Sports in Atlanta this August: Guide to Games and Sporting Events

By Demetrius Bell

Published August 7, 2026

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From the roar of the crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to buzzer-beaters, goals and hard-hitting action, August is a great month to be a sports fan in Atlanta. Whether you’re cheering on the Falcons, Atlanta United, the Dream or discovering something new like roller derby or HBCU football, there’s no shortage of exciting games and sporting events to experience. Here’s your guide to the best sports in Atlanta this month.

Atlanta Falcons

Football season is getting closer and closer, and the Atlanta Falcons (with new Head Coach Kevin Stefanski) are getting ready to be fully prepared for another season of NFL action. August is all about the preseason, and on August 14, Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be the place to be. The Falcons will host the Denver Broncos, and while the game may not count, it’s still fun to go see the foundation being laid for the upcoming season. Plus, it’s a great excuse to go to the world-class Mercedes-Benz Stadium and enjoy the fan-friendly concessions and some of the best amenities in not just the U.S. sports scene but in the world as well.

Atlanta United

Do you miss the World Cup? Are you thirsty for some more soccer action? Fortunately for you, Atlanta United FC will take it from here as their first home game following Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s hosting stint in the World Cup will take place on August 15 against the New York Red Bulls. From there, Miguel Almiron and the rest of the Five Stripes will have two more home games this month. The next home game will be on August 23 against Sporting Kansas City, and then their rivals from up Interstate-85 will visit on August 29 as Charlotte FC will challenge Atlanta. Come on and support the local club in one of the best stadiums and atmospheres that MLS has to offer.

Atlanta Dream

Angel Reese, Alisha Gray and Rhyne Howard are helping to push the Atlanta Dream towards the WNBA Playoffs, and there are still plenty of chances to see one of the WNBA’s most exciting teams run up and down the court. State Farm Arena will play host to Barbie Game Day on August 3 against the Aces, and then they’ll take on Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever in downtown Atlanta on August 16.

All other home games will be played at the Gateway Center Arena in College Park, near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The tickets for Dream games at the Gateway Center Arena are extremely hot items, so you’ll definitely want to jump on the following dates if you want to see the action. August 5 against the Phoenix Mercury will be Sneakerhead Night, Marina Mabrey and the Toronto Tempo will be coming to town on August 10, the expansion Portland Fire will visit on August 28, and then the Dream will host Olivia Miles and the Minnesota Lynx on August 30.

Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kick-Off

While College Football traditionally starts on Labor Day weekend, the season actually officially begins with Week 0 during the final weekend of August. The biggest primetime event of each college football season is actually the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, which annually takes place here in Atlanta at the Center Parc Stadium on the campus of Georgia State. This year’s edition will see the MEAC’s Howard Bison (led by Head Coach Tim White) taking on Sam Shade’s Alabama A&M, who are representing the SWAC.

There will be plenty of events surrounding the game, such as the Alabama A&M Pep Rally on Thursday, August 27 at the Westside Motor Lounge, HBCU Night at Truist Park on Friday, August 28 and the Coca-Cola Fan Experience outside of the stadium on Saturday right before the game. Make sure to stay in your seats after the game for the “Fifth Quarter,” which is when both bands will keep on playing loud and proud to end the night’s action. 

Atlanta Roller Derby

The rough-and-tumble action of Atlanta Roller Derby has a new home in the Atlanta Metro Area. ARD’s new home is now the Golden Glide Skating Rink on Wesley Chapel Road in Decatur. The first big event at Golden Glide will take place on August 22, with the usual doubleheader starting at 5:00 p.m. for the first showdown, and 7:30 p.m. for the second match. Afterward, there will actually be a 21+ Adult Skate Party starting at 10:00 p.m., so if you enjoy skating, then Golden Glide will be the place to be to support Atlanta Roller Derby and get in on the fun yourself.

Check out all the summer sporting events happening in Atlanta.

Demetrius Bell is an Atlanta-based writer who focuses on the Atlanta Braves and sports in general in the Atlanta metro area. He is the Managing Editor of SB Nation’s Battery Power, which covers the Braves on a daily basis. His work can be found in Baseball Prospectus, Forbes.com, YardBarker.com and SB Nation.