- City: Atlanta
- State: Georgia
- Country: United States of America
- Time difference between the UK: Minus 5 hours
- Avg June Temperature: 30ºC
Atlanta, Georgia
Welcome to Atlanta
Welcome to Atlanta, welcome to the state of Georgia, and to one of the most important cities in the American South.
Atlanta is a city built on movement — railroads, highways, migration, music, and more recently, global business and sport. It has grown from its 19th-century railway origins into a major US hub for transport, media and commerce, home to companies like Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines and CNN.
The city itself has a population of around half a million, but the wider metropolitan area stretches beyond six million people. It is a proper sprawling American city — not always instantly readable, but full of distinct neighbourhoods once you get your bearings.
Atlanta also carries enormous historical weight. It played a central role in the Civil Rights Movement and is the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr., whose legacy remains visible throughout the city today in museums, memorials and preserved landmarks.
Sport is a huge part of life here. The city hosted the 1996 Olympic Games and is home to the Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Atlanta Braves (MLB) and Atlanta United FC. The latter is particularly relevant for travelling supporters — Atlanta United regularly draw crowds of 40,000–70,000 and have helped create one of the strongest football atmospheres in the United States.
And then there is the food and music scene, which is as southern as it gets: barbecue smoke in the air, hip-hop coming out of cars, and restaurants where portion sizes feel like they were designed for athletes rather than humans.
One thing to know early on: Atlanta is not just hot in summer, it is properly hot and humid. The sort of heat where standing still outside still feels like effort.
Supporter Tips
- Atlanta is a city where small decisions make a big difference — especially in June heat and matchday traffic.
- The weather is hot and humid, and the combination can drain energy quickly. Air conditioning indoors is extremely strong, so you may find yourself going from overheating outside to reaching for a layer indoors within minutes.
- The legal drinking age is 21. Carry ID when going out. Tipping is expected across bars, restaurants and taxis — around 15–20% is standard. Most venues are cashless.
- MARTA rail is usually your best friend on matchdays. Traffic in Atlanta is famously unpredictable, and journeys that look short on a map can become long, slow experiences very quickly.
- Emergency number: 911.
© Alamy
Getting There
Atlanta is one of the most accessible cities in the United States, largely thanks to its position as a major international aviation hub.
The main operator here is MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority), which is the backbone of public transport during the tournament.
Most supporters will arrive via Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world.
Flights operate directly from London and other major European hubs, with thousands of onward connections across the US.
From the airport, you are around 10 miles from downtown. Uber and Lyft are widely available, typically costing $35–60 depending on demand, though this can rise sharply after matches or during peak times.
The better option for most supporters is MARTA rail, which connects directly from the airport into downtown in around 20 minutes. It is inexpensive, reliable and avoids Atlanta traffic entirely.
Single fare: $2.50
Day passes available
Getting Around
Atlanta is a city where transport planning really matters. Distances can be deceptive, and traffic can change the mood of a journey very quickly.
MARTA rail is the most useful option for visitors. It connects the airport, downtown, midtown and major stadium-adjacent stations, and will be heavily used during the World Cup.
Key stops for supporters include Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead and the stadium stations near Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Uber and Lyft are widely available and useful, particularly late at night or when moving outside MARTA coverage. However, matchdays can create significant delays and surge pricing.
E-scooters are common around downtown and Midtown and are useful for short hops, though probably best avoided in peak heat unless you enjoy questionable life choices.
Walking is realistic in areas like Downtown and Midtown, but humidity should not be underestimated. A short walk can feel much longer than expected in 30°C heat.
Alamy
The stadium
Matches in Atlanta will take place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, referred to during the tournament as Atlanta Stadium.
This is one of the most modern and impressive stadiums in world football, home to both Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC. It has a capacity of around 75,000 for the World Cup and is widely regarded as one of the best large venues in the United States.
The stadium’s retractable roof is a major advantage in Georgia heat, and the enormous circular “halo” video screen inside gives it a distinctive feel compared to other US venues.
