In Atlanta, visiting sports fans will get what you expect from the American South—classic Southern cooking and deep-rooted sports culture—and you'll get something extra: the perfect hub for outdoor activities like golf, tennis, cycling, and adventures in gorgeous Georgia nature. It's also become a film industry hotspot, has long been known as the unofficial headquarters of Southern hip-hop, and regularly hosts a variety of events including podcast, film, art, TV, and food festivals. All of which is to say, there are loads of reasons to visit Atlanta.
Atlanta’s historical roots feel present—the city was home to several Civil Rights leaders including Dr. Martin Luther King and John Lewis, and was once dubbed "the city too busy to hate" as part of an effort to fight racism and promote business in the 1950s and 60s. Today, it boasts the country’s busiest airport, a buzzing film and television industry, and is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. It’s also increasingly known as a transplant city, where native Georgians and folks from all over the country combine to create an exciting mix of culture, food—and of course, sports.
Atlanta has five major professional sports teams in the Atlanta Braves, Falcons, Hawks, Dream and United. In the heart of the south, Saturdays in the fall mean everything here, as college football is king. Locals have reason to be proud; the city has played host to every massive sporting event including the Super Bowl, the Olympics, March Madness tournaments, and college football national championships. It'll host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and another Super Bowl in 2028, too. Here, I’ll share my picks for a trip to Atlanta that’ll please everyone, but especially a sports fan.