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Atlanta scores! 2026 World Cup is Benz bound BY DYANA BAGBY The men’s 2026 World Cup soccer tournament is headed to Atlanta’s MercedesBenz Stadium, a goal city officials and sports fans have been hoping to achieve for years. The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the governing body of the World Cup, announced the host cities for one of the most popular sporting events in the world on June 16. FIFA also selected Boston, Dallas, Guadalajara, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Miami, Monterrey, New York / New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver as 2026 World Cup host cities. FIFA estimated more than 3.2 billion people watched at least some of the 2018 World Cup. The Atlanta Sports Council, a division of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, led the bid process to bring the 2026 men’s World Cup to Atlanta, one that began roughly four years ago. “The biggest sporting event is coming to Atlanta,” Dan Corso, president of the Atlanta Sports Council, said during a press con-
Mercedes-Benz Stadium was lit up last year to welcome FIFA officials during a tour of potential 2026 World Cup stadiums. FIFA announced June 16 some of the soccer matches will be played in Atlanta. (FIFA)
ference at Mercedes-Benz Stadium after announcements of the host cities concluded. “The global event is connecting an international city with our international diversity and our connectivity to the world to our
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16 JULY 2022 | REPORTER NEWSPAPERS
airport,” he said. “It’s a perfect match, if you will pardon the pun.” The 2026 World Cup will be the first played in the U.S. since 1994. The tournament is also the first time three countries are co-hosting. There will be 48 teams playing, up from the traditional 32, so the tournament will produce more games than ever. Gov. Brian Kemp said at the press conference the World Cup is returning to a much more thriving and popular U.S. soccer culture than existed in 1994. “No city embodies this transition more than Atlanta, which has wholeheartedly embraced soccer and supported its growth,” he said. “Since their inaugural season in 2017, our very own Atlanta United have set attendance records for soccer matches in the U.S., with an average attendance rivaling some of the biggest clubs in the world,” Kemp said. “I look forward to the day when we will be united in this state for one of the most impactful events in our state’s history.” Kemp also noted he signed legislation in May that eliminates sales tax on World Cup tickets. Georgia also set aside $250,000 in next year’s budget for security if Atlanta won the bid. More money will be needed for security, Kemp said. But the budget line item let FIFA know the city and state were serious about bringing the World Cup to Atlanta. The world now knows Atlanta is a “soccer town,” said Mayor Andre Dickens. One of the city’s best selling points is MARTA’s direct access from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta
International Airport to the Georgia World Congress Center/CNN Center Station, he said. The transit station serves dozens of hotels and tourist sites near Mercedes-Benz Stadium. By 2026, the massive redevelopment of The Gulch into Centennial Yards is expected to replace acres of asphalt surrounding the stadium with hotels, office towers, restaurants and retail. These new amenities are also selling points. “This area in the next four years is going to look a little different,” he said. “Atlanta is ready to welcome folks from all over the world and fill every seat in this beautiful stadium, just like we do for our Atlanta United matches,” he said. The Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United both play home matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which opened in 2017 and seats about 75,000. The stadium has a retractable roof and artificial turf. FIFA requires World Cup tournaments be played on grass. Stadium officials said there is a plan to convert the stadium to grass for the World Cup, but when the tournament is over, the field will return to turf. A study by the Boston Consulting Group said the 2026 World Cup could mean up to $4 billion in net revenue to North America, or about $90 to $480 million per city after accounting for potential public costs. Atlanta is estimated to get $415 million in ben-
From left, Gov. Brian Kemp, Mayor Andre Dickens and Atlanta Sports Council President Dan Corso. (Dyana Bagby)
efits. Shortly after the announcement, the Atlanta City Council released a group statement: “Atlanta certainly has experience hosting top-tier sporting events in our city, including three Super Bowls and the Olympics, so it’s very exciting to add this incredible event to that rich history. Our city has the venues and the fan base for a truly special atmosphere. This [is] a wonderful opportunity to showcase our city to the world once again.” reporternewspapers.com