Atlanta United regularly generate outstanding atmospheres here, and that experience should translate well to World Cup matches.
The stadium sits just west of downtown and is very accessible via MARTA, with GWCC/CNN Center and Vine City stations both within walking distance.
Inside, the concourses are modern and spacious, with food and drink prices generally considered more reasonable than many other US stadiums — which is relative, but still notable.
Eating and drinking
Atlanta’s food scene is one of the strongest in the southern United States, and it leans heavily into barbecue culture, southern cooking and increasingly diverse international influences.
Midtown is one of the best areas for travelling supporters, with rooftop bars, busy sports pubs and a strong nightlife scene. It tends to attract a good mix of locals and visiting fans during major sporting events.
The Atlanta BeltLine is another standout area — a redeveloped railway corridor now filled with bars, breweries, street food, public art and outdoor seating. On a warm evening, it becomes one of the most social parts of the city.
For something a bit more relaxed, Decatur offers a more local feel with independent bars, live music and a strong food scene, while still being easily accessible via MARTA.
East Atlanta Village and Little Five Points are more alternative, with dive bars, live music and independent venues — a different side of the city, but popular with those looking for something less corporate.
Food-wise, you are firmly in barbecue country. Expect smoked brisket, pulled pork, fried chicken, wings and mac and cheese in almost every direction. Lemon pepper wings are a local obsession and worth trying at least once.
Near the stadium, the Centennial Olympic Park area and downtown district will be central to matchday activity, with South Downtown expected to host fan gatherings and activations during the tournament.
Things to see and do
Atlanta has a strong mix of history, sport and modern attractions, and many of the key sites are closely tied to its identity.
The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park is one of the most important landmarks in the city, covering Dr King’s birthplace, church and memorial sites connected to the Civil Rights Movement.
Centennial Olympic Park remains a central downtown landmark from the 1996 Olympics and is expected to become a key fan gathering point during the tournament.
The Georgia Aquarium is one of the largest in the world and surprisingly impressive even for those not typically interested in marine life, while the World of Coca-Cola offers a more unusual but very Atlanta-specific experience.
For skyline views, SkyView Atlanta offers a large observation wheel downtown, while rooftop bars across Midtown and Buckhead provide a more relaxed alternative.
Sporting visitors may also want to look at Truist Park (Atlanta Braves) or State Farm Arena (Atlanta Hawks), both of which sit within the wider sporting identity of the city.
If you want to escape the urban environment entirely, Piedmont Park offers green space in Midtown, while Stone Mountain Park just outside the city provides hiking and views across the region.
FIFA Fan Festival
Atlanta’s FIFA Fan Festival is expected to be based around Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta.
This will likely become one of the main supporter hubs in the city, with big screens, live entertainment, food vendors and sponsor activations running throughout the tournament.
Given its central location, it will also naturally connect to bars, restaurants and nightlife in the surrounding downtown and Midtown districts.
British consular
assistance
- The British Consulate-General in Atlanta is located downtown and will provide support to British nationals during the tournament, alongside additional FCDO staff deployed for the event.
- Standard advice applies throughout: keep passports secure, use hotel safes where available, and stay aware in busy nightlife and matchday areas.
- Official travel advice can be found via the UK Government travel pages for the United States.
Accommodation
Accommodation in Atlanta will vary significantly depending on location and matchday demand, particularly around knockout fixtures.
Downtown will be the most convenient area, placing supporters close to the stadium and fan zones. It will also likely be one of the busiest and most expensive options during peak periods.
Midtown is often the most balanced option, offering strong nightlife, restaurants and MARTA access while being slightly less intense than downtown.
Buckhead offers a more upscale hotel experience with rooftop bars and modern accommodation, though it is slightly further out.
For those looking to save money, staying further out along MARTA lines can work well, provided you are comfortable using public transport on matchdays.
In Atlanta, location is not just about distance — it is about how easily you can move when the entire city is trying to get to the same place at the same time.
