Your World Cup 2026 Guide (Ellijay Edition)
The FIFA World Cup 26 is coming to Atlanta, and you don’t have to fight for overpriced downtown hotel rooms to be part of history.
Fans attending matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium can stay in Ellijay and nearby North Georgia mountain towns, trading cramped city accommodations for spacious cabin rentals with hot tubs, mountain views, and plenty of space for your whole crew.
Ellijay sits about an hour by car from Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where all the action is kicking off. That’s a realistic game-day drive that puts you inside the stadium gates with time to spare for pre-match festivities. Enjoy world-class soccer in the city, then unwind under the stars in a quiet mountain cabin by night.
If this sounds like your idea of a dream World Cup experience, check out our range of Ellijay rentals to secure your perfect cabin.
This guide covers everything you need to know to experience the Atlanta World Cup when you make North Georgia your home base. We’ll break down the match schedule and travel logistics to help you build a mountain vacation around the biggest sporting event on the globe.
About the Atlanta World Cup 2026
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Photo Credit: Paparacy
Atlanta is one of 16 host cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the FIFA World Cup 2026. This expanded 48-team tournament marks a historic moment for soccer in the American South, and Georgia is ready to welcome the world.
All World Cup Atlanta matches will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a modern retractable-roof venue with a capacity of approximately 75,000. The stadium is home to Atlanta United FC of MLS and the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL. It has hosted U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Team matches, the Super Bowl, and the College Football Playoff, proving its capability to handle events of this magnitude.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host eight FIFA World Cup matches, including five group stage games, one Round of 32, one Round of 16, and one semifinal between mid-June and mid-July 2026.
With Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (the busiest airport in the world) just a short ride from downtown, international supporters will find access to the city remarkably easy.
When Are Atlanta's Eight FIFA World Cup Matchdays?
Photo Credit: adriaticfoto
Here are the dates of the eight matches Atlanta is hosting for the 2026 World Cup:
- Sunday, June 15, 2026 — 12:00 PM: Spain vs. Cabo Verde
- Thursday, June 18, 2026 — 12:00 PM: TBD vs. South Africa
- Sunday, June 21, 2026 — 12:00 PM: Spain vs. Saudi Arabia
- Wednesday, June 24, 2026 — 6:00 PM: Morocco vs. Haiti
- Saturday, June 27, 2026 — 7:30 PM: TBD vs. Uzbekistan
- Wednesday, July 1, 2026 — 12:00 PM: Round of 32
- Tuesday, July 7, 2026 — 12:00 PM: Round of 16
- Wednesday, July 15, 2026 — 3:00 PM: Semi-Final
Note: This schedule may be subject to change. Check the official FIFA website for final confirmation.
Official FIFA World Cup 2026 match tickets are sold exclusively through FIFA’s ticketing platforms and authorized partners. Avoid third-party resellers without official status. Scams spike around major tournaments, so only purchase through verified channels.
Match Days in the City, Vacation Nights in the Mountains
Ellijay is the closest North Georgia mountain town to Atlanta, some 80 to 90 miles away depending on the route you take.
The drive is about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, depending on traffic. It’s close enough to make any of the eight matches on the Atlanta schedule, but far enough that you’ll feel like you’re on a genuine vacation.
Imagine enjoying morning coffee on a cabin porch surrounded by forest, then an easy drive down the highway into Atlanta’s buzzing World Cup atmosphere. You'll join thousands of supporters from around the globe, soak in pre-match energy, and watch some of the world's best soccer players take the pitch.
After the final whistle, you skip the downtown hotel chaos and head back up to cool mountain air, a hot tub, and a firepit under the stars.
Atlanta’s busiest World Cup areas will be concentrated around downtown and the stadium, meaning hotel prices will spike and crowds will be intense. Staying outside the city lets you avoid that congestion while still being part of the event.
On non-match days, you can explore hiking trails, wineries, rivers, and small-town main streets throughout the region. When match day arrives, you simply drive down, experience the action, and return to your mountain retreat.
For those willing to drive a bit farther, two other North Georgia towns offer compelling alternatives.
Blue Ridge
- 90-105 miles from Mercedes-Benz Stadium (1 hour 45 to 2 hours)
- Known for its scenic railway, boutique downtown with shops and breweries, and access to Lake Blue Ridge
- Charming mountain town experience with plenty of food and culture to explore on non-match days.
Morganton
- 100 - 110 miles from Mercedes-Benz Stadium (2 to 2.5 hours)
- Even quieter, more secluded lakeside and mountain settings.
- Ideal for families or groups wanting extra privacy and plenty of space.
Getting to Atlanta World Cup Matches from Ellijay & North Georgia
Photo Credit: Paparacy
Driving is the most realistic travel option from Ellijay, Blue Ridge, and Morganton to downtown Atlanta. Most routes funnel onto GA-515, then I-575, and finally I-75 straight into the city.
Timing guidance:
- Weekday evening game: Leave 2.5–3 hours before kickoff
- Daytime weekend game: Leave 2–2.5 hours before kickoff
- High-demand knockout round: Leave 3+ hours before kickoff
These buffers account for traffic, parking, and stadium security. World Cup matches draw massive crowds, and the games in Atlanta could coincide with peak summer travel.
Fans can park in official Mercedes-Benz Stadium parking lots or downtown garages, then walk or use local transit and ride-share services to reach fan zones and the stadium.
For return drives after matches, consider grabbing a meal in Atlanta to let the peak exit traffic clear. The drive back to Ellijay is easy and scenic once you’re out of the city, and it's a great way to wind down after a lively game.
What to Do in Ellijay & North Georgia Between Matches
Photo Credit: James W. Thompson
Treat World Cup 2026 in Atlanta as the centerpiece of a full North Georgia vacation, not just a quick city visit. Activities within easy reach of your cabin include:
- Vineyard and winery tours to taste North Georgia wine
- Seasonal apple orchards and farmers markets
- River tubing and kayaking on the Cartecay River
- Downtown Ellijay shopping and antique collecting
- Visiting waterfalls like Fall Branch Falls or Amicalola Falls
- Exploring the forests to forage mushrooms
- Hiking to scenic overlooks and sections of the Appalachian Trail
- Lake Blue Ridge for boating, paddle sports, and swimming
Cabin-based downtime is just as valuable. Grill on the deck after a long match day. Soak in a hot tub while watching replays. Gather around outdoor firepits in the evenings to relive the day’s action with your travel crew.
Many cabins feature game rooms with pool tables and big-screen TVs, which is perfect for watching World Cup matches taking place in other host cities and countries in between Atlanta games.
Plan Your Atlanta FIFA World Cup 2026 Mountain Escape Today
Fans don’t have to choose between the excitement of Atlanta World Cup matches and the relaxation of a mountain vacation. Staying in Ellijay makes it possible to have both.
Experience the roar of 75,000 supporters at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, then return to the blissful quiet of a cabin porch in the North Georgia mountains.
Book your dream cabin Ellijay now and prepare for a truly unique 2026 World Cup experience.
Featured Image Credit: Igor Link