Events Happen With Atlanta,
Not To It.
Major global events have a long history of arriving in cities, generating enormous wealth, and leaving communities behind. Showcase Atlanta — an initiative of Mayor Andre Dickens — was created to change that formula.
Atlanta is hosting the world — but the real question is whether Atlanta shows up for itself.
Showcase Atlanta exists to make the answer yes: through community programming, small business preparation, and keeping the cultural identity of the city visible on the global stage.
You don't need a ticket to be part of this moment.
Watch parties, neighborhood festivals, cultural activations, and free programming mean the energy of FIFA reaches every corner of the city — not just the stadium.
Prepared businesses win. And Atlanta is getting its businesses ready.
World Cup visitors plan months ahead, stay 4–7 nights, and actively seek out authentic local experiences. The businesses that are visible, staffed, and ready will capture that spend.
This is Atlanta's largest global spotlight since the 1996 Olympics — and this time, inclusion is by design.
Like 1996, this is an inflection point. Unlike 1996, the city is deliberately building economic opportunity to flow into communities that have historically been left out.
Culture Is The Story.
Atlanta isn't just a venue. It's a living, breathing cultural force. Any coverage of FIFA 2026 that ignores what makes this city extraordinary is missing the story.
Black Atlanta
The cradle of civil rights history, birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the engine of Black cultural and economic power in America. Home to the AUC — the largest consortium of historically Black colleges in the world.
The Sound of Now
Atlanta defined hip-hop for a generation. From Outkast to Lil Baby, from the Dungeon Family to trap — the music that moves the world is made here. The FIFA fanbase is global, young, and deeply connected to Atlanta's sonic identity.
A Food City
Lemon pepper wings. Peach cobbler. Michelin-starred chefs and legendary soul food joints. Atlanta's food scene reflects its diversity — Latino, West African, Caribbean, Korean, and the deepest roots of the American South all on the same block.
A Green City
The Atlanta BeltLine — a 22-mile loop of trails, parks, and public art — runs through 45 neighborhoods. During FIFA, it becomes one of the most remarkable free experiences in any host city anywhere in the world.
The Stories
Worth Telling.
Atlanta is one of the most compelling and under-covered cities in America. Here are the angles that go beyond the stadium — stories a global audience will find unforgettable.
The City That Built Itself
Atlanta was burned to the ground in 1864 and rebuilt. Its motto is "Resurgens" — rising again. The phoenix is its symbol. FIFA isn't a departure from Atlanta's story; it's another chapter in it.
Civil Rights · History · ResilienceBuford Highway: A 10-Mile World Tour
One of the most ethnically diverse corridors in America — Vietnamese, Korean, Ethiopian, Mexican, Bangladeshi. For global football fans arriving from every continent, it's the fastest way to feel at home.
Immigrant Culture · Food · IdentitySoccer Found Its American Home Here
Atlanta United reached 1 million fans faster than any MLS club in history. This city is not learning to love the game; it already does.
MLS · Fan Culture · Sports IdentityThe Small Businesses That ARE the City
The soul of Atlanta lives in its small businesses. Showcase Atlanta is making sure they're ready and visible. That's the story of how a city keeps its identity during a global event.
Economy · Community · EquityA Diaspora City Hosting the World
Atlanta's diaspora communities — Haitian, Nigerian, Ghanaian, Moroccan and more — have deep connections to many competing countries. Watch parties here won't feel like American sports bars. They'll feel like home games.
Diaspora · Global Connections · CommunityWhat a City Owes Its Own People
Showcase Atlanta is making an explicit promise: economic energy will reach the communities that built this city's culture. That's the bigger question every host city faces, and Atlanta is answering it on the record.
Equity · Legacy · Economic JusticeTalk to Our Press Team.
We welcome media coverage of Showcase Atlanta, FIFA World Cup 2026™, and the communities and businesses of Atlanta. Our team can connect you with community members, small business owners, and neighborhood leaders.