⚽ FIFA World Cup 2026 — June 11 to July 19
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🏇 16 Stadiums · 3 Nations · 104 Matches
MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM <em style=ATLANTA — FIFA World Cup 2026" style="width:100%;height:440px;object-fit:cover" loading="eager">
OCULUS ROOF ICON • LEED PLATINUM CERTIFIED

MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM ATLANTA

Capacity 71,000 · 5 WC matches · Oculus roof · Atlanta, Georgia

71,000
Capacity
5
WC Matches
2017
Built
$1.5B
Cost
Oculus
Roof design
LEED Plat.
Green cert.
Venue details

MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM — Key Facts

MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM — complete fact sheet
DetailInformation
Full nameMercedes-Benz Stadium
Location1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Capacity (WC 2026)71,000
SurfaceNatural grass (rolls in)
RoofRetractable oculus (8 petals)
OpenedAugust 26, 2017
Cost$1.5 billion USD
NFL tenantAtlanta Falcons
MLS tenantAtlanta United FC
CertificationLEED Platinum (greenest US sports venue)
Distance to HJAIA~20 km south via I-85
TransitMARTA heavy rail to GWCC/State Farm Arena station
Gallery

Photos

MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM — World Cup 2026
June–July 2026

MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM Match Schedule

FIFA World Cup 2026 matches — MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM
DateMatchRoundKickoff
Jun 19, FriGroup D — MatchGroup DTBD
Jun 22, MonGroup F — MatchGroup FTBD
Jun 25, ThuGroup H — MatchGroup HTBD
Jun 27, SatGroup J — Final matchdayGroup JTBD
Jul 5, SunRound of 32 — MatchR32TBD

Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta: complete FIFA World Cup 2026 guide

Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta is widely considered the most architecturally significant of all 16 World Cup 2026 venues. Opened in August 2017 at a cost of $1.5 billion, the stadium is LEED Platinum certified — the greenest professional sports venue in the United States — and features the iconic oculus roof, an eight-panel retractable system inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. The panels peel back to reveal a circular skylight above the field, creating a visual spectacle unlike any other stadium in the World Cup.

The oculus: engineering and spectacle

The oculus structure consists of eight triangular ETFE-cushion panels that fold inward to open the roof. When fully open, a 100-metre circular aperture admits natural light directly onto the pitch. The opening mechanism moves each of the eight petals on a rail system; full open or close takes approximately 8 minutes. Construction of the oculus required solving complex engineering challenges around sealing, drainage, and synchronised panel movement — the final design cost an estimated $200 million of the stadium's total budget. For World Cup 2026, the roof status (open or closed) will depend on Georgia's June weather — Atlanta averages 12 rainy days and temperatures of 30–33°C in June.

Atlanta United and MLS success

Atlanta United FC, who share Mercedes-Benz Stadium with the Falcons, averaged over 47,000 fans per MLS match during their early seasons — a record that stood for several years. This soccer depth means the stadium's operations team has genuine experience managing premium international football atmospheres. For World Cup group matches at Mercedes-Benz, local Atlanta United and international soccer communities will provide a foundation of engaged supporters even before ticketed travelling fans are factored in.

Travel from Canada

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is a major Delta Airlines hub with direct daily flights from Toronto Pearson, Vancouver and Montreal. Flight time from Toronto is approximately 2.5 hours. The MARTA heavy rail system runs directly from the airport to GWCC/State Farm Arena station — a 20-minute walk from Mercedes-Benz Stadium; the full ride takes approximately 25 minutes and avoids all Atlanta highway congestion.

All USA venuesRose Bowl LAFull scheduleAll 16 stadiums

Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta: World Cup Venue Facts

Mercedes-Benz Stadium opened in 2017 at a cost of $1.5 billion USD, replacing the Georgia Dome. It is the home of Atlanta United FC, an MLS club that averaged over 53,000 fans per game in its first season — the highest average attendance in MLS history. That soccer culture context matters for 2026: Atlanta already knows how to host elite international football.

The stadium's signature architectural feature is a retractable oculus roof with 8 petals that can open or close in 8 minutes. For World Cup play, FIFA has approved the closed-roof configuration with the roof opening for prematch events and closing for kickoff to maintain consistent ball flight and player conditions. The playing surface is natural grass on a tray system that rolls outside for sunlight when the roof is closed during the week.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world's busiest airport by passenger volume — an advantage for connectivity. Canadian routes include Toronto (1h 55min), Vancouver (5h 20min) and Calgary (4h 50min). MARTA heavy rail connects the airport to the stadium in approximately 20 minutes via the Red/Gold lines to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium station.

The surrounding Vine City and Castleberry Hill neighborhoods have undergone significant redevelopment since the stadium opened. Hotel options within 1km include the Omni Hotel at CNN Center and the Signia by Hilton, both connected to the adjacent Georgia World Congress Center campus. Hundreds of additional properties exist within 5km in Midtown and Buckhead. See our Mercedes-Benz Stadium World Cup 2026.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup marks the first edition with 48 national teams competing across 16 cities in Canada, the United States and Mexico. With 104 matches scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026, this tournament sets a new record for the largest World Cup in history. Three host nations competing simultaneously creates a cross-border sporting event unlike anything football has seen before. BC Place in Vancouver, BMO Field in Toronto and the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City are among the most iconic venues on the roster.