beyond individual restaurants, Atlanta's food culture is closely tied to its sports scene. According to Lonely Planet, lemon pepper wings are among Atlanta’s signature foods. They’re commonly served wet or dry and found everywhere from neighborhood takeout counters to sports bars throughout the city.

Where to Eat Between Matches

Beyond the city's signature lemon pepper wings, visitors looking for a meal between matches can experience another side of Atlanta's food scene, from skyline dining to longtime Southern staples.

At The Sun Dial Restaurant, guests dine in a revolving dining room more than 700 feet above the city. The restaurant is one of the few places where visitors can watch the skyline slowly rotate around them while looking across downtown Atlanta and the stadium district.

Meanwhile, Mary Mac's Tea Room is one of Atlanta's best-known Southern restaurants. Opened in 1945, the longtime restaurant has served generations of Atlantans and visitors with Southern comfort food staples, including fried chicken, cornbread, pot likker, and peach cobbler.

The dining room's decades-old atmosphere, walls lined with celebrity photographs, and menu of Southern comfort food continue drawing visitors looking to spend an evening away from the crowds.

As the FIFA World Cup takes over Atlanta this month, many of the moments visitors remember may happen outside the stadium itself. They may happen inside crowded restaurants after matches, in hotel lobbies filled with traveling fans, or on the streets surrounding Mercedes-Benz Stadium between kickoffs.