Atlanta 2026 World Cup matches projected to generate more than $500M from out-of-state visitors

The eight World Cup matches scheduled to be played in Atlanta in 2026 are projected to have an economic impact of $503.2 million from just out-of-state visitors, according to a study produced by Jerry D. Parrish for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

The study acknowledges there still are numerous uncertain factors, so Parrish, who is the chief economist for the chamber of commerce, described the projected economic-impact factor as conservative. The report didn’t include government and local spending.

Atlanta and Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host five matches in the group stages, one in in the Round of 32, one in the Round of 16, and a semifinal. The matches will be played in June.

Important numbers within the economic-impact study are a capacity of 73,019 for the stadium with an estimated average of 65,000 spectators per match, for a total of 520,000 for the eight matches. The study estimates that from those 520,000, 300,000 will be unique visitors, with an estimated average of 225,000 coming from out-of-state.

Using hotel rates from the second quarter of 2023 as a comparable timeframe and rate, the report estimates each visitor will spend an average of $1,070 more than they would have spent without the matches scheduled to be played. That includes $670 on a hotel, $260 on food and drinks, $90 on merchandise and $50 on entertainment. The report estimates corporate spending of $20 million. The totals don’t include money spent on transportation into Atlanta.

ExploreWorld Cup games in Atlanta are less than two years away

The report projects the economic impact for out-of-state visitors to be between $461.2 million and as much as $543.4 million. After running the simulation 10,000 times, the most likely outcome is $503.2 million.

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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule

Feb. 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0

March 9 Atlanta United 4, New England 1

March 17 Atlanta United 2, Orlando 0

March 23 Toronto 2, Atlanta United 0

March 31 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 0

April 6 Atlanta United 1, NYCFC 1

April 14 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 2

April 20 Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 1

April 27 Atlanta United 1, Chicago 1

May 4 Minnesota 2, Atlanta United 1

May 7 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte Independence 0 in U.S. Open Cup