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.

Other watch parties

Caveat: This list does not include the many watch parties that neighborhood bars, restaurants and other spots will host.

Atlanta Beltline Fest: 356 University Ave. (adjacent to Pittsburgh Yards) along the Southside Trail.

Castleberry Hill: Soccer Fest.

Centennial Yards: RiseATL.

Underground Atlanta: Watch Party ATL.

Old Fourth Ward: O4W Kickoff Festival.

Uptown Atlanta: Summer of Soccer.

The CTR: Watch parties for every match.

The Works: All the Soccer Things.

See more watch parties

Atlanta's official gathering spot for FIFA World Cup 2026 opened Thursday, and thousands of people donning the jerseys of their favorite teams ventured to Centennial Olympic Park to kick off the opening ceremony.

Why it matters: Thirty years ago, the city hosted the world at the same location where the 1996 Olympics were held in Atlanta.

• Now, Atlanta is among 16 cities across Canada, Mexico and the U.S. that are doing that exact same thing, Mayor Andre Dickens said.

The latest: The FIFA Fan Festival in Atlanta includes places where you can grab some food, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), listen to live entertainment and partake in activities (view the full schedule here).

What they're saying: Dickens said Atlanta has livened up Downtown "for you to be able to enjoy yourself."

• Gov. Brian Kemp added that "we do not need people to stay away" from Downtown. "This is an opportunity of a lifetime here on the 250th anniversary of this great country," Kemp said.

Zoom in: Axios' Kristal Dixon checked out Fan Festival and has some advice on how to make the most out of the experience.

• First: hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Make sure you drink plenty of water the day before you plan to go to Fan Fest and while you're there.
• Second: Take a break from the sun and seek shade. Wear a hat, loose-fitting clothing and comfortable shoes. Bring a hand-held fan or splurge on a neck fan.
• Third: Apply sunscreen before you get there and keep it handy to reapply if you're planning to be there for a while.

See more tips

To celebrate the World Cup's arrival, the Atlanta Arts Collective has released a new illustration that "highlights the people and places that are the foundation of Atlanta's soccer culture."

Driving the news: The Atlanta Soccer Map was created by artist and illustrator Joe Veazey, who is best known for his wildly-popular Atlanta Rap Map and American Barbecue Map.

Zoom in: Veazey's map showcases local teams, grassroots programs, clothing designers, bars and restaurants, apparel shops and stadiums around the metro area that bring soccer to life.

What they're saying: "It was such an incredible opportunity to bring this living, breathing culture to life visually as an illustrated map," Veazey said in a press release. "My hope is that it opens up a world to both Atlantans that were unaware, and global visitors that are in town for the World Cup."

💭 Kristal's thought bubble: This is so neat! And yes, we know you can't really zoom in on the map above, so click here to see the high-res version.

🦺 A proposal that would require developers to build temporary pathways for pedestrians when work zones block sidewalks is set to go before the Atlanta City Council on Monday. (Fox5)

🗳️ Two Republican candidates locked in respective runoffs for the governorship and a U.S. Senate seat are both from the same small town. (AJC)

• Burt Jones' campaign says they're hoping voters in Jackson will help the lieutenant governor prevail against billionaire health care executive Rick Jackson in next week's gubernatorial runoff.

🍽️ If you're in town for the World Cup and don't know where to eat, Eater Atlanta has you covered.

⛔️ Fulton County DA Fani Willis on Thursday warned seniors not to fall prey to scams targeting older adults during the World Cup games. (CBS)