The Commons at Castleberry Hill is stepping onto the pitch as Atlanta’s newest public fan zone for the 2026 World Cup, kicking off this Saturday with a free, family-friendly "Soccer Fest" that runs through July 19. Expect giant screens showing live matches, DJ sets, food trucks and laid-back lawn activities designed to pull in neighborhood families and local small businesses.
Where It Is And Who Built It
Soccer Fest will unfold on a newly built outdoor plaza along Nelson Street in Castleberry Hill, tucked between Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE). The plaza was developed by Russell New Urban Development, the real estate arm of H. J. Russell & Company, as reported by Atlanta Daily World. For background on the company’s history and other projects, see H. J. Russell & Company.
Schedule And Viewing Hours
The Commons plans to host Soccer Fest across 15 match days between this Saturday and July 19, with most sessions running roughly 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. On days with earlier kickoffs, gates are set to open at noon, and late-match dates could stretch programming to about 10 p.m. Approved World Cup games will play on a large LED screen, with DJs, family activities and lawn games filling in the downtime, according to Atlanta on the Cheap.
Vendors, Transit And Safety
Organizers say entry to Soccer Fest is free, with space for up to 150 local entrepreneurs and roughly 75 food-truck operators selling goods and food in a block-party setting. First aid and on-site security are slated to be in place, only service animals will be allowed, and visitors are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets while leaving umbrellas at home so they do not block sightlines, per Atlanta Daily World. With parking in the Castleberry Hill district limited, officials recommend MARTA, rideshare, walking or pedi-cabs to reach the site.
"The World Cup presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to welcome the world to Atlanta," Delilah Wynn-Brown said, while Zane Major described the Commons as a "hub for connection" during the tournament and afterward.
More Information
For a full calendar of match days and programming, organizers are directing fans to the Commons’ event hub at castleberrycommons.com. The Soccer Fest series is designed to keep World Cup excitement anchored in Castleberry Hill while channeling some of that global buzz into concrete economic opportunities for neighborhood vendors and entrepreneurs.
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