2026 World Cup Tickets Atlanta: Mercedes-Benz Stadium Semi-Final Guide

The FIFA ticket lottery has ended and in case you are studying this text in mid-January 2026, you might be both ready for the February allocation outcomes or are already planning your secondary market technique. In any case, with 5 months to go till Atlanta’s eight World Cup matches, together with the semifinals on July 15, it is time to determine the precise logistics.

Preparations are underway on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium for one of many two matches that may decide a spot within the closing, having beforehand hosted two matches in opposition to Spain and Morocco. The venue opened in 2017 and has already hosted the Tremendous Bowl, residence to Atlanta United FC, and greater than 40,000 spectators proving that American cities can preserve an genuine soccer tradition as soon as the product is delivered.

In the event you’re planning a visit to Atlanta, this information has every thing you want to know.

• Which matches are well worth the cash?
• What Atlanta’s MARTA System Truly Covers
• The place to remain on a budget in New York
• Is Southern hospitality residing as much as its advertising or is the service simply sluggish?

If you wish to study extra in regards to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, we suggest testing our different guides.

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Mercedes-Benz Stadium: Venue

capability: 75,000 (World Cup configuration)
place: 1 am Drive Northwest, Atlanta, 30313
Open state: 2017
Charge: £1.18 billion ($1.5 billion)
Distance from airport: 16 miles (Hartsfield Jackson ATL)

The stadium is positioned downtown and related to MARTA’s Blue/Inexperienced Line, a brief stroll from 5 Factors or Dome/GWCC stations. This data is vital as a result of Atlanta is one in all maybe solely three World Cup host cities in America the place public transportation truly works with out the necessity for Ph.D.-level planning.

The stadium’s retractable roof is apparently formed like a digicam aperture. It is actually spectacular if you open it. Storage choices turn out to be useful to take care of the July warmth. When it closes, the air con kicks in and all of a sudden soccer is being performed in a climate-controlled, snug atmosphere as an alternative of the Georgia summer time humidity that makes Miami really feel so heat.

Arthur Clean (founding father of House Depot and proprietor of the Falcons/Atlanta United) constructed this stadium as his legacy challenge. The outcomes had been spectacular. Mercedes-Benz Stadium affords spectacular views, extensive concourses, and legally inexpensive reductions that defy any sports activities venue in America. Do not you belief us? Think about paying £1.58 ($2) for a sizzling canine and gentle drink. It isn’t a typo.

Current historical past: Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosted Tremendous Bowl LIII (2019) and the Faculty Soccer Playoff Championship (2018, 2021). Atlanta United often attracts crowds of greater than 45,000. To higher illustrate stadium capability, let’s return to the 2018 MLS Cup Remaining, the place the Atlanta United vs. Portland Timbers sport drew a crowd of 73,019. The house crew’s 2-0 victory was greater than only a pleasure, it proved that the venue maintains a ardour for soccer that’s greater than a novelty.

Official sources:

full match schedule

___
*Playoff winner can be decided in March 2026
Supply: FIFA official schedule

what actually issues

Spain twice: The European powerhouses are scheduled to play two group stage video games 5 months from now. Spain brings technical soccer and trademark aptitude, away assist and the reassurance of watching a crew that is not embarrassing. Each video games (June 15 and 21) characteristic a midday kickoff, which is nice for avoiding the July night warmth, however might be unhealthy information for Saturday evening plans that might be derailed by afternoon soccer.

Morocco vs Haiti (June 24): Atlanta’s sturdy West African diaspora and Montreal’s Haitian group are positive to generate actual away assist for each side. That is no impartial floor, however moderately two fan bases that may conflict in what is predicted to be a heated affair, not less than off the pitch.

Semi-finals (July 15): Certainly one of two matches around the globe to find out who will compete within the closing. Assignments can be made within the coming weeks. In case you have a ticket, you are all set. If they do not, the secondary market can be…educated.

Ticket actuality test (January 2026)

The lottery closed on January thirteenth. Outcomes can be introduced in February. In the event you’re in, congratulations. When you’re out, that is the place you come subsequent.

