As Atlanta prepares to welcome the world for the World Cup, residents won’t need a match ticket to join the excitement.
The Old Fourth Ward (O4W) Neighborhood Association will host the O4W Soccer Kickoff Festival June 11-13, transforming Historic Fourth Ward Park and surrounding neighborhood destinations into gathering spaces where residents, visitors and soccer fans can celebrate the opening of the world’s largest sporting event together.
All O4W Kickoff Festival events are free and open to the public. The festival is designed to showcase the Old Fourth Ward while creating opportunities for Atlantans to participate in the World Cup experience regardless of whether they are attending matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“The World Cup shouldn’t be something Atlantans only watch on TV; it should be something they can walk to,” Lamar Stewart, interim executive director of Showcase Atlanta, said in a statement. “Whether you have a ticket to a match or not, there will be a place for you to show up, celebrate and feel like this moment belongs to you.”
The celebration begins Thursday, June 11, with the O4W Bar Crawl, which starts at 5 p.m. along the Eastside Beltline and Edgewood Avenue. The event will highlight local restaurants and bars throughout the neighborhood, with participating establishments offering specialty food, drinks and experiences inspired by countries participating in the World Cup.
Additional information about participating locations can be found on the O4W Instagram.
The festival’s largest event takes place Friday, June 12, at Historic Fourth Ward Park, located at 680 Dallas St. NE.
The USA vs. Paraguay Viewing Party will allow fans to watch the United States’ opening World Cup match on large outdoor screens while gathering with fellow supporters in the heart of the neighborhood. The park will open at 4 p.m., followed by Francisco Vidal Band at 4:30 p.m., DJ EU will perform at 6 p.m., and the match livestream will begin at 8:30 p.m for the match starting at 9 p.m. Local food vendors will also be on-site throughout the evening.
Organizers hope the watch party will create a shared experience for residents and visitors while introducing guests to the neighborhood’s restaurants, businesses and public spaces.
“As the third largest neighborhood in Atlanta, the Old Fourth Ward wants to welcome Atlantans and the world to this historic event,” Tom Boyle, president of the Old Fourth Ward Neighborhood Association, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to welcome everyone in Atlanta and beyond to our backyard and showcase the unique spirit of community that makes this neighborhood one of Atlanta’s most iconic neighborhoods.”
The festival concludes Saturday, June 13, with a Kids Soccer Event at Historic Fourth Ward Park that will serve as the official launch of the new O4W Youth Soccer Program.
The event will feature pickup games, soccer skills activities and opportunities for children ages 5-13 to participate in the sport. According to organizers, the initiative is intended to expand access to youth athletics while creating a long-term World Cup legacy for the neighborhood, particularly for underserved children in the Old Fourth Ward.
“This program is about more than just finding the next star athlete; it’s about neighbors taking care of neighbors,” Dean Morris, head of community care for the Old Fourth Ward Neighborhood Association, said in a statement. “By creating a space where our children can play together, we are strengthening the social fabric of the Old Fourth Ward and ensuring every child in our community feels a sense of belonging and support.”
The youth soccer initiative received support from Wellstar Health System and Inter Atlanta FC, whose leaders said the program will help promote health, teamwork and community engagement among local children. Free tickets are available here.
As Atlanta prepares for its moment on the global stage, organizers hope the festival will demonstrate that the World Cup experience extends beyond stadium walls and into the neighborhoods where community connections are built every day.
