60+ World Cup Matches Will Air on the Decatur Square, 34 Free Concerts Scheduled Featuring National and Local Bands, Plus Additional Soccer-Focused Activations
The FIFA World Cup ‘26 is here and Decatur WatchFest ‘26 was primed and ready to welcome the world. The city created a huge festival of matches, concerts, and other activations. Over the 34 days of FIFA World Cup ‘26™, Decatur WatchFest will showcase more than 60 matches on three giant screens on the Decatur Square, 34 free concerts featuring national and local music, and a range of other experiential activations.
FIFA World Cup 2026™ runs from June 11, 2026 through July 19, 2026, with eight matches taking place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Easily accessible by MARTA connecting Decatur to Downtown Atlanta, Decatur will join greater Atlanta to celebrate the arrival of world class soccer to Atlanta.
“The City of Decatur, the Decatur Visitors Center and the Decatur Development Authority are backing Decatur WatchFest ‘29 to raise visibility for the City of Decatur,” says Decatur City Manager, Andrea Arnold. “Decatur WatchFest will unite folks from the region, create a springboard following the significant renovation of the Square and create a lasting economic impact for the City of Decatur.”
Come to Decatur to Watch World Cup Matches
More than 60 World Cup matches will be shown on three big screens on the Decatur Square between June 11 and July 19, 2026. No tickets or registration are required for these matches.
While all 104 matches will be shown in Decatur WatchSpot Pubs and Restaurants, here are the 60+ matches that will be shown on the square: https://decaturwatchfest26.com/schedule/. At least one match per day will be shown on the Square including all US Men’s National Team (USMNT) matches in the group stage and beyond.
Highlights (Go to Decatur WatchFest for full schedule of matches being shown on the Square)
- June 11 (first match) – Mexico v. South Africa, 3 pm
- June 12 – USA v Paraguay, 9 pm
- June 13 – Brazil v Morocco, 6 pm
- June 16 – France v Senegal, 3 pm and Argentina v Algeria, 9 pm
- June 17 – England v Croatia, 4 pm
- June 19 – USA v Australia, 3 pm
- June 24 – Canada v Switzerland, 3 pm
- June 25 – USA v Turkey, 10 pm
- June 26 – France v Norway, 3 pm, Spain v Uruguay, 8 pm
- June 27 – Portugal v Colombia, 7:30 pm, Argentina v Jordan, 10 pm
- Round of 32 matches
- Round of 16 matches
- Quarterfinals
- Semifinals
- 3rd place match
- July 19 – World Cup Final, 3 pm
Come to Decatur to Watch Concerts Every Day of World Cup in Atlanta
Decatur WatchFest ’26 is more than a great place to watch world class soccer. It’s also where fans from Decatur, greater Atlanta, and around the world can come to watch concerts and enjoy Decatur’s best food and beverages.
Decatur WatchFest ‘26 will have a concert every day of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
- Three concerts will be ticketed, featuring Big Boi, The War And Treaty, and Indigo Girls. The Big Boi and Indigo Girls concerts are sold out but there are tickets remaining for The War And Treaty.
- Thirty-one additional concerts will be free and require NO tickets
- A full concert calendar listing can be found here
Match and concert schedules are on Decatur WatchFest ‘26’s website and its social media pages including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
Special Activations
- adidas and Sole Play will unveil “Press Play,” a new limited-edition off-field soccer-inspired sneaker designed to inspire creators, dreamers, and future innovators to take the first step toward their goals. Created by the Sole Play team in partnership with adidas, the shoe highlights the storytelling, purpose, and intentionality behind product creation while embracing a core message: success begins with action, and failure is a necessary part of the journey. Fans can also experience interactive gaming at the adidas/Sole Play activation.
- Anheuser Busch will be featured at all bars, with recyclable aluminum commemorative cups both at the bars, and throughout Decatur through the City’s local restaurant open container program.
- The Atlanta United Skills Zone will give kids a place to play, learn, meet players and more! When kids watch the game, they want to play the game and dream big.
- The Atlanta United Lounge powered by Georgia Power helps guests chill out. With swag, sofas, and misters to lower the temps, crowds will be able to hang out in a literally cool space.
- Brock USA, Great American Green, and Tailor-Made Grass are joining forces to bring high-performance turf systems to the Atlanta United Skills Zone and the YMCA of Metro Atlanta/Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta mini pitch. The projects will feature custom turf, Brock’s advanced shock pad technology for added cushioning and impact attenuation, and an innovative natural fiber infill made in Georgia that helps reduce surface temperatures while enhancing player comfort and performance. To celebrate, a sweepstakes will give one lucky winner a free backyard mini pitch!
- The Canada and Switzerland Consulates are joining to celebrate their mutual match day on June 24. Remarks from both Consuls General will be made from the stage in the spirit of unity and sportsmanship and they will welcome fans to their individual tents for giveaways.
- The Carter Center is providing videos and trivia for our big screens that spotlight its work to promote peace and health around the world, including in a number of World Cup countries. On June 25, Board Chair Jason Carter will welcome to the stage The War And Treaty — who brought down the house at President Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday concert.
- Decatur Dermatology will be extolling the benefits of sun protection and skin care. They are also celebrating the grand opening of their location just off of Decatur Square.
- Emory Healthcare will be helping to sponsor Decatur’s Kulture City sensory accessibility accommodations so the one in four people with sensory challenges can enjoy the sights and sounds of the festival.
- The VIP Hospitality Tent and Seating presented by Classic Tents & Events will be climate controlled with an open bar and will host special guests with a premium experience.
- US Soccer is providing activation for US Insiders at key events and outfitting performers for key matches. Look for giveaways at the US match on June 25.
- The YMCA of Metro Atlanta and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta will host a custom mini-pitch for a unique soccer playing experience for all attendees. The Y will also be celebrating its Decatur Family YMCA as the birthplace of organized youth soccer in the U.S. (in 1967).
We offer special thanks to ALL of our partners for their continued support of Decatur WatchFest including HDR and Resurgens Technology.
Economic Impact
The World Cup will have an economic impact of up to $142 million for the City of Decatur, according to an Economic Impact Report released from the city. The research was conducted by Thomas Smith, Ph.D., professor of finance and economist with the Goizueta Business School at Emory University.
By the Numbers
- Impact: The economic impact is forecast to be as high as $142.5 million
- Visitors: The research shows Decatur could draw up to 10,000 visitors to the city each day
- Tourist Spend: International and domestic tourists are expected to spend almost $500 per day at restaurants and other local attractions (this does not include additional spending on airfare, accommodations, and match tickets)
- Hotels/Short-Term Rentals: The average cost per night of hotel rooms will increase to $500 and the average cost of a short-term rental will increase to $400
- Retail: Visitors will spend an average of $110 per day on shopping at Decatur retail locations
- Fine Dining: Up to $28.1 million in direct spending, $2 million in wages
- Casual Dining: Up to $12 million in direct spending, $848,000 in wages
Decatur WatchFest ‘26 is a partnership of the City of Decatur, the Decatur Downtown Development Authority, and the Decatur Tourism Bureau.
