Your guide to FIFA World Cup watch parties in metro Atlanta

Kristal Dixon

A general view of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, whose signage will read "Atlanta Stadium" throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026. Photo: Courtesy of Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The World Cup has started, and you're probably thinking about gathering a few friends and checking out a watch party around town.

Why it matters: This is a once-in-a-lifetime event for Atlanta, so don't shy away from immersing yourself in the experience — and watching your favorite teams compete for the FIFA World Cup trophy.

The latest: There are plenty of gatherings around the region, including in Decatur, which will host a concert each day of the World Cup.

Decatur WatchFest '26 opened Thursday and will run through July 19 on the Square.
34 free concerts featuring national and local acts are planned, and the city will show more than 60 matches on three large screens on the Square. Check out the full schedule here.
Three large concerts, which are ticketed and sold out, include Big Boi (who performed Thursday), War and Treaty (June 25) and the Indigo Girls (July 19).
No registration or tickets are required to watch the games.

What they're saying: Decatur city manager Andrea Arnold told Axios dozens of city officials have been planning the celebration for two years and expect at least a few thousand people on the Square each day.

"For me and for the city, this just reflects who we are," she said of WatchFest. "I can't really imagine something that's much more fitting to our values."