ATLANTA — Soccer fans from all over the world are going to flock to Atlanta this summer when the FIFA World Cup hosts matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Channel 2βs Linda Stouffer checked in with some of Atlantaβs biggest institutions about their plans for welcoming global fans.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
At the Georgia Aquarium, CEO Travis Burke teased a major expansion of the otter and exhibit, and some secret new friends who will be moving in.
β[Weβre] opening it up probably three times as large as it was before, and thereβs gonna be a new species that will be overhead," Burke said.
But the aquarium isnβt just for tourists.
βWe are very excited about the World Cup. We want our guests, the folks who live here to still come to Georgia Aquarium. Weβre here for you," Burke said.
RELATED STORIES:
- FIFA World Cup: Mercedes-Benz Stadium to start natural grass field preparations this month
- 2026 FIFA World Cup: Hereβs how much itβll cost to see the Atlanta matches
- 2026 FIFA World Cup: Atlanta match schedule, which countries will play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Over on the Atlanta Beltline, CEO Clyde Higgs is excited for the 16 miles of connectivity theyβll offer by the time fans get here.
βWeβll have 16 continuous miles of Beltline trail, so literally from Morningside all the way into Mercedes-Benz: walk, scooter, ride a bike, and you donβt have to get into a vehicle,β he said.
Higgs says they are also launching a World Cup business portal with toolkits, rules and permitting guidance so local companies can activate their own World Cup moments.
Thereβs also plenty of construction downtown to get ready, like the new Centennial Yards, Hotel Phoenix, a new luxury hotel near Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and a new entertainment complex under construction.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Β©2026 Cox Media Group
