Atlanta World Cup 2026 Host City Guide | Xenia Events
World Cup 2026 Host City

Atlanta & Mercedes-Benz Stadium

One of the tournament’s biggest U.S. venues — Atlanta hosts multiple group matches plus a Round of 32, Round of 16, and a Semifinal.

🇺🇸 United States Matches June–July 2026 Host Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)

Snapshot

Atlanta at a Glance

Host Stadium
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Match Types
Group Stage • Round of 32 • Round of 16 • Semifinal
Airport
ATL (Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International)
Stadium Location
Downtown Atlanta (walkable to hotels + attractions)
Best Areas to Stay
Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead
Ideal Stay Length
3–6 nights per match cluster
Stadium Guide

Mercedes-Benz Stadium Matchday Experience

Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a world-class venue in the heart of Downtown Atlanta. It’s one of the best “city + stadium” setups in the U.S. — strong hotel inventory nearby and easy access to transit, dining, and attractions.

What to Expect
  • Large-capacity venue and a major tournament path (including a Semifinal).
  • Walkable Downtown corridors for many hotels and restaurants.
  • Security screening and entry lines increase as the tournament progresses.
  • Atlanta summer weather can be hot/humid — plan hydration and lightweight layers.
Matchday Tips
  • Arrive 90–120 minutes early (more for the Semifinal).
  • Use MARTA rail when it fits your route — it can beat traffic on matchdays.
  • Confirm bag policy and keep it minimal.
  • Pick a post-match meetup point if traveling in a group.
Where to Stay

Best Areas for World Cup Visitors

Downtown
Closest + Walkable

The most convenient base for Mercedes-Benz Stadium — walkable routes, big-brand hotels, and easy access to fan-week activity corridors. Ideal for guests prioritizing match logistics.

Midtown
Dining + Nightlife

A strong mix of hotels, restaurants, and a more “neighborhood” city feel. Great for visitors who want options beyond Downtown, with simple rideshare or MARTA access.

Buckhead
Upscale Corridors

Premium hotels, high-end shopping, and strong dining. Best for guests wanting an upscale base with solid transit/rideshare access to Downtown.

Decatur
Local Favorite

A charming, more local area with great restaurants. Best for travelers who prefer a calmer pace and don’t mind a slightly longer commute.

Hotels

Where We Typically Place Guests

We match hotels to your match schedule, preferred neighborhoods, and budget. Below are examples of the kinds of properties we typically use. Final selection depends on dates, demand, and match assignment.

Luxury & 5-Star

  • Premium Buckhead properties
  • High-service Midtown hotels
  • Top-tier Downtown options (limited + high demand)
  • Curated luxury corridors by match cluster

4-Star Favorites

  • Downtown full-service brands
  • Midtown staples near dining corridors
  • Group-friendly business-class hotels
  • Reliable access for match-day routing

Upper-Midrange Options

  • Select-service brands with strong value
  • Airport-access corridors for tight itineraries
  • Clean, practical bases for multi-city trips
  • Curated stays by match dates

Your package will specify confirmed hotel options and neighborhoods before you commit.

Transportation

Getting Around Atlanta & to Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Atlanta is a major flight hub and a strong match-week city — but like any big event destination, match day is where planning matters. Downtown is the easiest base, and MARTA can be a smart tool depending on your route.

Airport
  • ATL — one of the busiest airports in the world; frequent flights and strong connectivity.
  • MARTA rail can connect ATL to Downtown/Midtown depending on your hotel location.
Getting to the Stadium
  • Walk from many Downtown hotels (best-case logistics).
  • MARTA rail + short walk for select Midtown/Buckhead corridors.
  • Private SUV/Sprinter for groups and controlled timing.
  • Rideshare after matches can bottleneck — define a pickup strategy.
Match Calendar

Mercedes-Benz Stadium World Cup 2026 Match Schedule

Matches hosted at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Team placeholders (e.g., “W86”) reflect bracket positions and will resolve after group results. Kickoff times may be adjusted by organizers.

