Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches this summer, the Atlanta City Council has approved designating parts of downtown as a temporary “Public Entertainment District” for fans.
Under the ordinance, solicitation, the distribution of free commercial products and vehicle cruising are prohibited in portions of downtown Atlanta and Castleberry Hill. A provision to allow fans to drink in public was scrapped right before the vote.
This would go into effect from June 11 to July 19.
Council members said this is a separate measure from the recently approved open container district.
Councilmember Antonio Lewis raised concerns about how the ordinance would impact Atlanta’s “water boys” and other young people who sell drinks like lemonade, leading him to vote against it.
“I know they aren’t going anywhere,” said Lewis. “They’re going to still be here all summer, and they’re going to still try to make some funds however ways they can, particularly if you’re a little too young to get the City of Atlanta summer youth employment job.”
