This month, arguably the world’s biggest sporting event is coming to Atlanta and other U.S cities. When matches kick off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, to be called Atlanta Stadium due to advertising regulations, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Atlanta will be on display for the world to see. The games draw billions of viewers and inspire people to travel to different countries just to see their favorite teams play.
Atlanta has earned its reputation as a major event city. We hosted the Super Bowl in 2019, the Olympics in 1996, and many conventions, so on paper, being selected as a host for the World Cup makes sense. But
But the most immediate concern was transportation. MARTA’s rail system is smaller than those in other host cities. We have 38 stations, compared to Boston’s 153 and Philadelphia’s 155.
This will be an issue because 300,000 people are expected to attend the World Cup over the 8 games, and there will be thousands of people at fewer, smaller stations. This was an issue last summer, when a Beyoncé concert was held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. After the show, concertgoers were trying to get into the Vine City Station when 9 people got injured because of faulty escalators, speeding up and randomly stopping. Fox 5 Atlanta reported that the escalator appeared to collapse after too many people got on at once.
In addition, Atlanta faces severe traffic congestion. According to research by Consumer Affairs, Atlanta ranks at number 5 for worst traffic in the country, below other big congested cities such as Miami, Los Angeles, Houston, and New York. This creates longer commuting times and makes it harder for people to get around the city. Heavy traffic could also make it more difficult for fans to get to the games and hotels.
“I would definitely fix transportation, said Bezalel Erkobe, 15. “Especially traffic and public transportation. If MARTA ran more often and was easier to use, that would help a lot with the traffic problem. If transportation improves, I think the whole event would run a lot smoother.”
There have been a few changes to Atlanta’s MARTA system, and construction is still continuing. Vine City Station has been upgraded cosmetically with new murals, decorations, and fliers for the World Cup. At 5 points, the same was done, along with new seats and screens, to provide a more comfortable and modern experience with Atlanta’s public transit system.
Atlanta may also see the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which may affect the atmosphere of the World Cup. Recently, ICE replaced the TSA at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. This will affect the efficiency of the Airport and the comfort of incoming fans, as the World Cup brings in a large international fan base. Some people may feel uneasy about traveling and attending the games.
The World Cup is a huge opportunity for Atlanta to showcase what it has to offer, from its culture to its energy. But it will also put pressure on the city to address the issues locals already face here. How Atlanta handles transportation, safety, and community issues will reflect on visitors’ perceptions of what the city is really like for the people who live here.
