A busy MARTA station is getting a new name just in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches next summer. The Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center station in Downtown will be renamed SEC – Sports Entertainment and Convention District station.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the MARTA Board of Directors approved the change Thursday, citing the outdated name as a source of confusion for visitors — a concern heightened by the 300,000 fans expected to attend World Cup matches at nearby Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Board member Thomas Worthy said the decision was expedited due to the urgency of the upcoming event. “This is kind of an emergency, ‘take action before we run out of time’ situation,” the AJC reported.
The renaming bypassed the usual public input process, with support from major local organizations including the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the Atlanta Sports Council, and teams like the Falcons, Hawks, and United. Chamber officials called it a “practical move” to improve wayfinding for visitors.
FIFA has asked that new signage and maps reflecting the name be completed at least six months before the tournament. While the cost is not yet known, MARTA hopes to secure private funding to cover expenses, according to the AJC.
The Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center station name has been outdated since the Georgia Dome stadium was demolished in 2017, Philips Arena was renamed State Farm Arena in 2018, and CNN Center departed for Midtown in 2023.