Match 14Group Stage
Spain vs Cape Verde
Monday, June 15, 2026 · Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Match 25Group Stage
UEFA Winner D vs South Africa
Thursday, June 18, 2026 · Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Match 38Group Stage
Spain vs Saudi Arabia
Sunday, June 21, 2026 · Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Match 50Group Stage
Morocco vs Haiti
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 · Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Match 72Group Stage
IC Winner 1 vs Uzbekistan
Saturday, June 27, 2026 · Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Match 80Round of 32
1L vs 3E/H/I/J/K
Wednesday, July 1, 2026 · Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Match 95Round of 16
W86 vs W88
Tuesday, July 7, 2026 · Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Match 102Semifinal
W99 vs W100
Wednesday, July 15, 2026 · Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)

Want a simple plan? We can build packages around any match above — hotels, transport, and ticket options tailored to your group.

Between Matches

Things to Do in Atlanta

Top Sights
  • Georgia Aquarium + Centennial Olympic Park (easy Downtown combo).
  • World of Coca-Cola (classic Atlanta stop).
  • Atlanta BeltLine (walk, bars, patios, and neighborhoods).
  • MLK National Historical Park (historic + meaningful visit).
  • Ponce City Market (food hall, shopping, rooftop views).
Food & Nightlife
  • Midtown dining corridors + cocktail lounges.
  • BeltLine bars and patios (great for groups).
  • Downtown pre-match dinners for walkable logistics.
  • Curated reservations based on your hotel location.
For Families & Extra Days
  • Zoo Atlanta (daytime family option).
  • Piedmont Park (picnic + city views).
  • Day trip ideas on request (depending on match spacing).

If you’d like, we can fold dining reservations and sightseeing into your World Cup itinerary so everything is confirmed before you arrive.

Traveler Tips

Safety & Practical Advice

General Safety

  • Use rideshare late at night and stick to well-traveled areas after events.
  • Be mindful of valuables in crowded zones and transit corridors.
  • Heat/humidity: hydrate and plan breaks in AC.

Matchday

  • Arrive early: knockout matches bring longer entry/security lines.
  • Confirm official gate entry and routing rules for your match.
  • Set a post-match meetup point if your group splits up.

Movement

  • Downtown is the easiest base; plan geographically if staying elsewhere.
  • Use official queues and avoid unmarked vehicles.
  • Your Xenia advisor can recommend the best corridors for your match dates.
Packages

Atlanta World Cup Packages with Xenia

We design fully managed Atlanta itineraries that connect match tickets, hotel placement, and coordinated transportation into one streamlined trip. Every package is customized around your dates, match priorities, and service level.

  • Group-stage packages built around 1–2 matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
  • Knockout-stage routing (RO32/RO16/Semifinal) by request.
  • Multi-city routes combining Atlanta with other U.S. host cities.
  • Premium hotel corridors with match-day transportation included.
  • Private SUVs or Sprinters for your group with match-day coordination.
FAQ

Atlanta World Cup FAQ

Which airport should we fly into?
ATL is the primary airport and offers the best flight options. It’s also connected to parts of the city by MARTA rail.
Should I stay Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead?
Downtown is best for walkability to the stadium. Midtown is great for dining/nightlife. Buckhead is best for upscale hotel corridors.
How early should we leave for matches?
Plan to arrive in the stadium area 2+ hours before kickoff for RO16/Semifinal. For group matches, 90–120 minutes is usually a safe buffer.
Are match tickets included in Xenia packages?
Yes. Our packages are built around verified match access and seating categories, with hotels and transportation layered on top.

Ready to Plan Atlanta World Cup 2026?

We’ll send tailored options with tickets, hotel placement, and match-day transportation — built around your preferred Atlanta match dates at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Office: +1 (512) 900-4347  |  Call / Text: +1 (737) 393-1800

Email: info@xeniaevents.com  |  Web: xeniaevents.com

Independence Statement: Xenia Events LLC is an independent travel and hospitality provider and is not affiliated with FIFA, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, or any official World Cup organizing body. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.