With fewer than 160 days until the first kickoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta is preparing to welcome soccer fans from across the world for eight FIFA World Cup 2026 matches scheduled between mid-June and mid-July.
As the city gears up for this massive international event, MARTA officials are assuring residents and visitors that the transit system will be fully prepared to handle the surge in riders heading to and from the stadium.
MARTA’s FIFA Focus: Safety, Cleanliness & Accessibility
MARTA Interim General Manager and CEO Jonathan Hunt addressed state lawmakers at the Georgia State Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 7, emphasizing the agency’s comprehensive planning efforts.
“Is MARTA going to be World Cup ready? Our resounding answer is yes,” Hunt declared, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.
Key priorities include enhanced operational reliability, improved security, and better passenger flow. On game days with high expected demand, MARTA plans to run additional trains and increase service frequency to accommodate crowds.
Safety remains a top focus, with Hunt highlighting significant progress: violent crime on the system has decreased by 50% over the past six years, and overall crime dropped 28% last year
To bolster security during the tournament, MARTA has recruited more police officers and will bring in support from other national transit agencies.
“We’re focused on cleanliness. We’re focused on delivering a safe, clean, reliable service to the region for the World Cup,” Hunt said. “We’ve deployed a lot of resources and have a very large World Cup planning initiative underway.”
As the city preps for the matches overall, looking ahead, MARTA is set to roll out several upgrades before the matches begin, including new rail cars, an improved payment system, and a new bus rapid transit line.
These improvements aim to provide a seamless experience for global visitors while delivering lasting benefits for daily commuters and boosting overall ridership.
Hunt acknowledged that some short-term disruptions may occur during these enhancements but stressed the long-term payoff: “We’re not satisfied with a good transit system here in the state. So, we’re going to go from good to great.”
As Atlanta steps onto the world stage, MARTA’s preparations underscore the city’s commitment to hosting a smooth and memorable World Cup experience for everyone.
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