Pro Sports in Atlanta this Summer: Here’s the Lineup

By Demetrius Bell
Posted June 1, 2022

The Atlanta sports scene heats up with baseball, soccer, tennis and much more as summer settles in. Check out this guide for our top picks this season.

Atlanta Braves

The defending World Series champions Atlanta Braves are in full swing with Ronald Acuña Jr., Max Fried, Austin Riley and new signing Matt Olson leading the way in their title defense. As usual, there are plenty of promotions to take advantage of while the Boys of Summer are in action. There will be a cap giveaway for the June 7 game against the Oakland Athletics, the Braves Country 5K on June 11, Dale Murphy Bobblehead Night on June 20 and Pride Night on June 22. Additionally, every Friday home game includes a post-game fireworks show. Following every Sunday home game, kids get to run the bases. Even if the defending champs are out of town, you can still tour Truist Park and see such hot spots as the Xfinity Rooftop, Hope & Will’s Sandlot and even the dugout.

Atlanta United FC

The Five Stripes will be in action throughout this summer at the modern marvel that is Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta United matches are usually a thrill a minute, as the raucous Atlanta United supporters get loud and proud to support the team. With United States Men’s National Team member Miles Robinson surely heading for the FIFA World Cup in November, now is the time to go see him in action before he represents the country in Qatar. Additionally, the stadium will surely be electric on June 17, which is when rivals Orlando City come to visit. Whether you’re taking advantage of single-game tickets or following the team from afar at various pub partners, you can’t go wrong with following Atlanta’s beloved soccer team.

Atlanta Dream

It’s time to run with the Dream again and there’s plenty of excitement in the air as the team gets ready to improve on what was built in the 2021 WNBA season. After acquiring the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft, bringing back Tiffany Hayes and Monique Billings and trading for Erica Wheeler, the Dream are looking to improve as they welcome the rest of the league into the friendly confines of Gateway Center Arena. This figures to be the best home schedule ever for the Dream, as superstars like Sabrina Ionescu, Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi will all be visiting to face off against our hometown Dream. In fact, Candace Parker and the defending WNBA champions Chicago Sky will be visiting on June 3. With such an action-packed home schedule, the Gateway Center Arena is another solid venue for high-quality basketball in the city of Atlanta.

Professional Fighters League

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) will host three events at Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta on June 17, 24 and July 1. The best Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters in the world will travel to Atlantic Station to compete in the second half of the regular season. PFL is the only MMA league where elite fighters from around the world compete in all three regular season, playoff and championship events.

Rugby ATL

Rugby ATL’s latest season is coming to a close, as they’ll be having their home regular season finale at Silverbacks Park on June 3 against the NOLA Gold from New Orleans. With Marko Janse Van Rensburg and Joaquin De La Vega Mendia leading the way, Rugby ATL will also be making a playoff run in their quest to finally win the Major League Rugby championship. With tickets going from $12 to $22 and finally to $32, Silverbacks Park is the prime spot to catch exciting rugby action here in Atlanta.

AJC Peachtree Road Race

The world-renowned Peachtree Road Race will be here on its customary date of July 4 before you know it. While the race itself takes place on Independence Day, there’s also the Peachtree Health & Fitness Expo that takes place July 2 and 3 at Georgia World Congress Center. If you’re bringing your kids, then this would be a perfect time to sign them up to the Kilometer Kids program run by the Atlanta Track Club if they’re interested in doing long-distance running of their own. The Peachtree Road Race is a true spectacle and the stuff of sporting legends in Atlanta. Whether you’re at the start in Buckhead or at the finish in Piedmont Park, it’s a local event that is a must-see for running enthusiasts.

TOUR Championship

The annual season closer and FedEx Cup Playoffs finale is once again set to be held at the TOUR Championship, Aug. 22-28 at historic East Lake Golf Club. As usual, the winner of the TOUR Championship walks away not only with the tournament championship but also the title of FedEx Cup champion and the $18 million that comes with the victory. Whether you’re buying a daily grounds ticket to walk the course as a spectator or upgrading to the Michelob ULTRA Athletic Club or Tailgate At The Turn, there’s plenty to do while the pros are swinging away. Additionally, the PGA Tour touts that it has the best Youth Policy in all of sports, as kids younger than 15 are able to get in free with an accompanying adult at the TOUR Championship. If you like golf and you want to share that enjoyment with the kids, then the FedEx Cup Playoffs finale is a hot spot for some high-level golf action.

Atlanta Open

The road to the U.S .Open in New York goes through the Atlanta Open in Atlantic Station, as the annual curtain-raiser of the U.S. Open Series returns to action from July 23 until July 31. Six-time Atlanta Open champion John Isner will return in an attempt to make it seven, while other stars like Taylor Fritz and Reilly Opelka are also confirmed to be competing. On top of that, Coco Gauff and Leylah Fernandez will compete in the Sunday Showdown women’s match to kick off the entire tournament. With weeklong packages for sale and shaded seats available, this is one of the most unique times of year to visit Atlantic Station. Atlantic Station has a ton to offer on top of the fact that you can get one of the best views of the Atlanta skyline while enjoying high-level tennis.

Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge

Atlanta is the Capital of College Football and that will be on display on Aug. 27 when Center Parc Stadium hosts the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge between the Howard University Bison and the Alabama State University Hornets. The actual game is just part of the ceremonies surrounding this Week Zero matchup. On Friday, the High School Seminar will be held where local high school students can rub shoulders with pillars of the sports and entertainment communities. Once game day rolls around, make sure you’re at the stadium early to experience the Coca-Cola Fan Experience. Once that’s done, the game itself will be sandwiched between two band performances – get to your seats early for the “zero quarter” band performance and stay after the game for the “fifth quarter” performance. That’s not to mention the halftime show, which always delivers when HBCU bands are involved. The Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge figures to be a fine exhibition of the best that HBCU football has to offer.

SEC Media Days

If you can’t wait for college football action, then the SEC Media Days should give you a taste of it during the summer. Atlanta will host the annual media gathering for four days between July 18 and 21 with coaches like Nick Saban, Kirby Smart, Brian Kelly and Lane Kiffin all present to give the lay of the land ahead of the upcoming season. The events will split venues between Chick Fil-A College Football Hall of Fame and The Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center. Fans are now welcome to show up to both venues after not being allowed last year as a safety precaution. Atlanta’s college football reputation is already extremely high, and all eyes will be on the city as the top college football conference coaches come together for one week in late July. 

Check here for more information about Atlanta Sports. Visit our calendar of events for all kinds of things to do in Atlanta.