The newly renovated Square in Decatur plans to host a ribbon-cutting on June 5, with several concerts planned before and during the tournament period.
(Courtesy of VisitDecaturGA)
Metro Atlanta hotels are seeing lower-than-expected demand as bookings have not lived up to the World Cup hype.
Visitors looking to book a place to stay in Decatur during the World Cup should have little to no issues finding available spaces.
According to experts, hotel and Airbnb bookings have not filled up as anticipated.
“I’m sure there was a period when they realized the bookings weren’t coming in on the internal side, that they were disappointed. I mean, you know you anticipate a good year, you budget for it, you plan for it, and if it doesn’t come through, I’m sure that it’s disappointing,” said Sherry Jackman, the executive director for the City of Decatur Tourism Bureau.
She said many Decatur hotels have remained positive and pivoted to lowering prices. Bookings are picking up from other groups of people who want to be in Atlanta during the World Cup.
“On June 11, which is the Thursday, we have Big Boi coming to kick off the Decatur Watch Fest 26. We’re excited, and we’ll be showing games. We’ll be celebrating and listening to great music. It’s gonna be a really great, great time,” said Jackman.
The renovated Square in Decatur plans to host a ribbon-cutting on June 5, with several concerts planned before and during the tournament period.
“The Stews” and “DJ EU” highlight a lineup of talented musical acts in the Decatur WatchFest ’26 concert schedule. All the Decatur WatchFest concerts are free, but Big Boi, The War And Treaty, and Indigo Girls do require tickets. The rest of the concerts are free and don’t require tickets.
On June 11, Big Boi will kick off the Decatur Watch Fest 26. (Courtesy of VisitDecaturGA)
Jackman said that while booking demand has been slower than anticipated, it’s expected to pick up as the World Cup begins and even after some games have been played, benefiting the local economy.
According to an Economic Impact Report by Thomas Smith, a professor of finance and an economist at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, the World Cup is expected to generate up to $142 million in economic impact for the City of Decatur. Over 1,100 jobs will come with that.
“We were pleasantly surprised at the possibility of what the impact can be. Locally, as far as additional jobs, I know our restaurants and shops are preparing for that. They’re bringing in extra people, longer shifts,” said Jackman.
The research shows Decatur could draw close to 10,000 visitors each day, with 70% from the U.S. and 30% international tourists.
