ATLANTA — Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host eight matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026, including a semifinal.
The downtown Atlanta venue will host five group-stage games, a round of 32 match, a round of 16 match and a semifinal during the tournament.
Stadium design and history
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The stadium opened in 2017 with an estimated cost of $1.6 billion.
“A building in downtown because downtown really represents the heart and the soul of Atlanta, and we feel that area is moving in the right direction,” said Arthur M. Blank, owner and chairman of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Erleen Hatfield, a stadium engineer, said the design presented unique challenges.
“We had a lot of crazy ideas,” Hatfield said. “It is such a unique, truly one-of-a-kind building, one of those projects that comes along once in a lifetime and creates unique challenges.”
The stadium is home to the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United and Atlanta’s new women’s pro soccer team.
Fan excitement and travel considerations
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Preparations for the tournament are underway.
“We are really excited that is coming here. This is something that we haven’t seen in a while, so we are excited to be here, to be so close, to be a part of the experience,” said Victoria Aloan, a soccer fan.
Aloan said the stadium is well-suited for the event.
“It is beautiful. I think it is the perfect place for this to be,” she said.
Fans from the Upstate face a drive of more than two hours to reach the stadium. Traffic on game days could extend travel times.
“I think it’s gonna be great. People are definitely going to take the drive to get to such a beautiful stadium,” Aloan said.
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