FIFA World Cup 26™ · Atlanta · A Showcase Atlanta Activation

17 MILES
UNITED

One ball. Seventeen miles of the Atlanta Beltline. Every neighborhood gets a chapter.

Saturday, June 13, 2026  ·  Mercedes-Benz Stadium → Ponce City Market

#17MilesUnited

17Miles
4Hub festivals
~9Hours
1Ball, carried by the city

The ball is the flame.

Think of it as Atlanta's version of the Olympic torch run. The ball is the flame. The Beltline is the route. The city is the story.

A single Showcase soccer ball travels every mile, from Mercedes-Benz Stadium to Ponce City Market, carried by community members, athletes, artists, and everyday Atlantans. Every handoff is ceremonial. Every neighborhood gets its moment. And at four big stops along the way, the ball rolls into a full-blown community festival already in motion. At day's end, the ball is retired and kept forever as a piece of Atlanta 2026 history.

This isn't a race to watch from the sidelines. It's a citywide procession you join.

Where you can jump in

Four hub festivals along the route are open to everyone, no ticket needed. Come to the one nearest you, own your neighborhood's moment, and be there when the ball arrives. Music, free coffee & Red Bull, photo moments, merch drops, and random giveaways (no purchase necessary) at every hub.

HUB 1 9:00 AM · Mile 4

Cultural Heart

Lee + White · West End

The first full hub. A community workout is already rolling, Costa Coffee and Red Bull are pouring, and the DJ is up. Then the ball arrives: step team, drumline, photo moment, merch drop, random giveaways, and the ceremonial handoff.

📍 1070 White Street SW, Atlanta 30310
HUB 2 11:15 AM · Mile 8

Soul of ATL

Pittsburgh Yards

The ball rolls straight into the Beltline Indy Market, already in full swing. HBCU step teams, live music, and a community energy that turns a great day into a historic one. Photo, merch, giveaways, handoff.

📍 352 University Avenue SW, Atlanta 30310
HUB 3 1:30 PM · Mile 14

Creative Gate

Ladybird · Inman Park

Live music is the anchor here. After passing The Beacon and Muchacho on the Eastside Trail, the ball arrives into the creative heart of the city. Photo, merch, giveaways, then the handoff toward the finale.

📍 Ladybird · Inman Park, Atlanta
HUB 4 · FINALE 4:00 PM · Mile 17

The Arrival

The Shed at Ponce City Market

The earned arrival. We join the Bloom Market festival already in motion, with the Union Fit Hub Recovery Village on site. The ceremonial final pass, a public T-shirt drop, and the closing image of the day. This is the shot that lands.

📍 675 Ponce De Leon Avenue NE, Atlanta 30308

After the finale, the celebration continues with a closing community toast at Illuminarium Atlanta, the official close of 17 Miles United.

The journey, mile by mile

The ball begins its day at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and travels the full Beltline to Ponce City Market. Here's where it'll be, and when.

  1. The Launch · Mile 0 Mercedes-Benz Stadium The ball goes live and heads onto the Beltline. Launch details coming soon.
  2. 8:00 AM · Mile 2 Washington Park Library First community pass on the Westside Trail, drumline moment.
  3. 9:00 AM · Mile 4 ★ HUB 1 · Lee + White · West End Community workout, Costa Coffee & Red Bull, DJ, photo, merch, random giveaways.
  4. 10:15 AM · Mile 6 Trees Atlanta · Adair Park Skaters join the procession here.
  5. 11:15 AM · Mile 8 ★ HUB 2 · Pittsburgh Yards Beltline Indy Market, HBCU step, live music.
  6. 12:00 PM · Mile 10 The Beacon Red Bull refueling station moment.
  7. 12:45 PM · Mile 12 Muchacho Pass point on the Eastside Trail.
  8. 1:30 PM · Mile 14 ★ HUB 3 · Ladybird · Inman Park Live music anchors the creative gate.
  9. 4:00 PM · Mile 17 ★ HUB 4 · Ponce City Market · The Shed The finale. Bloom Market festival, Recovery Village, final pass, public T-shirt drop.
  10. After PCM Closing Toast · Illuminarium Atlanta Participant celebration and official close.

Atlanta sees itself in the procession

The power is in the mix. Not just athletes. Not just influencers. The whole city: every age, every community, every way of moving.

Youth soccer clubs HBCU step & dance crews Drumlines Muralists & artists Skaters Bike collectives Adaptive athletes & wheelchair users ATL musicians Chefs & restaurateurs Senior walking clubs Neighborhood associations Faith communities

The ball belongs to the city

Merch is earned, not just handed out. Every giveaway is tied to a hub arrival. You had to be there.

Mini soccer balls

Branded mini balls handed out at each hub the moment the ball physically arrives. Show up to get one.

Commemorative tee

A limited run. The only public drop is at the Ponce City Market finale. Be there for the shirt.

Random giveaways

Surprise drops at every hub when the ball arrives, no purchase necessary. One more reason to show up early.

Atlanta doesn't just host the World Cup.
Atlanta carries it home.

Pick your hub. Bring your people. Be in the frame when the ball arrives.

Find your hub

#17MilesUnited

Showcase Atlanta · In partnership with runningnerds and The Union Fit Hub