Update: On Friday afternoon, organizers said that “Admission is free and open to everyone. No ticket, RSVP confirmation, or QR code is required for entry.” Here’s the latest announcement.
Our original story follows:
On Sunday, July 19, Showcase Atlanta and ONE Musicfest will host “A Celebration of Soccer and Sound” at Piedmont Park.
Atlanta’s last 2026 World Cup event takes place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will include a screening of the final match between Spain and Argentina at 3 p.m. It will also feature live performances from Ludacris and The Boykinz, along with DJ sets throughout the day, a kids’ zone, food village, and vendor market.
The July 19 soccer-focused event could draw tens of thousands of people to Piedmont Park, which has some Midtown residents raising concerns about safety and overcrowding.
Fresh on the minds of locals and city officials is the 404 Day celebration that took place at the park in April, where thousands gathered. A shooting in the park that evening wounded a 15-year-old girl and led to the death of 16-year-old Tianah Robinson.
An investigation by the Atlanta Police Department (APD) concluded that the shooting was unrelated to the 404 Day Festival and stemmed from an unpermitted gathering near the far west end of the park.
The FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park welcomed more than 500,000 people over 19 days, hitting capacity several times during the World Cup tournament. Sunday’s World Cup event at Piedmont Park could see close to 50,000 people.
As the July 19 event neared this week, a lack of transparency from city officials and event organizers regarding safety protocols and crowd control at the Celebration of Soccer and Sound event spawned numerous posts on social media.
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One concern surrounds the Google RSVP form. Registered participants say they have not yet seen any announcements or received confirmation or tickets for the event. While the Celebration of Soccer and Sound is free to attend, registration is required to enter.
Many Midtown residents also mistakenly assumed that the July 19 World Cup final match screening and concerts were part of the FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park. The Celebration of Soccer and Sound event is not affiliated with the FIFA Fan Festival, which concluded on July 15.
The Morningside Lenox Park Association has released several public safety bulletins concerning the July 19 World Cup event at Piedmont Park. According to the bulletins, residents can expect a closure of Tenth Street between Monroe Drive and Piedmont Avenue, temporary parking restrictions on residential streets, and a highly visible APD presence in and around the park on Sunday.
“MNA has been working with event organizers and city partners to confirm details for Sunday’s FIFA celebration in Piedmont Park” said a representative from the Midtown Neighbors’ Association. “The event is comparable to other large scale events that we review throughout the year. As always, we remain focused on ensuring community impact, neighborhood access, and public safety are at the forefront of planning so that we can all enjoy a safe and successful event for both our community and visitors.”
The Celebration of Soccer and Sound kicks off at 11 a.m. Organizers advise registered attendees to arrive early. According to Showcase Atlanta, the World Cup final screening begins at 3 p.m., with headliner Ludacris taking the main stage around 6 p.m.
