Atlanta is Getting World Cup-Ready—And So Should Your Business

Atlanta will host eight World Cup matches in summer 2026, including a semifinal, marking one of its most significant visitor moments in nearly 30 years. For small businesses, this isn’t just a global sports event; it’s a once-in-a-generation economic opportunity. 

As part of their work to support small businesses, the Beltline Business Solutions Office has worked with the city and other partners to create a comprehensive business readiness playbook, housed on the Beltline’s new Digital Hub, your digital gateway to the Beltline World Cup Experience. The strategy will equip Atlanta's entrepreneurs to benefit from all the major event will bring. 

Why It Matters 

The World Cup will bring record-breaking foot traffic, global media attention, and a surge in local spending—but also new rules and expectations. The playbook translates these into clear guidance for Atlanta’s small businesses hoping to activate around the events. 

The Business Readiness Toolkit  

The first part of the playbook is a straightforward guide to the essential rules and requirements you’ll need to operate confidently in the city during the World Cup, including: 

• A full business readiness checklist to help you stay organized and compliant 

• FIFA Clean Zones and what they mean for advertising, vending, and activity in certain parts of the city 

• Key permitting requirements and temporary event guidelines, including Beltline-Specific events 

• FIFA intellectual property dos and don’ts, ensuring you market your business safely without violating trademark rules 

And additional resources to help you make the most of this event! 

The Activation Playbook  

Once businesses are ready to activate, this section includes: 

• How to activate on the Beltline 

• Vendor readiness guidance to help Beltline businesses tap into increased customer demand 

• How to host public viewings or neighborhood celebrations (including when you need a FIFA public viewing license) 

The playbook also provides planning checklists, activation-day readiness guides, timelines, and other tools to help you go from idea to activation. 

A New Beltline Information Hub 

As the City gears up for June 2026 and World Cup fans begin making plans to come to Atlanta, the Beltline has launched a new digital gateway to the Beltline World Cup Experience. The platform provides valuable information for small businesses, residents, and visitors to connect, participate in, and explore all the happenings on and around the Beltline. Featuring live event listings within a half mile of the corridor, itinerary recommendations, and resources for small businesses, this is definitely a page you will want to bookmark and refer to regularly over the next seven months.   

Get Started 

Ready to learn more? Download the playbook, comb through the checklists, and plug in to all the resources available to your business! 

The full list of partners includes the City of Atlanta, E-Street Team, Showcase Atlanta, M-SCELLANEOUS™, Invest Atlanta, and Everybody Eats Media.