Atlanta Prepares for Influx of World Cup Fans

Officials say city's airport, public transit ready to handle increased traffic

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Atlanta officials say the city is prepared to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and MARTA public transit system ready to accommodate the expected influx of soccer fans. The Atlanta World Cup Host Committee held a media panel discussing transportation logistics, visitor experience, and the city's history of hosting major sporting events.

Why it matters

As one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Atlanta's ability to efficiently transport and host thousands of international visitors will be crucial to the success of the event. The city's transportation infrastructure and visitor experience planning will be put to the test, but officials are confident Atlanta is up for the challenge.

The details

The media panel featured officials from MARTA, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. They discussed plans to expand Concourse D at the airport, MARTA's new 'Better Breeze' tap-to-pay system, and the city's history of hosting major events. Officials stressed Atlanta's accessibility, with 80% of the U.S. population able to reach the city in 2 hours, and its status as second in the country for international nonstop flights.

  • The FIFA World Cup 2026 will take place this summer.
  • Atlanta will host 8 World Cup matches, including a semi-final on July 15, 2026.
  • The Atlanta World Cup Host Committee will submit its final transport and mobility plan at the end of February 2026.

The players

Rhonda Allen

Deputy General Manager of MARTA.

Georgia O'Donoghue

Vice President of Operations at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and COO of the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee.

William Pate

President and CEO of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Ricky Smith

General Manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Chris Raimondi

Of AMB Sports Entertainment, who moderated the discussion.

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What they’re saying

“Atlanta has a storied history of hosting these major sporting events and doing it well. Our public-private partnership, as well as our connectivity … has really set us up for success this summer, and we are ready to welcome the world.”

— Georgia O'Donoghue, Vice President of Operations at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and COO of the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee (roughdraftatlanta.com)

“Eighty percent of the U.S. population can get to Atlanta in two hours, so we're very accessible. We're also number two in the country in international [nonstop flights].”

— William Pate, President and CEO of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (roughdraftatlanta.com)

“We see the airport as kind of the living room for the city.”

— Ricky Smith, General Manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (roughdraftatlanta.com)

“You take that train in the airport, and it takes you 20 minutes to be right in the middle of our convention district.”

— William Pate, President and CEO of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (roughdraftatlanta.com)

“Whether you're coming in from the airport and going to Doraville to a watch party or you're going to Decatur or West End, we invite you to try MARTA, and we look forward to having you with us.”

— Rhonda Allen, Deputy General Manager of MARTA (roughdraftatlanta.com)

What’s next

The Atlanta World Cup Host Committee will submit its final transport and mobility plan at the end of February 2026.

The takeaway

Atlanta's extensive transportation infrastructure, including its international airport and robust public transit system, combined with the city's experience hosting major events, position it well to accommodate the influx of World Cup fans and provide them with a seamless and enjoyable experience.