Atlanta has hosted the Olympics, the Super Bowl, and countless championship games, so we’re no strangers to the big stage. But with FIFA World Cup 26™ bringing eight matches, fan fests, watch parties, and roughly 330,000 visitors to the region this summer, even seasoned residents will want to brush up on their commuting strategy.

Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United Fans who watch sports at the Mercedes Benz Stadium will note its temporary renaming to the Atlanta Stadium.

To help employers prepare, the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Georgia Commute Options (GCO) program recently hosted a webinar titled “Is This the Olympics Again: Making a Game Plan for Commuting During World Cup.”  The session featured insights from William Pate, President & CEO, Atlanta Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (ACVB); Lenor Bromberg, Deputy Commissioner, Atlanta Department of Transportation; and Johann Weber, Program/Project Administrator, GCO.

What to Expect

William Pate led off the discussion by stating that Atlanta is ready to host the expected rush of international guests, drawing upon its experience in welcoming more than one million international visitors to the city every year. And while there are many comparisons to the 1996 Olympics, FIFA World Cup 26™ is very different in that there will be off days in between matches giving visitors and locals opportunities to explore the city’s new developments, fan experiences, as well as the many attractions the region and state have to offer.

The ACVB is encouraging residents to come downtown to enjoy the festivities, stating there will be plenty of available parking. The FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park will be at the heart of the action featuring food, music, and cultural activities. While access is free, guests must sign up for a ticket. “This is a prime chance to experience the World Cup if you don’t have a ticket to a match,” said Pate.

Transportation and Mobility

Lenor Bromberg discussed the City of Atlanta’s mobility plans, which include transit information specifically prepared for FIFA guests. The city is working closely with partners at Atlanta Stadium, Georgia World Congress Center, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, local police and emergency preparedness departments, MARTA, Georgia Department of Transportation, micromobility partners, and other stakeholders.

The Deputy Transportation Commissioner said that the first question she typically receives these days is, “What’s going to be closed,” to which she responds, “very little.”

However, there will be some restricted areas around the perimeter of the stadium. Bromberg presented detailed maps showing areas of interest around the stadium and Centennial Olympic Park. They share the impacts to the road network, number of lane closures, alternate routes, pedestrian details, parking and rideshare zones.

Bromberg also highlighted other improvements and enhancements underway including wayfinding signage, street resurfacing, sidewalk and ADA ramp repair, mural crosswalks, and innovative and decorative lighting.

Traffic Insights

ARC’s Johann Weber then shared data, insights, and suggestions to help viewers conceptualize what commuting might look like. He gave crowd comparisons to other large-scale events like Copa America Opening Match, Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter Tour, and DragonCon.

He shared detailed maps using traffic signal colors that predict traffic speeds and provide traffic visualization covering fan arrival times, match times, and post-match traffic. He stated that as one might expect, when fans are inside a match, there will be less congestion.

Weber highlighted the corridors most likely to be congested including Northside Drive, Centennial Olympic Park, Mitchell St., Ted Turner Dr., Trinity, Marietta and Luckie Streets, Castleberry Hills and Ivan Allen. He recommends that commuters take time now to check out the webinar and consult apps and tips that can be found on Georgia Commute Options’ Game Plan website.

The panelists wrapped up the webinar by offering a few strategies for individuals to navigate commutes including:

1. Plan your commute (flex your schedule, adjust your shift, etc.)
2. Expect surprises (like motorcades for VIPs)
3. Leave the car at home or at a park & ride (MARTA trains will run every 5 minutes).

They also coached employers to implement a few simple strategies for workplaces including:

1. Make a game plan for your workforce
2. Don’t leave your employees unaware
3. Help employees have options

The parting messages from the experts were for everyone to remain flexible as plans are still in development and that with the right information and some thoughtful adjustments, employers and their teams can be productive and enjoy FIFA World Cup 26™. For more helpful information and resources for both employers and commuters:

• Explore the Commuter Guide to the World Cup and other resources (includes traffic videos, match traffic schedules, etc.)
• Watch the webinar: Is This the Olympics Again: Making a Game Plan for Commuting During World Cup?
• Consult the calendar of confirmed events (viewing parties, matches, and more) at Discover Atlanta.

Contact Name: Sheryl Merritt
Contact Phone: 470-757-3799
Contact Email: [email protected]