At the 113th annual meeting of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Andre Dickens joined hospitality leaders, business partners, and regional stakeholders to highlight Atlanta’s growing role as a global soccer destination and the citywide preparations underway ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ ⚽
Held at the Georgia Aquarium and attended by roughly 800 guests, this year’s gathering centered on the theme “Uniting Atlanta as a Soccer City.” The event brought together leaders across tourism, sports, transportation, public safety, and economic development sectors helping shape Atlanta’s international moment.
A City That Helped Change the Soccer Conversation
During his remarks, Mayor Dickens reflected on how far Atlanta has come since early questions about whether professional soccer could succeed in the South.
The success of Atlanta United helped establish one of the most passionate fan bases in the country and positioned the city as a major destination for international matches and tournaments. With the FIFA World Cup approaching, Atlanta continues building on that momentum through new facilities, partnerships, and coordinated planning across agencies.
The upcoming Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center and the arrival of a new National Women’s Soccer League team are expected to further strengthen Atlanta’s place in the global soccer landscape.
City Departments Preparing Across the Board
Mayor Dickens emphasized that preparing for the World Cup is a true citywide effort, with nearly every department contributing to readiness planning.
Public safety agencies began coordination years before Atlanta was officially named a host city. Planning efforts include:
- Adjusted staffing strategies and regional law enforcement coordination
- Technology enhancements at E-911 to support multilingual communication
- Emergency preparedness planning with more than 500 public and private partners
- Fire, EMS, and life-safety coordination led by Atlanta Fire Rescue
- Transportation readiness work across ATLDOT and Public Works
Regional partners—including MARTA, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and the Atlanta BeltLine—are also supporting mobility and visitor experience planning ahead of the tournament.
Turning Global Attention Into Local Opportunity
The Mayor also highlighted how organizations like Invest Atlanta and Showcase Atlanta are working with small businesses, entrepreneurs, and creatives to ensure the benefits of the tournament extend across neighborhoods and industries.
Hospitality leaders gathered at the meeting play a central role in shaping how visitors experience the city during major events—and how they remember Atlanta long after they leave 🌍
As Mayor Dickens noted, the success of the World Cup will depend on the partnerships already underway across the region.
“Every one of you is essential to making this a success,” he told attendees. “The services you provide, the experiences you create, and the pride we all share in this city will help determine how the world remembers Atlanta.”
