Atlanta Named Number One City in the U.S. for Sports Business 

May 19, 2026

Atlanta receives recognition as it prepares to host FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches

Sports Business Journal (SBJ) has named Atlanta the No. 1 city for sports business in its annual ranking, which assessed thousands of U.S. markets on business opportunity, economic conditions and sentiment from nearly 120 sports industry executives. Atlanta stood out for the depth of collaboration between its sports properties and corporate community – a culture of long-term partnership that SBJ identified as a defining strength of the market. 

The ranking comes at a defining moment for Atlanta’s sports landscape. On May 7, U.S. Soccer officially opened the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Fayetteville, marking the first permanent headquarters and national training facility in U.S. Soccer’s history. The 200-acre campus was made possible by a $50 million lead gift from Arthur M. Blank and represents the largest single investment in American soccer infrastructure ever made – a direct reflection of the soccer culture Atlanta has developed over the past decade. 

The recognition comes on the heels of a monumental 2025, when Atlanta played host to the College Football Playoff National Championship, 2025 MLB All-Star Game and six matches during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™. 

In less than one month, Atlanta will host eight matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, including a semifinal on July 15. Atlanta will become one of only two U.S. cities, alongside Los Angeles, to have hosted the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup.  

“This recognition from Sports Business Journal is really a reflection of the incredible collaboration that exists across Atlanta’s sports, business, civic and hospitality communities,” said Dan Corso, president, Atlanta Sports Council. “We’ve been fortunate to work alongside outstanding partners, sponsors, venues and stakeholders who all share a commitment to bringing world-class events to our city. Atlanta has built a strong reputation as a premier destination for major sporting events, and we’re excited about the momentum and opportunities still ahead.” 

“Sports organizations choose Atlanta for our unmatched accessibility, infrastructure and hospitality assets,” said William Pate, president and CEO, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB). “As home to the world’s busiest and most efficient airport, one of the nation’s largest hotel portfolios and state-of-the-art facilities, Atlanta delivers an experience that puts visitors, fans and event organizers just steps from the action.”  

Atlanta’s professional sports portfolio – the Falcons (NFL), Braves (MLB), Hawks (NBA), Dream (WNBA), Atlanta United FC (MLS), Atlanta Vibe (MLV), Georgia Swarm (NLL), LOVB Atlanta (LOVB Pro) and an NWSL expansion franchise arriving in 2028 – gives the market one of the deepest and most diverse sports ecosystems in the country. 

Atlanta’s status as the No. 1 city for sports business is further solidified by its unparalleled collection of award-winning venues, which include: 

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which has hosted Super Bowl LIII, SEC Championship Games, multiple College Football Playoff National Championships and MLS All-Star Game since opening in 2017.  

• Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta, which the SBJ called the “crown jewel of mixed-use developments,” welcomed more than 10 million visitors in 2025 and played host to the MLB All-Star Game in July. 

• State Farm Arena, which was named one of America’s best venues by Front Office Sports, has played host to the NBA All-Star Game and multiple rounds of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. 

The metro Atlanta region is also home to a number of Fortune 500 companies with significant sports business footprints, including The Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines and The Home Depot. Looking ahead, Atlanta is scheduled to host Super Bowl LXII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in February 2028 and the NCAA Men’s Final Four in 2031. The Atlanta Sports Council, a division of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, spearheads the region’s event attraction and hosting efforts across professional, collegiate and international sports.