Atlanta

blue

Axios Atlanta Partners

Axios Atlanta Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Atlanta Alerts

Alert

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Atlanta with Kristal Dixon and Thomas Wheatley.

Axios Atlanta

Standard

Atlanta Members

Membership

The World Cup is here. Here's how to plan your commute around the games

A new commute guide estimates the best and worst times to travel Downtown on match days.

Travel

With about 300,000 people expected to visit Atlanta for the city&#x27;s eight World Cup matches, you&#x27;ll want to avoid the accompanying traffic in and around Downtown over the next month.Why it matters: Dodging Atlanta traffic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="is stressful" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/10/29/were-spending-more-time-stuck-in-traffic-in-atlanta" data-vars-content-id="772a249b-26c2-4c01-a7e8-c8fa2813c469" data-vars-headline="The World Cup is here. Here&#x27;s how to plan your commute around the games" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/10/29/were-spending-more-time-stuck-in-traffic-in-atlanta" target="_self">is stressful</a> on a normal day, and the World Cup will likely put even more strain on the region&#x27;s congested roads.

Where doulas are covered by Medicaid

More than half of U.S. states now reimburse for doula care under Medicaid.

Wellness Brief

More than half of U.S. states now reimburse for doula care under Medicaid — a dramatic shift from just a few years ago.By the numbers: 28 states and D.C. are actively reimbursing, according to the National Health Law Program. Before 2020, only Oregon and Minnesota did.

Atlanta's FIFA Fan Festival is open. Here's how to enjoy your experience

The FIFA Fan Festival in Atlanta includes places where you can grab food and drinks, listen to live entertainment and partake in activities.

Things to Do

Atlanta&#x27;s official gathering spot for FIFA World Cup 2026 opened Thursday, and thousands of people donning the jerseys of their favorite teams ventured to Centennial Olympic Park to kick off the opening ceremony.Why it matters: Thirty years ago, the city hosted the world at the same location where the 1996 Olympics were held in Atlanta. <ul><li>Now, Atlanta is among 16 cities across Canada, Mexico and the U.S. that are doing that exact same thing, Mayor Andre Dickens said.</li></ul>

Your guide to FIFA World Cup watch parties in metro Atlanta

You'll be hard-pressed to find an event that doesn't suit you over the next month.

The World Cup <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="has started" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026" data-vars-content-id="3bfb71f1-9d36-4dc1-ae3a-65e679f9da5b" data-vars-headline="Your guide to FIFA World Cup watch parties in metro Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026" target="_blank">has started</a>, and you&#x27;re probably thinking about gathering a few friends and checking out a watch party around town. Why it matters: This is a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="once-in-a-lifetime" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/06/10/atlanta-fifa-world-cup-readiness-marta" data-vars-content-id="3bfb71f1-9d36-4dc1-ae3a-65e679f9da5b" data-vars-headline="Your guide to FIFA World Cup watch parties in metro Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/06/10/atlanta-fifa-world-cup-readiness-marta" target="_self">once-in-a-lifetime</a> event for Atlanta, so don&#x27;t shy away from immersing yourself in the experience — and watching your favorite teams compete for the FIFA World Cup <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="trophy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/05/11/fifa-world-cup-trophy-tour-atlanta-mercedes-benz-stadium" data-vars-content-id="3bfb71f1-9d36-4dc1-ae3a-65e679f9da5b" data-vars-headline="Your guide to FIFA World Cup watch parties in metro Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/05/11/fifa-world-cup-trophy-tour-atlanta-mercedes-benz-stadium" target="_self">trophy</a>.

Weekend events: Pride festivals, World Cup watch parties

There's so much happening in Atlanta. Let us give you the rundown.

With the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FIFA World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/06/10/atlanta-fifa-world-cup-readiness-marta" data-vars-content-id="6fd492ee-7917-4777-aaa2-f0be19329ef2" data-vars-headline="Weekend events: Pride festivals, World Cup watch parties" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/06/10/atlanta-fifa-world-cup-readiness-marta" target="_self">FIFA World Cup</a> coming into town and other events on the books, there is no shortage of things to do this weekend.Here&#x27;s a quick rundown:⚽ Decatur WatchFest &#x27;26 kicks off today at 3pm with a free screening of the first World Cup match between Mexico and South Africa on the Square. (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Thurs." data-vars-click-url="https://decaturwatchfest26.com/event/m1/" data-vars-content-id="6fd492ee-7917-4777-aaa2-f0be19329ef2" data-vars-headline="Weekend events: Pride festivals, World Cup watch parties" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://decaturwatchfest26.com/event/m1/" target="_blank">Thurs.</a>)

Weekend events: Soccer ball juggling, butterflies, festivals

This is the final weekend to check out the third Atlanta Fringe Festival.

