Atlanta will host its first knockout stage match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday. England and the Democratic Republic of the Congo face off with only one team advancing to the quarterfinals.
Kickoff is set for 12 p.m., but the pre-game celebrations are expected to begin early as fans march to the stadium. Fans will also flock to Centennial Olympic Park for the FIFA Fan Festival and other watch parties around metro Atlanta.
LIVE Team 2 Coverage capturing the excitement and energy, on Channel 2 Action News at Noon and starting at 4:00 p.m.
Here’s what to know if you’re heading to the game or a watch party on Wednesday.
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FIFA FAN FEST ATLANTA
The FIFA Fan Fest will be open on Wednesday for all three knockout matches from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. starting with the Atlanta match and ending with Team USA’s match out in California.
General admission and general admission plus tickets are all booked. There are only VIP passes remaining for Wednesday.
Fans will have to deal with the dangerous heat with a heat advisory going into effect on Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Fan Fest organizers say there will be free water stations throughout Centennial Olympic Park and fans will be allowed to bring in neck and handheld fans.
Decatur Watch Fest will also open for the first match. Fans do not need a ticket to attend.
ATLANTA STADIUM TICKETS AND GATES
The stadium gates will open three hours before kickoff. FIFA encourages fans to give themselves enough time to get through security and in case any ticket issues come up at the gate.
Here are the Atlanta Stadium entrances that fans can use.
- Entrance A: Postell Street, closest to the Vine City Station
- Entrance B: Northside Drive
- Entrance C: Magnolia Street
- Entrance D: Just off Andrew Young International Boulevard and Magnolia Street
- Entrance E: Andrew Young International Boulevard
- Entrance F: Centennial Olympic Park Drive (Not accessible)
- Entrance G: On the other side of the Silver Deck and entrance F (Not accessible)
There are still tickets available on FIFA’s website.
GETTING TO STADIUM OR FAN FEST
All parking passes must be pre-purchased and only people with match tickets can buy them, according to FIFA. You can find what parking is available near Atlanta Stadium here. The parking lots will open four hours before kickoff.
Atlanta Stadium will have rideshare areas on Broad Street between Trinity Avenue and Mitchell Street. There will also be accessible pickup and drop-off areas at GWCC Bus Lane C (Entrances B & C) and the Transportation Terminal (Entrance E).
If you’re heading to the match or Fan Fest at Centennial Olympic Park, you can also take MARTA.
There are two MARTA stations next to the stadium: SEC District (formerly known as CNN Center/GWCC station) and Vine City. Fans can also walk from Peachtree Center or Five Points stations to Fan Fest.
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