As Atlanta prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a diverse lineup of civic leaders, soccer stars, business executives, and cultural ambassadors is working behind the scenes to shape the city’s moment on the global stage.

Blind Willie's, named for the late Georgia blues great Blind Willie McTell, has been an enduring fixture of Atlanta’s music scene for the past 40 years. It's survived this long thanks to a devoted community of staff and longtime patrons. We asked a few of them to share their favorite memories of the club.

The process of making The Joke’s On Me proved to be particularly poignant for Foxworthy, as it was filmed at the Gas South Theatre in Duluth, Georgia. Foxworthy was born, raised, and still lives in Atlanta, while he also has a home in Harris County.

It’s hard to overstate what a big deal it is for Atlanta to welcome the FIFA World Cup. Thirty years ago, we proved to the world we can host a major global event when we welcomed the Olympics. Now, we’re flexing again. Hang on to your tifos: The World Cup has arrived.

Chamblee is well on its way to becoming an arts destination. This month, Dunwoody-based nonprofit Spruill Center for the Arts opens a collection of 15 artist workspaces in the former Chamblee City Hall building on Peachtree Road.

Buying a home is more expensive today than any time in U.S. history—and it’s disproportionately affecting young Atlantans, as they tend to have lower incomes and less savings. To get into the game, they are settling for fixer-uppers, scraping together down payments, and taking on higher insurance premiums.

You don’t need a ticket to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to experience the World Cup in Atlanta. From packed soccer bars and neighborhood watch parties to Beltline festivals and citywide celebrations, metro Atlanta is turning the tournament into a summer-long community event.

The World Cup may bring the global spotlight to Atlanta, but the city’s soccer culture thrives year-round. From retirees in Roswell to children playing beside MARTA stations, these players show how the game continues to connect Atlantans long after FIFA blows the final whistle.

Volunteers are responsible for making sure the FIFA World Cup 2026™ is a positive and memorable experience for visitors. In Atlanta, there are 3,000 recruited, vetted, and trained by the FIFA World Cup™ Volunteer Program. "Our hospitality really shines through with the volunteers,” says Margaret Beckley, the volunteer program lead for the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee.

Recall the 2019 Super Bowl in Atlanta. Traffic woes dominated local headlines, with MARTA receiving much of the blame. This summer, prepare for the same super-sized crowds and traffic—and multiply it by eight. With the arrival of the FIFA World Cup 2026—is MARTA ready?