The countdown is on.
With just days until Atlanta hosts its first FIFA World Cup 2026 match, Mayor Andre Dickens joined leaders at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Tuesday to unveil ATLAS, a new digital centerpiece designed to welcome visitors from around the globe and enhance the traveler experience.
Located in the Domestic Terminal Atrium, the 14-foot-tall digital sphere is the first of its kind at a U.S. airport. The installation will display dynamic content, share important traveler information, support emergency communications and serve as a new visual landmark for the millions of passengers who travel through Atlanta each year.
The unveiling marks another milestone as Atlanta prepares to welcome the world for FIFA World Cup 2026. The city will host eight matches beginning June 15, with hundreds of thousands of visitors expected to travel through the region during the tournament.
“Thirty years after the Olympic Games, the world is coming back to Atlanta,” Mayor Dickens said during the event.
The Mayor emphasized that investments tied to major events like the World Cup leave lasting benefits long after visitors return home. ATLAS is one example of how Atlanta is using the global spotlight to enhance infrastructure and improve the experience for residents and travelers alike.
The new sphere replaces the airport’s longtime atrium clock tower, which served as a familiar meeting point for travelers for more than three decades.
Tuesday’s event also celebrated the thousands of airport employees helping prepare for one of the largest sporting events in the world. From enhanced visitor experiences to new technology and operational improvements, Hartsfield-Jackson is playing a critical role in Atlanta’s efforts to deliver a memorable World Cup experience.
For many visitors, their first impression of Atlanta will happen the moment they step inside Hartsfield-Jackson. With ATLAS now shining in the heart of the airport, that welcome is brighter than ever.