Official FIFA Worth (as requested)

Realities of the secondary market (how a lot you truly pay)

The secondary ticket marketplace for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may be very various. In the case of Atlanta, there isn’t a doubt that Spain is the principle focus for supporters planning a visit to the US. Spain matches are already fetching between £315 and £473 ($400-$600) for Class 2 seats. ticketcenter.comis a web site specialised in offering protected and safe tickets to numerous occasions around the globe. The worth is at present 30% above face worth. Costs in Morocco vary from £237 to £315 ($300 to $400), however these provide the prospect to safe early entry.

What about tickets for the semi-finals?

Present promoting costs vary from £1,972 to £2,761 ($2,500 to $3,500) for Class 1. That is what it could value to purchase now, 5 months from now, when nobody is aware of which groups can be enjoying. If Spain reaches the semi-finals, add 50%. Double if England can in some way get there.

technique: In the event you miss the draw and are on a funds, you’ll want to goal the Spanish group or Morocco. You will get a style of the World Cup for 315 to 473 kilos ($400 to 600), moderately than semi-final costs that require an organ sale.

Methods to get to Mercedes-Benz Stadium

That is the half the place Atlanta features like an actual metropolis with public transportation.

MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Fast Transit Authority) offers direct entry to the stadium. No shuttles or issues required. Solely purposeful trains can be utilized.

Malta web site: itsmarta.com

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Written by MARTA (really useful)

From the airport:

• Pink/Gold Line from Airport Station to 5 Factors
• Switch to Blue/Inexperienced Line to Dome/GWCC Station or Georgia State Station
• 5 minutes stroll to the stadium
• Time required: 25-Half-hour
• Worth: A technique £1.98 ($2.50)

From downtown lodges:

• Blue/Inexperienced Line To Dome/GWCC Station
• Time required: 5-10 minutes
• Stroll by way of CNN Middle and exit into the stadium.

From Midtown/Buckhead:

• Pink/gold line at 5 factors
• Switch to Blue/Inexperienced Line to Dome/GWCC
• Journey time: 15-20 minutes from Midtown, 25-Half-hour from Buckhead.

After the match: MARTA runs till 1 a.m. on weekdays and a couple of a.m. on weekends. For night video games (6-7:30 p.m. kick-off), the match time will transfer again to eight:30-10 p.m., properly inside service hours. To keep away from post-game traces, buy a round-trip Breeze card on the station kiosk.

By trip share

value:

• From the airport: £15.80-23.70 ($20-$30) common worth
• From Midtown: £11.85-19.75 ($15-$25)
• From Buckhead: £15.80-27.65 ($20-$35)
• Put up-match surge: 2-3x multipliers are frequent.

Drop off: Close to gate 1 on the northwest aspect of the stadium
Choose: Designated rideshare parking can be a 10-minute stroll after the sport.

For vehicles (not really useful)

Stadium parking is restricted to 7,000 areas. Driving to a World Cup sport in Atlanta just isn’t really useful, as seats are often full a number of hours earlier than kickoff. Avenue parking downtown requires one-way streets and meter enforcement. Nevertheless, if you want to drive, you’ll want to arrive not less than 3 hours early and park within the CNN Middle or Phillips Enviornment storage (£15.80-27.65 / $20-$35). From there it’s a 10 minute stroll to the stadium.

The place to remain

Lodging in Atlanta are divided into three classes: the comfort of downtown, the character of midtown, and the posh of Buckhead. Happily, they’re all related to MARTA and are appropriate for World Cup functions.

downtown

Charge: £118-237 ($150-$300) per evening
Malta: Blue/Inexperienced/Pink/Gold traces, 5-Quarter-hour to stadium
benefit: Strolling distance to stadium, central location, enterprise resort with availability
Perfect for: Easy sport day logistics, enterprise vacationers

Lodge: CNN Middle’s Omni Lodge (actually related to the stadium by way of a walkway), Hyatt Regency, and Marriott Marquis.

