Buckhead: Get Ready for the World

Atlanta is no longer just a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It is actively positioning itself as a base of operations for national teams, global media, sponsors, and international visitors, a shift that matters directly to Buckhead employers, property owners, and businesses.

Multiple national teams, including Spain, England, Japan, South Korea, and Uzbekistan, have already conducted exploratory visits to metro Atlanta to evaluate training base camps. This signals that World Cup activity will extend well beyond match days and well beyond downtown, with practical and economic implications for Buckhead.

Leadership from the Atlanta Sports Council has emphasized that Atlanta’s appeal is driven by several reinforcing advantages:

unmatched global air connectivity through Hartsfield-Jackson
a strong inventory of high quality training facilities
deep corporate and diplomatic ties
a proven track record hosting major international events

Teams have evaluated facilities ranging from the Atlanta United training complex in Marietta to university campuses across the region. Even teams without group stage matches in Atlanta are considering the area because of flight access, time zone advantages, and cultural connections. South Korea’s interest is reinforced by daily direct flights to Seoul and a large Korean community. Spain’s engagement is supported by strong trade ties with Georgia and an active diplomatic presence. Japan and Uzbekistan have also visited, underscoring Atlanta’s emergence as a global soccer hub. The likely result is weeks of sustained activity involving teams, staff, sponsors, media, and supporters who will need places to stay, meet, eat, and work.

At the center of the tournament experience is Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which has spent years preparing for an event of this scale. The venue has already hosted Copa América opening matches, European club friendlies, Mexican National Team matches drawing more than 60,000 fans, record setting international women’s matches, and FIFA Club World Cup games featuring elite global clubs. Stadium leadership has used these events as operational testing grounds, refining natural grass field management and ensuring full compliance with FIFA branding requirements.

Atlanta will host eight World Cup matches, including a semifinal, placing the city under sustained international attention for more than a month. State and regional officials estimate more than 300,000 visitors during the tournament, with roughly $500 million in statewide economic impact. Many business leaders point to the 1996 Olympics as the last moment when Atlanta’s global reputation fundamentally shifted. The World Cup is increasingly viewed as this generation’s equivalent, with broader reach and longer lasting visibility.

That opportunity is not limited to downtown. At a recent World Affairs Council of Atlanta event, leaders from the Metro Atlanta Chamber, cultural institutions, and major employers emphasized that private businesses will play a central role in hosting, programming, and welcoming visitors. Bank of America has publicly stated its intent to help local businesses benefit from the World Cup well beyond 2026, reinforcing the expectation that corporate engagement will drive long term value.

For Buckhead employers and businesses, this is a planning and positioning moment. Early preparation should include:

anticipating increased international visitors staying, working, or meeting in Buckhead
identifying opportunities for watch parties, hospitality activations, or cultural programming
planning employee transportation and commute strategies during peak match weeks
aligning marketing and messaging with Atlanta’s global spotlight
coordinating with property managers on access, security, and guest experience

The World Cup will not be confined to stadium gates or match days. It will reshape travel patterns, business activity, and global perception of Atlanta for years to come. Buckhead organizations that plan early will be best positioned to capture the attention, energy, and economic activity this moment brings. To continue exploring how the World Cup will impact Buckhead, including transportation planning, employer readiness, and opportunities for local businesses, visit our ongoing World Cup blog series at livablebuckhead.com/category/world-cup/. You can also find practical tools, planning guidance, and curated resources at livablebuckhead.com/soccer/

Sources
• https://www.globalatlanta.com/at-least-five-national-teams-eyeing-world-cup-base-camps-in-atlanta/
• https://theatlantavoice.com/fifa-world-cup-atlanta-business/
• https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/01/16/fulton-county-2026-world-cup/
• https://www.fox5atlanta.com/video/fmc-mz4ngnaf9343kcpk