Key points:
- U.S. Soccer’s new training center in Fayette County hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 7.
- Decatur WatchFest added 14 local artists to the free concert series in June and July.
- The Interlock and Holiday Bar will launch Culture Haus, a collaborative fan experience, starting in June.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup matches in Atlanta are less than 40 days away. That means cities across metro Atlanta are putting the final touches on major construction projects and gearing up to host soccer fan events, like Decatur WatchFest and its series of free concerts.
Catch up on the latest Atlanta World Cup news below.
All 2026 FIFA World Cup coverage from Rough Draft
Arthur M. Blank Training Center opens
The Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center opened on May 7 in Fayette County with a ribbon cutting.
Speakers at the opening event included U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson, USNWT coach Emma Hayes, U.S. Soccer Federation President Cindy Parlow Cone, the Coca-Cola Company’s Bea Perez, Chick-fil-A chairman Dan T. Cathy, and the center’s namesake, Arthur M. Blank.
“The rest of the world will look at the U.S. in profound ways,” Hayes said during the ribbon cutting.
Related story:
• In May, metro Atlanta becomes the new home of U.S. Soccer
The massive facility, which sits on 200 acres and includes two indoor playing surfaces and 17 outdoor playing surfaces, a high-performance gym, and 20 locker rooms, will house all 27 U.S. National teams and serve as the practice base for teams participating in World Cup matches next month. Perhaps more importantly, the facility will offer coaching education and a support system for youth soccer, nurturing and elevating soccer for generations to come.
“I can’t help but think what something of this magnitude would’ve meant when I was coming through the system,” said U.S. Soccer Assistant Sporting Director and former USMNT player Oguchi Onyewu.
Decatur Watchfest announces expanded concert lineup
Organizers behind soccer fan event Decatur Watchfest shared additional information about its free concert series in June and July. Unlike the Big Boi, Indigo Girls, and The War And Treaty concerts, shows part of the expanded concert lineup do not require tickets.
Check out the expanded concert list below:
- June 14 — The Dammages
- June 13 and 16 — DJ EU
- June 15 — The Stews
- June 17 — Vox Brittania
- June 19 — John Boy & Surround Sound
- June 20 — Rouzbeh
- June 21 — LJB
- June 27 — La Choloteca, featuring La Superiorrr
- June 28 — Wolves, Lower
- June 30 — Her Majesty’s Request
- July 1 — Buffalo
- July 4 — GClef and The Playlist
- July 5 — The Reebs
- July 2 and July 6 — DJ EU
- July 9 — Polly Holliday
Decatur WatchFest will release additional acts closer to the World Cup. For concert details, visit the DecaturFest website.
Holiday Bar and The Interlock announce Culture Haus
The Interlock and Holiday Bar are launching Culture Haus, a 30-day soccer fan activation event that starts in June 11 and runs through July 19.
Culture Haus will feature more than 100 events including watch parties, live music, and interactive fan experiences.
“Soccer has a unique ability to bring different cultures together, and that’s what Culture Haus is all about,” said Adriana Bibbs, Community Manager at AH Realty Trust. “We’re creating a space where fans can show up for the matches, but stay for the broader experience centered around wellness, music and community.”
