Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosts a 2026 World Cup semi-final on 15 July — one of two semis, the other at Dallas. Eight matches in total in Atlanta: five group-stage, two knockouts, and the semi. The building is one of the few US WC hosts with a deep recent soccer track record. Atlanta United's MLS support has averaged 40,000-plus a game since the club's 2017 debut, and Atlanta repeatedly broke MLS single-game attendance records across their first three seasons.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
73,019 capacity
View stadium →The 2026 fixtures
| Date | Kickoff (EDT) | Match | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 15 Jun | 12:00 | Spain vs Cape Verde Islands | Group Stage – 1 |
| Thu 18 Jun | 12:00 | Czech Republic vs South Africa | Group Stage – 2 |
| Sun 21 Jun | 12:00 | Spain vs Saudi Arabia | Group Stage – 2 |
| Wed 24 Jun | 18:00 | Morocco vs Haiti | Group Stage – 3 |
| Sat 27 Jun | 19:30 | Congo DR vs Uzbekistan | Group Stage – 3 |
| Round of 32 | TBD | – | – |
| Quarter-final | TBD | – | – |
| Wed 15 Jul | TBD | SEMI-FINAL | – |
Five group fixtures drawn — Spain plays both of its first two group matches in Atlanta before travelling on. The Round of 32 tie, quarter-final, and semi-final resolve from the bracket.
Spain
Cape Verde Islands
Czech Republic
South AfricaSpain
Saudi Arabia
Morocco
HaitiWhat Atlanta knows about soccer
Atlanta United joined MLS for the 2017 season and broke league attendance records repeatedly across their first three seasons. The regular-season peak was 72,243 against Seattle Sounders on 15 July 2018. The MLS Cup final at home in December 2018 drew 73,019. Atlanta won the title that night. The fanbase, the south end's La Banda supporters' section, has produced sustained atmosphere at Mercedes-Benz in a way few US stadiums match. For a WC venue chosen on infrastructure, Atlanta is the one with the most real soccer culture behind it.
The building
HOK designed Mercedes-Benz Stadium, opened on 26 August 2017 at a cost of $1.6 billion. The signature feature is the roof — a "pinwheel" of eight triangular ETFE petals that open and close like a camera aperture. Designed to fully retract in 8–12 minutes; the actual mechanism has been temperamental in its first decade and often stays in one position for whole event days.
The bowl is football-and-soccer flexible. Listed NFL capacity is 71,000, expandable to roughly 75,000 with the upper deck fully open for marquee events. WC configuration lands around 71,000. For the 2026 tournament the venue switches to a natural-grass hybrid surface (Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass stitched with synthetic fibre, grown in Colorado) overlaid on the bowl for the duration.
Big matches here
Super Bowl LIII on 3 February 2019 (Patriots 13, Rams 3, the lowest-scoring Super Bowl in history). The College Football Championship in January 2018 (Alabama 26, Georgia 23, overtime). The MLS Cup in December 2018 (Atlanta 2, Portland 0). The 2024 Copa América hosted three group matches at Mercedes-Benz; the third-place playoff was at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
Quick facts
| Capacity | 71,000 (≈75,000 expanded for marquee events) |
| Opened | 26 August 2017 |
| Architect | HOK |
| Cost at build | $1.6 billion |
| Roof | Retractable, 8-petal "pinwheel" |
| WC surface | Kentucky bluegrass / ryegrass hybrid (grown in Colorado) |
| Tenants | Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Atlanta United (MLS) |
| Address | 1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA |
Getting there
MARTA, Atlanta's rail system, runs to GWCC/CNN Center station, a 5-minute walk from the stadium. From Hartsfield-Jackson (the busiest airport in the world), 20 minutes on the Red or Gold line. From Downtown hotels, two or three stops at most.
Driving works but parking is constrained — Atlanta's stadium district has fewer surface lots than newer US WC venues. Pre-book a Lot or Deck through ParkMobile or the stadium's app. The Connector (I-75/85) backs up before and after games; allow 90 minutes.
Uber and Lyft work. From Downtown $10–$20, from Buckhead $25–$40. Designated drop-off zones outside the stadium.
Food and drink
Mercedes-Benz is famous for "Fan First" pricing. Hot dogs at $2, refillable sodas at $2, sandwich combos for under $10. This is the single best concessions deal in major American sport. Inside menus also feature Atlanta brands — Fox Bros. BBQ, Antico Pizza, Chick-fil-A (closed Sundays).
Mercedes-Benz Stadium concessions
Inside the venueOn-site
$2 hot dogs, $2 refillable sodas, $5 sandwich combos. The best concession-stand value in major American sport.
Open in Maps →Stats Brewpub
Pre-match brewpub5 min walk
Castleberry Hill brewpub, walking distance from the stadium. Atlanta-brewed beer, sports-bar feel.
Open in Maps →Castleberry Hill
Pre-match neighbourhood5–10 min walk
Loft-and-galleries district adjacent to the stadium. Restaurants, art bars, the more interesting pre-match walk.
Open in Maps →The Varsity
Atlanta institution15 min walk / 5 min drive
The famous drive-in. Chili dogs, frosted oranges, since 1928. A required Atlanta pre-match stop.
Open in Maps →Seats
Lower level behind the south goal for the La Banda tradition, often replicated for big events. Mezzanine at the corners is the price/sightline sweet spot. The Halo Board (the circular video display below the roof) is visible from every seat in the building.
Tickets
Semi-final tickets through FIFA's lottery; resale heavily restricted. Group-stage and earlier knockouts open in waves through spring 2026. Atlanta United regular-season MLS tickets are available through the club for non-WC trips.
Pair it with
State Farm Arena (Hawks, NBA) is half a mile away in Downtown. Truist Park (Braves, MLB) is 12 miles north in Cumberland. Atlanta United also play home matches at Mercedes-Benz, so a non-WC MLS visit can pair with a Hawks game.
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