Key points:
- A quarter-mile stretch of Walton Street in downtown Atlanta will shut down to cars and open up to food trucks for every FIFA World Cup 2026 match day.
- Global Grub Alley is a joint venture between Showcase Atlanta and the Food Truck Association of Georgia.
- Between 20 and 30 food trucks will operate from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. along the block between Centennial Olympic Park Drive and Broad Street.
A quarter-mile stretch of Walton Street in downtown Atlanta will shut down to cars and open up to food trucks for every FIFA World Cup 2026 match day, creating a free, walkable eating corridor one block from Centennial Olympic Park.
Global Grub Alley is a joint venture between Showcase Atlanta and the Food Truck Association of Georgia. Between 20 and 30 food trucks will operate from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. along the block between Centennial Olympic Park Drive and Broad Street.
Atlanta is hosting eight matches during the tournament, which means 16 days of Global Grub Alley once the day-before activations are counted. No ticket is required to attend.
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Why Walton Street
Centennial Olympic Park will serve as the official FIFA Fan Festival site from June 11 through July 15, with fans moving between the park and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Fans will pass through Global Grub Alley on their way to the stadium. Organizers are counting on that foot traffic to give participating food trucks exposure to people who will be, in some cases, visiting Atlanta for the first time.
“The World Cup is one of the largest sporting events the city has ever hosted,” said Kelsey Maynor, Director of Small Business Engagement for Showcase Atlanta. “You will not need a ticket to be a part of it.”
Showcase Atlanta framed Global Grub Alley as part of a longer strategy around the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Super Bowl, both scheduled to come through Atlanta. The goal, according to the organization, is to make sure local, small businesses see lasting benefits from these events, rather than watching the opportunity pass to larger food operators and restaurants.
Food truck selection
The Food Truck Association of Georgia (FTAG) will handle vendor selection, scheduling, and compliance. FTAG members get first priority on Global Grub Alley slots, but non-members and prospective members can also apply, while space allows. All food trucks must meet Georgia permitting requirements. Applications are now open, and the full lineup will be posted in the coming days.
Sherman Gartrell, who operates Wing Kingh Food Truck, is already among the vendors selected for Global Grub Alley. “This opportunity is bigger than just serving food,” he said in a press release. “It’s about bringing people together through great flavors, culture and hospitality.”
The 411
Global Grub Alley runs on Walton Street between Centennial Olympic Park Drive and Broad Street, with the block from Walton and Cone to Broad closed to vehicle traffic. Portable restrooms will be on site, and the area is accessible at street level throughout, with MARTA’s GWCC/CNN Center and Five Points stations within walking distance.
