The World Came to Atlanta. On July 19, Atlanta Throws the Closing Party
A free, all-day festival in Piedmont Park, with live music, global food, family activities and a public screening of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final
ATLANTA—When FIFA World Cup 2026 Final kicks off on Sunday, July 19, no Atlantan will have to watch it alone. Showcase Atlanta announced A Celebration of Soccer & Sound, a free, all-day festival closing out the city's historic summer as a World Cup Host City with live music, global food, family activities and a public watch party of the Final on the big screen.
“As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the1996 Centennial Olympic Games introducing the world to Atlanta, FIFA World Cup 2026 will remind the world that we are the city that influences it every day. Culture, community, hospitality, music, art, film, food fashion and just our distinct and genre-defining Atlanta flavor. As we close out what will be a historic summer, we want every Atlantan —from Bankhead to Buckhead, from Grant Park to Grove Park— to unite and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime moment together,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.
The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and bring together families, neighbors and visitors for an afternoon of live music, food and shared celebration as the tournament reaches its finish. The festival is produced by ONE Musicfest, presented by Delta Air Lines and delivered by UPS.
“Atlanta has known how to turn a sporting moment into a cultural one since 1996," said Lamar Stewart, Interim Executive Director of Showcase Atlanta. "We brought the world here this summer. On July 19, we're inviting every single Atlantan to close it out together in Piedmont Park. That's the whole point of Showcase Atlanta. The world's biggest moments should happen with this city, not to it.”
“UPS is proud to partner with Showcase Atlanta to deliver this experience as we close out the FIFA World Cup for our city,” said Carol Tomé, CEO of UPS and chair of Showcase Atlanta. “It’s a powerful way to celebrate a historic moment with everyone who calls Atlanta home.”
Admission is free with RSVP. The festival is part of Showcase Atlanta's commitment to ensuring no resident is locked out of the city's biggest cultural moments. The festival will feature live performances from local and international artists, DJs, interactive fan experiences, food vendors representing Atlanta’s diverse communities, a local marketplace and a family-friendly Kids Zone. Additional talent announcements will be released soon.
“This summer the world will see what we at Delta have known for a long time – the Atlanta community sits at the center of culture, sports, music and entertainment,” said Ed Bastain, CEO of Delta Air Lines. “We’re proud to be Atlanta’s hometown airline, and we look forward to welcoming the world to our great city.”
At 3 p.m., the music pauses and Piedmont Park becomes one of the largest public viewing parties in the country, with attendees gathered around the big screen for a live broadcast of the FIFA World Cup Final. This event is rain or shine. A Celebration of Soccer & Sound is being produced in close coordination with the City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Police Department.
Advance registration is encouraged at showcaseatlanta.com/celebration.
Food vendors, local businesses, artists and community organizations are invited to apply now to participate in the festival through dedicated vendor applications available at showcaseatlanta.com/celebration.
Event Details
What: A Celebration of Soccer & Sound, a free, all-day festival featuring live music, a Kids Zone, interactive fan experiences, food and merchandise vendors and a live screening of the FIFA World Cup Final
When: Sunday, July 19, 2026; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Piedmont Park, Atlanta
Cost: Free and open to the public, with RSVP
Getting there: Attendees are encouraged to take MARTA or use rideshare
What to Expect
Live music throughout the day: Performances from local and international artists and DJs.
Global food village: A lineup of food vendors reflecting Atlanta’s diverse communities.
Interactive fan experiences: Soccer-inspired games and activities for fans of all ages.
Local marketplace: Local small businesses, merchandise, and arts & craft vendors.
World Cup Final Watch Party: Live screening of the FIFA World Cup Final beginning at 3 p.m.
"Atlanta raised me, and Atlanta raised ONE Musicfest," said Jason "J" Carter, founder of ONE Musicfest. "Anchoring the FIFA World Cup 2026’s closing day in Piedmont Park, with the whole city invited and nobody priced out, is one of the proudest moments for me and my team. This is what it looks like when a global event is truly built with the community… and not around it.”
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About Showcase Atlanta
Showcase Atlanta is a nonprofit, created by Mayor Andre Dickens, built on a simple and powerful conviction that major global events should happen with Atlanta and not to Atlanta. Through intentional activations, such as neighborhood kickoffs, international delegation receptions and small business readiness tools, Showcase Atlanta creates pathways for residents, entrepreneurs and community organizations to participate in, and be celebrated on, the world stage. Showcase Atlanta is made possible through the commitment of partners, including the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority; Presenting Sponsor, Delta Air Lines; Delivered by UPS; Silver Sponsor, Arrive; and Bronze Sponsor, Flock Safety. For more information, visit ShowcaseAtlanta.com.
