From global football giants to WWE showdowns and a sea of 10K runners, Atlanta is throwing a full-on summer celebration — and the whole world’s invited.
Atlanta is getting loud this summer — and not just from the heat. A flurry of massive events is headed to town, putting the city at the center of sports, entertainment, and culture. If it feels like something’s always happening this year, it’s because, well, it is.
The FIFA Club World Cup. The return of the Peachtree Road Race. MLB stars hitting Truist Park. WWE’s high-octane weekend. That’s just July. No wonder the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau is calling this a moment to “showcase Atlanta on the global stage.”
Let’s break down the highlights.
FIFA Club World Cup Makes Atlanta One of Its Biggest Stages
Get ready for some of the most electric nights Mercedes-Benz Stadium has ever seen. The inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup lands in the U.S. this year — and Atlanta is hosting six key matches.
That includes three group-stage games and three knockout fixtures, featuring elite clubs like Chelsea FC, Inter Miami, Manchester City, and FC Porto. Not bad for a first-time host city.
June’s looking like this:
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June 16: Chelsea FC vs. winner of LAFC/Club América
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June 19: Inter Miami CF (yes, Messi’s club) vs. FC Porto
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June 22: Manchester City vs. Al Ain FC
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June 29 & July 1: Round of 16 matchups
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July 5: Quarterfinal showdown
These aren’t just exhibition matches. These count. And they’re happening in one of the NFL’s most tech-savvy venues, repurposed for global football.
One sentence here: The city’s going to feel more like Madrid or Manchester than Midtown.
The Club World Cup also plants Atlanta squarely in the crosshairs of future World Cup excitement. With the 2026 World Cup coming to the U.S., this is a test — and a teaser.
60,000 Runners, One Race: The Peachtree Tradition Continues
It’s loud. It’s sweaty. It’s absolutely iconic.
The Peachtree Road Race is back on July 4 for its 56th running, and while registration’s already closed, the city’s biggest unofficial party doesn’t require a bib. Spectators line the route, blasting music and handing out high-fives (and sometimes popsicles).
Only one sentence here: It’s Atlanta’s Fourth of July heartbeat.
There’s something personal about this race. Maybe it’s the crowd, maybe the t-shirts, or maybe it’s the unspoken “I survived Cardiac Hill” badge of honor.
Even if you’ve never laced up a pair of running shoes in your life, watching 60,000 people charge through the city is its own kind of thrill.
WWE Is Taking Over State Farm Arena for One Wild Weekend
Atlanta’s about to get body-slammed by pure entertainment.
WWE’s “Weekend Takeover” hits State Farm Arena July 12–13, with three big events in just over 36 hours. That includes the legacy-soaked “Great American Bash,” followed by the throwback “Saturday Night’s Main Event.” And capping it all? “Evolution,” an all-women’s showcase.
Three paragraphs here now:
That’s a rare back-to-back-to-back offering from WWE, even in wrestling-obsessed cities like Atlanta. Expect plenty of pyrotechnics, nostalgia, and likely a few unexpected returns.
Fans are already speculating: Will big names like Roman Reigns or Bianca Belair show up? Will this weekend become a permanent fixture?
WWE hasn’t ruled it out. Ticket demand has been surging — especially for “Evolution,” which hasn’t been held since 2018.
The MLB All-Star Game Returns to Truist Park
It’s been almost 25 years since Atlanta last hosted baseball’s biggest party. On July 15, that changes.
The MLB All-Star Game — with all its bells, whistles, and homers — is coming to Truist Park, home of the Braves. Mastercard is presenting it, but this one’s really about baseball’s best and brightest stepping up to the plate in Cobb County.
All-Star Week is more than one night. There’s the Home Run Derby, celebrity softball games, and fan fests — a full week of baseball mayhem.
It’s also a moment of redemption. The 2021 All-Star Game was yanked from Atlanta amid political controversy. This time, there’s no holding back.
Why Atlanta Is Going So Big This Summer
It’s not just about bragging rights. It’s about business, branding, and keeping the city in global conversations.
According to a 2024 report from Tourism Economics, Atlanta’s visitor spending rose 12% year-over-year, driven largely by events and conventions. The city’s aiming to keep that streak alive.
Charlene Lopez from the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau said it plainly: this is the summer to show the world what Atlanta can do.
There’s an energy in the air right now — part Southern pride, part international spotlight. Everyone seems to sense it.
