Get ready for a summer of soccer as the FIFA World Cup 2026™ arrives in Atlanta. Eight matches will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta, and Decatur is just six miles east. Whether you are looking for a watch party or things to do in between matches, Decatur is ready for you!
Decatur WatchFest 26
Decatur is welcoming the world with Decatur WatchFest 26. It’s a free 34-day soccer celebration on our renovated downtown Decatur Square. Watch 60+ World Cup matches on three big screens outdoors on the square and even more in WatchSpots in soccer pubs, restaurants, and breweries from June 11-July 19. Come for daily matches and concerts, soccer activities with Atlanta United, and fun for the days you can’t be in the stands.
Big Boi kicks off our live music series on June 11, War and Treaty performs June 25, and Decatur’s own Grammy-winning Indigo Girls will close out our festivities on July 19. The talent doesn’t stop there — The Stews, Her Majesty’s Request, John Boy and the Surround Sound, DJ EU, DJ La Superiorrr x La Choloteca, and more to be announced.
Just steps away, pop into a WatchSpot — soccer-loving local restaurants, pubs, and breweries where you can grab a seat, a tasty bite and a drink, and not miss a minute. Or snag a to-go cocktail or cold beer and head back outside to watch on the big screen. Bounce between inside and out, sip and stroll, and enjoy WatchFest your way.
Everyone is welcome! Come cheer, chant, dance, and watch world-class soccer—Decatur-style.
Get the full scoop and start planning your experience at DecaturWatchFest26.com. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook at @DecaturWatchFest26.
Decatur is six miles east of Atlanta, well connected by MARTA rail and bursting with things to do all year round, making our city the perfect starting point for exploring all of metro Atlanta.
Stay amid the action with a quick, car-free commute for the next kickoff. Decatur has three MARTA rail stations within our city limits giving you easy access to the stadium, metro Atlanta, and the airport.
We are a soccer city …. And a foodie city and an artsy city and a music-is-a-must city and a child-friendly city and a bike city and a totally walkable city! Enjoy destination dining at Michelin-recommended and award-winning restaurants or more casual fare at beloved favorites. Catch live music any night at Eddie’s Attic, an iconic Atlanta venue. Take a hands-on class at Decatur Glassblowing. Brewery hop or sip and stroll (yes, you can take your drinks with you in our restaurant districts!). Do some standout shopping. Got kiddos? Check out the new playground area on the square.
Decatur has three MARTA rail stations within the city limits, providing easy access to metro Atlanta and the airport. The Decatur MARTA Station (E6) sits directly below the Decatur Square, our downtown center, and is only a block away from the Hampton Inn & Suites and Decatur Courtyard by Marriott.
For $2.50 each way, MARTA is a fast, cheap, convenient, car-free option. And it’s a quick trip, too. Tap directly at faregates and validators with your bank card or mobile wallet. Or buy a new, orange breeze card at station kiosks.
From Decatur to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is one of the easiest stadiums in the country to reach by public transit. Hop on a MARTA train to the SEC District Station (formerly called the Georgia Dome/GWCC/CNN Center Station), the preferred stadium stop and a short walk away from the entrance gates.
From Decatur Station, you’ll take the Blue/Green line to Five Points Station and switch to the Yellow/Red line for the SEC District Station.
From Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to Decatur
MARTA’s Airport Station is the final station on the south end of the Red/Gold lines. Find it nestled in-between the north and south baggage claim areas on the west end of the domestic terminal.
From Airport Station, take MARTA rail to Little Five Points. Take the blue line east to Decatur Station (E6). Exit east (Church Street) for direct access to our downtown square. Both of our downtown hotels are less than a 5-minute walk (.3 miles) away.
