World Cup 2026 in Atlanta: Matches, Stadium and Travel
Atlanta hosts 8 World Cup 2026 matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a 71,000-seat venue in USA. The city's tournament opens on Mon, Jun 15 and runs through Wed, Jul 15. This guide covers the fixtures, how to reach Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where to stay, and what to do between matches.
Table of Contents
Of the 8 games staged in Atlanta, 5 fall in the group stage and 3 are knockout fixtures. The first kicks off when Spain meet Cabo Verde at 12:00 local time on Mon, Jun 15. All kick-off times below are listed in Atlanta's local zone (New York), so convert them to your home time before you set alarms.
| Date | Match | Kick-off (local) | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, Jun 15 | Spain vs Cabo Verde | 12:00 | Group H |
| Thu, Jun 18 | Czechia vs South Africa | 12:00 | Group A |
| Sun, Jun 21 | Spain vs Saudi Arabia | 12:00 | Group H |
| Wed, Jun 24 | Morocco vs Haiti | 18:00 | Group C |
| Sat, Jun 27 | DR Congo vs Uzbekistan | 19:30 | Group K |
| Wed, Jul 1 | England vs DR Congo | 12:00 | Round of 32 |
| Tue, Jul 7 | Argentina vs Egypt | 12:00 | Round of 16 |
| Wed, Jul 15 | England vs Argentina | 15:00 | Semi final |
Every confirmed World Cup 2026 fixture at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The standout date for Atlanta is the semi final between England and Argentina on Wed, Jul 15. Because Atlanta keeps 3 knockout fixtures, demand for hotels and flights spikes sharply in the back half of the tournament, so lock in refundable bookings before the bracket is set. If you are chasing more than one game here, cluster your stay around the dates in the table above rather than committing to the full window.
How to reach Atlanta for the World Cup
Fly into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) — the busiest airport in the world with direct global flights. From the airport, give yourself a generous buffer on matchdays — crowds peak in the three hours before kick-off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Fly into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL). Stay in Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead near transit lines. Where you can, travel light: Mercedes-Benz Stadium enforces a small-bag policy and queues at screening grow quickly once gates open.
Public transport to Mercedes-Benz Stadium
MARTA rail transit is excellent for the stadium, running directly to GWCC/CNN Center Station from the airport and downtown. MARTA transit runs directly to the GWCC/CNN Center station at the stadium gates. Best way to travel. Highly walkable downtown area, but use caution at night outside immediate stadium bounds.
Where to stay and what to do in Atlanta
Visit Centennial Olympic Park adjacent to the stadium, check out the Georgia Aquarium, and explore the Midtown food scene. Away from the football, Explore the World of Coca-Cola, tour the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, walk the Atlanta BeltLine, and dine in Ponce City Market. Atlanta offers reasonable value compared with the coastal host cities, especially if you stay a short transit ride from the centre.
Popular neighbourhoods to base yourself in Atlanta:
- Downtown
- Midtown
- Buckhead
- Inman Park
- Decatur
Food, drink and pre-match spots near Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Famous for low fan-friendly pricing ($2 hot dogs, $3 sodas with free refills). Great Southern BBQ options. If you would rather eat in the city first, the Downtown area is an easy pre-match base before you ride out to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Climate and matchday safety in Atlanta
At about 33.8°N, Mercedes-Benz Stadium sees warm, often humid early-summer conditions — hydration matters for day fixtures. Hot, humid Southern summer, with temperatures around 24°C to 32°C (75°F to 90°F) and occasional afternoon thunderstorms. Pack accordingly and plan your stadium arrival around the heat of the day where relevant. Stick to major pedestrian corridors downtown and use MARTA transit at night. Stick to official fan zones and signed transit routes around Mercedes-Benz Stadium on matchdays.
Related Team Schedules
Featured Host Cities
New York/New Jersey
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Serviced by three major airports: Newark Liberty (EWR) which is closest to the stadium, John F. Kennedy (JFK), and LaGuardia (LGA). All connect to transit.
Dallas
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Fly into Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) — a massive global hub — or Dallas Love Field (DAL) for domestic connections.
Los Angeles
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Serviced by Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Ontario (ONT), John Wayne (SNA), and Hollywood Burbank (BUR).
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Cap: 82,500
AT&T Stadium
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many World Cup 2026 matches are in Atlanta?
Atlanta hosts 8 matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, including 3 knockout-stage games.
Which stadium hosts the World Cup in Atlanta?
All Atlanta fixtures are played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which holds 71,000 spectators. Located in downtown Atlanta, GA, this stadium features a unique pinwheel retractable roof and high-density fan-friendly amenities.
When does Atlanta host its World Cup 2026 matches?
Atlanta's fixtures run from Mon, Jun 15 to Wed, Jul 15, with kick-offs listed in New York local time.
Sofia Reyes
Host Cities Correspondent
Sofia is a North America travel writer who has lived in Mexico City, Toronto and Los Angeles. She reports on neighbourhoods, fan zones and the practical realities of each host city for visiting supporters.
Focus areas: Host city guides · Neighbourhoods & fan zones · Local transport
Editorial standards: see our editorial policy and corrections policy.
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Looking for the full match calendar?
Get the complete 104-fixture schedule with timezone conversions.