Don&#x27;t let the weekend pass without fanfare. Here are some events to fill that empty space on your calendar:🎤 Gillian Welch and David Rawlings headline the 10th Amplify Decatur Music Festival. (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Thurs.-Sun." data-vars-click-url="https://www.amplifydecatur.org/" data-vars-content-id="c3747ddc-88eb-49bd-a2f2-3de075833873" data-vars-headline="Weekend events: Soccer ball juggling, butterflies, festivals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.amplifydecatur.org/" target="_blank">Thurs.-Sun.</a>)

Atlanta to host food truck alley during World Cup games

Between 20 and 30 food trucks will be stationed along Walton Street between Centennial Olympic Park Drive and Broad Street on game days and a day before each match.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Food Truck Association of Georgia" data-vars-click-url="https://www.foodtruckassociationofgeorgia.com/" data-vars-content-id="3016d0d1-0955-43d8-8a6d-41178a22fdcc" data-vars-headline="Atlanta to host food truck alley during World Cup games" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.foodtruckassociationofgeorgia.com/" target="_blank">Food Truck Association of Georgia</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Showcase Atlanta" data-vars-click-url="https://showcaseatlanta.com/" data-vars-content-id="3016d0d1-0955-43d8-8a6d-41178a22fdcc" data-vars-headline="Atlanta to host food truck alley during World Cup games" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://showcaseatlanta.com/" target="_blank">Showcase Atlanta</a> is joining forces to bring dozens of food trucks to residents and visitors flocking to Downtown for the World Cup. The latest: The pedestrian food truck corridor called Global Grub Alley <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="is expected" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atlantaga.gov/Home/Components/News/News/15738/1338" data-vars-content-id="3016d0d1-0955-43d8-8a6d-41178a22fdcc" data-vars-headline="Atlanta to host food truck alley during World Cup games" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atlantaga.gov/Home/Components/News/News/15738/1338" target="_blank">is expected</a> to feature 20 to 30 food trucks along Walton Street between Centennial Olympic Park Drive and Broad Street.

Atlanta weekend planner: Symphony, Fringe Fest, baseball

Richard Wagner, Tchaikovsky, farmers markets and live comedy.

Knowing is half the battle when you&#x27;re fighting the war on boredom. Here are great events to get you out of the house.🎼 Atlanta Symphony Orchestra music director Nathalie Stutzmann conducts Tchaikovsky&#x27;s Pathétique. (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Thurs.-Sat." data-vars-click-url="https://www.aso.org/events/detail/stutzmann-conducts-tchaikovsky" data-vars-content-id="1d2e10e3-4fe2-417e-b12d-f8c03425ef96" data-vars-headline="Atlanta weekend planner: Symphony, Fringe Fest, baseball" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aso.org/events/detail/stutzmann-conducts-tchaikovsky" target="_blank">Thurs.-Sat.</a>)

Falling Water Park could be Atlanta's next fishing hole

Plans call for trails, boardwalks and fishing access near Campbellton Road and Therrell High.

An effort to turn a hidden forest and pond on the outer edge of southwest Atlanta into a new park is gaining momentum.Why it matters: The proposed Falling Water Park connects the community to 26.3 acres of deep woods and water a short walk from Campbellton Road.

Weekend events: Atlanta Jazz Festival, MomoCon, Brew at the Zoo

Memorial Day weekend will be packed with things to do around Atlanta.

It&#x27;s Memorial Day weekend in Atlanta, and there&#x27;s something to do for every cosplayer, beer lover and jazz fan in your life.Here are some events to add to your plans: 🧝 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MomoCon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.momocon.com/" data-vars-content-id="29901d5d-d8a8-4df2-9e1c-ff1bff962852" data-vars-headline="Weekend events: Atlanta Jazz Festival, MomoCon, Brew at the Zoo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.momocon.com/" target="_blank">MomoCon</a> is back for its 21st year at the Georgia World Congress Center.

Weekender: Atlanta Dream, EDM, short films and more

Baseball, film fests and live music await.

And just like that, the weekend arrived. Go have fun.📽️ Short films and the people who love them take over 7 Stages in Little Five Points for the 17th ATL Shorts Fest. (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Thurs.-Sat." data-vars-click-url="https://atlantashortsfest.com/" data-vars-content-id="7a506286-62f4-4c12-99b7-38aa16c98ffa" data-vars-headline="Weekender: Atlanta Dream, EDM, short films and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://atlantashortsfest.com/" target="_blank">Thurs.-Sat.</a>)

Make Memorial Day plans with rides, slides and savings

Build the perfect Memorial Day weekend at Six Flags Over Georgia and its seven-acre water park Hurricane Harbor Atlanta.

Partners

Spring is giving way to summer — and around Atlanta, Memorial Day weekend is the kickoff to hotter weather, longer days and cooling off the fun way.What you need to know: Six Flags Over Georgia is leaning into the season with expanded offerings and fresh ways to cool off, including daily operations and the official Hurricane Harbor season opening on May 22.<ul><li>Plus, the park&#x27;s Memorial Day Sale is live, offering up to 50% off tickets, passes and more that get you perks like free parking and access to some of the region&#x27;s best water parks.</li></ul>

Things to Do 🗓

Atlanta's FIFA Fan Festival is open. Here's how to enjoy your experience

Your guide to FIFA World Cup watch parties in metro Atlanta

Weekend events: Pride festivals, World Cup watch parties

Weekend events: Soccer ball juggling, butterflies, festivals

Atlanta to host food truck alley during World Cup games