ATLANTA — Soccer fans from around the world will travel to Atlanta in 2026 for all eight World Cup matches, including the semifinals, to be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Atlanta Sports Council said this is expected to be the largest World Cup in history, with games hosted by Atlanta making it like eight Super Bowls in one month.
“We now have a rail line that comes directly downtown from the airport to the stadium, making it easy for anyone in the world to get to Atlanta,” said Dan Corso, president of the Atlanta Sports Council.
Corso said Atlanta is a suitable destination for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for these reasons.
When soccer fans from all over the world come downtown, it's easy to get around, Corso said.
“It becomes very valuable in the planning process. It becomes very efficient,” Corso said.
However, for those staying more than a short walk away, MARTA is a good option. MARTA said it is two train stations away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium and will be ready to host the world championships in 2026.
To support the large influx of passengers, it plans to deploy ambassadors at the busiest stations to assist people, as well as loading teams to help people get on and off trains. This also helps prevent the platform from becoming crowded.
MARTA said it plans to run more trains before and after the games and during other related World Cup events. There will also be an increased presence of MARTA police to ensure the safe passage of anticipated crowds.