midtown

Charge: £158-315 ($200-$400) per evening
Malta: Journey from Pink/Gold Line to 5 Factors, 15-20 minutes complete.
benefit: Piedmont Park, Arts District, Restaurant District, Ponce Metropolis Market
Perfect for: Youthful supporters, these searching for neighborhood character over a conference resort.

space: Targeting the tenth Avenue Hall and Peachtree Avenue, inside strolling distance to the Excessive Museum and Fox Theater

buck head

Charge: £197-394 ($250-$500) per evening
Malta: Journey from Pink/Gold Line to 5 Factors, 25-Half-hour complete.
benefit: Luxurious procuring, high-quality eating, and luxurious lodges
Perfect for: Excessive funds, prioritize resort high quality over proximity

Lodge: St. Regis, Mandarin Oriental, Waldorf Astoria

Decatur (Eastside Various)

Charge: £94.99-158 ($120-$200) per evening
Malta: On to 5 Factors on the Blue Line, 30-35 minutes complete.
benefit: Low prices, school city character, and native eating scene
Perfect for: Supporters who’re aware of their funds and people who are snug with lengthy commutes

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Atlanta Soccer Tradition

Atlanta United FC joined MLS in 2017 and shortly broke attendance data. The league attracts crowds of greater than 45,000 per sport, the place 20,000 is taken into account an enormous success. As beforehand talked about, the 2018 MLS Cup drew 73,019 folks. This isn’t performative enthusiasm. No, Atlanta helps soccer with regards to providing a product, and the soccer market not often affords a extra anticipated product than the World Cup.

Supporter teams in Atlanta (Terminus Legion, Resurgence, Footie Mob) create an environment that matches European requirements. Drums, smoke, organized chants, we have got all of it. This type of ambiance just isn’t created in American sports activities leisure. The town’s worldwide inhabitants (important Latin American, African, and European communities) understands soccer tradition past informal American sports activities followers.

What this implies for the World Cup: We’re not educating American sports activities followers about soccer. You are attempting to enter a market that already has it. Spain matches will make Spanish supporters really feel proper at residence. Morocco brings the West African diaspora to reside right here. The semi-finals will convey 75,000 individuals who perceive the stakes to a venue created for the ambiance.

Issues to do (for matchday)

downtown

• Georgia Aquarium: The world’s largest whale shark (on the time of opening), 2 hours of viewing time
• The world of Coca-Cola: An extremely participating 90 minutes of over 100 cola merchandise from around the globe
• CNN Studio Tour: Behind-the-scenes media administration, reservation required
• Centennial Olympic Park: 21 acres, fountain, free
• timing: Morning actions (9am to 12pm) will happen earlier than the midday kickoff. Afternoon occasions (6pm to 7:30pm) permit for a full day of sightseeing.

midtown

• Piedmont Park: Over 200 acres, strolling distance from Midtown lodges
• Excessive Museum: 2-3 hours at one of many Southeast’s high museums
• Atlanta Botanical Backyard: Adjoining to Piedmont Park, reveals will be seen in every season.
• Ponce Metropolis Market: Renovated Sears constructing, rooftop with metropolis views, meals corridor

Past sport day

• Martin Luther King Jr. Nationwide Historic Park: Birthplace, Ebenezer Baptist Church, free admission
• Stone Mountain: 16 miles east, cable automotive to the summit, Accomplice Monument (controversial)
• Belt line: 32-mile path loop, some open for strolling/biking
• Fox Theater: Nineteen Twenties movie show with guided excursions

the place to eat

Southern Staples (required)

• Mary Mac’s Tea Room (Downtown): Atlanta establishment based in 1945, fried rooster, mac and cheese, candy tea that tastes like diabetes.
• nationwide crew (Midtown): Drive-in since 1928, chili canine, onion rings, and the “What to Eat” custom.
• Busy Bee Cafe (West Finish): Soul meals, collard greens, cornbread.

barbecue

• Fox Bros Bar-BQ (Candler Park): Texas fashion, primarily brisket
• barbecue (A number of places): Native chain, respectable high quality, handy
• fats matt rib shack (Midtown): Informal ambiance with blues music each evening.

