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As the final whistle blew on Argentina’s stunning comeback victory over England in the FIFA World Cup semifinal match last Wednesday, it also marked the end of Atlanta’s hosting duties and the conclusion of a remarkable summer in the city that by almost any metric has to be viewed as a dazzling success.

The Atlanta World Cup Host Committee (AWCHC) was formed in 2022 to prepare for the games, bringing together stakeholders from across both political aisles and across the sprawling Atlanta metro.  Overseen by the Atlanta Sports Council (itself a branch of the Metro Atlanta Chamber) it included representation from the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, AMB Sports and Entertainment, the City of Atlanta and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority.

It was tasked not only with preparing for eight international matches, but also the hundreds of thousands of visitors pouring into the city and both the strain and economic opportunities that they offered.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens celebrated the team effort.  “This is the Group Project in action—showcasing Atlanta to the world, providing our renowned hospitality and delivering unforgettable experiences not only for visitors from around the globe, but for Atlanta and Georgia residents who became tourists in their own city. Years of planning, preparation and partnerships paid off in a big way to deliver a safe, enjoyable experience for the hundreds of thousands of match and Fan Fest attendees, small businesses and residents—resulting in an impact that will resonate for decades.”

Mercedes-Benz Stadium (temporarily renamed ‘Atlanta Stadium’ due to FIFA licensing) received rave reviews as one of the top venues in the country.  “It’s downtown. It’s indoors. It’s gigantic,” The Athletic wrote about the stadium, ranking it first among all 16 hosts. It’s “the type of thing you’d sketch as a child if your art teacher said: ‘No rules. Draw an imaginary stadium.’” 

Not lost on visiting fans were its low concession prices, mandated by Arthur Blank and surely much to FIFA’s chagrin.  Georgians by now may take $2 hot dogs and sodas for granted, but for British, Spanish, and Cape Verde (among many others) fans traveling between stadiums they were a revelation, sparking international headlines as a genuinely unique, fan-friendly experience.

The AWCHC made a point to thank both Dickens and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp for their close working relationship, not always a given between Republican governors and Democratic mayors in the state’s capital city.  But the pair have boasted a strong working and personal relationship that perhaps came to a climax this summer.

“After years of preparation and incredible partnership between the state and local level, we couldn’t be prouder of Georgia’s showing during the FIFA World Cup 2026,” said Kemp. “That’s especially true for our law enforcement teams, first responders, and public safety professionals who worked tirelessly to ensure both visitors and Georgians could enjoy the matches safely. From FIFA Fan Fest to the ‘Georgia the Whole Day Through’ experience, it was an honor to welcome the entire world to the No. 1 state for business and our capital city.” 

Some more numbers from the AWCHC that highlight the World Cup’s success:

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium welcomed 544,516 fans across Atlanta’s eight matches. 
• FIFA Fan Festival Atlanta welcomed more than 500,000 visitors averaging more than 27,000 guests each day and ranking among the most-attended FIFA Fan Festivals in the United States. 
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosted an estimate of 2,000 media from 82 countries. 
• FIFA Fan Festival welcomed more than 2,200 media representatives from 89 countries across six continents.
• MARTA has transported more than 2.5 million riders during the tournament period – close to a 200 percent increase from regular ridership.  That’s 1.7 million extra trips over the course of the event.  
• Atlanta’s FIFA Volunteer Program included more than 2,000 volunteers who completed more than 10,000 shifts and contributed over 55,000 hours of service throughout the tournament.
• More than 200 Savannah College of Art & Design students and alumni from many of the university’s top-ranked degree programs contributed to AWCHC initiatives through physical and interactive art, panoramic campaign implementation, and seamlessly integrated technology.
• The AWCHC’s partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Georgia positively impacted more than 4,500 youth statewide through soccer-based programming. 
• More than 150 community events and watch parties were hosted by local organizations throughout the region, bringing fans together to celebrate the FIFA World Cup.
• The AWCHC social media channels generated more than 140 million impressions between June 1 and July 15, reflecting global reach and engagement surrounding Atlanta’s FIFA World Cup host city activities.