luxurious

• Bacchanalia (Westside): Nice eating, prix fixe menu, reservations required
• staple home (Previously Fourth District): James Beard Semifinalist, Artistic American
• gun present (Glenwood Park): Chef-driven dim sum-style service.

worldwide

• Buford Expressway Hall: 16 miles northeast, genuine Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese language, Mexican, Latin American delicacies, simply an immigrant group that cooks genuine meals with out honing in on tourism.
• Particular suggestions: Hae Woon Dae (Korean), Quoc Huong (Vietnamese), Havana Restaurant (Cuban)

conclusion

I’ve utilized for tickets and can let in February if I’ve been in a position to get them. If that’s the case, Atlanta affords legit public transportation, inexpensive concessions, and an genuine soccer tradition that does not require World Cup growth. If no, the Spanish group match fetches between £315 and £473 ($400-$600) and the semi-finals fetches between £1,972 and £2,761 ($2,500-$3,500) on the secondary market.

Logistics takes place right here. MARTA trains arrive on the stadium and are very handy. Accommodations have a number of worth ranges. This metropolis understands soccer past the novelty of American sports activities. And Mercedes-Benz Stadium works as designed. A retractable roof accommodates the climate, sightlines work from each part, and a 1.58-pound sizzling canine proves Arthur Clean’s “Enjoyable First” method is extra than simply advertising.

5 months later, the rating stays unclear. Spain might win Group H or end second. The semifinals might characteristic anticipated powers or event surprises. However the stadium is prepared, town is operational and 75,000 supporters will fill the venue. This is able to show that American cities can preserve an genuine soccer ambiance when actual funding meets actual fan tradition.

Ticket technique perspective from January 2026:

• Is there a lottery? set. E book your refundable resort as we speak.
• Haven’t got tickets? Monitor the secondary market and goal priceless Spanish group matches.
• Are you chasing semi-finals on the secondary market? Finances a minimal of £1,972-2,761 ($2,500-$3,500) and be open to important worth modifications because the crew strikes ahead.

Atlanta works. MARTA options. The meal prices £1.58. See you quickly.

FAQ

Did you get a ticket?
We’ll discover out in February when FIFA sends out the quota electronic mail. Authorised candidates can be mechanically charged the charge. If you’re partially profitable, you’re going to get some matches, however not all. If nothing is obtainable, the secondary market opens up.

Does MARTA actually work?
sure. It isn’t Tokyo or London, but it surely works. The trains run on time, the stations are clear sufficient and also you get to the stadium with none drama. Breeze playing cards will be bought on the airport or prepare station.

What’s the climate like in July?
Scorching and humid: 85-90°F (29-32°C), 70% humidity. Thunderstorms could happen within the afternoon, however they often move shortly. The stadium roof can be closed throughout matches and the inside can be climate-controlled, no matter exterior situations.

How far prematurely ought to I arrive?
Group Stage: 90 minutes is adequate. Semi-final: minimal 2.5 hours for safety, ambiance and motion of 75,000 folks. Gates open 3-4 hours previous to kickoff.

Stadium bag coverage?
Clear bag (12″ x 6″ x 12″) or small clutch (4.5″ x 6.5″) solely. Prohibited: backpacks, massive wallets, out of doors meals (besides sealed bottles), umbrellas.

Can I stroll from most lodges?
Downtown lodges: Sure (10-20 minutes). Midtown/Buckhead: Take MARTA. The strolling distance from Midtown is over 3 miles. It is doable, however uncomfortable within the July warmth.

What about low cost stadium meals?
Genuine. £1.58 ($2) sizzling canine, gentle drink and popcorn. Arthur Clean launched “fan-first pricing” when the stadium opened and maintained it all through all occasions. Naturally, that is uncommon for an American sports activities venue.

Is Atlanta protected?
Downtown and Midtown across the stadium: Sure, particularly throughout occasions. MARTA Station: Good through the day and within the night. Keep away from wandering round unfamiliar residential areas after darkish. Commonplace city consciousness applies.