I’m not the biggest World Cup fan, so when the first general admission tickets went on sale earlier this year, it didn’t occur to me to check the prices for an individual match. World Cup tickets reportedly hit the market at a price seven times higher than expected, with one consumer telling Business Insider that
I’m not the biggest World Cup fan, so when the first general admission tickets went on sale earlier this year, it didn’t occur to me to check the prices for an individual match.
World Cup tickets reportedly hit the market at a price seven times higher than expected, with one consumer telling Business Insider that he spent more than $2,000 on a single ticket through FIFA’s resale portal. Unfortunately, even if I wanted to attend, my bank account was not prepared to withstand such behavior.
Luckily for me, in addition to the actual matches, FIFA launched 13 Fan Festivals in Canada, Mexico and the United States. I thought this would be my best option to join in the festivities.
I found it hard to ignore all the World Cup fanfare in Atlanta, my hometown.
It was equally hard to ignore the starting price to attend the FIFA Fan Festival in Atlanta: $0.
Guests still had to reserve free and paid tickets online.
The sold-out festival will be held at the Centennial Olympic Park, just around the corner from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where seven World Cup matches have already been played. Atlanta will host its final game on July 15.
With tickets ranging from free general admission to $325 VIP packages, the FIFA Fan Festival in Atlanta has attracted more than 450,000 visitors, according to organizers, making it one of the busiest events in the country along with the FIFA Fan Fest in Philadelphia and Miami.
After seeing the hype for myself, I had such a great time with the music, concerts, activations, free swag, and energetic crowd that I attended twice.
On my second visit to the FIFA Fan Festival in Atlanta on June 26, I asked attendees why they think it has always been one of the busiest Fan Festivals in the country.
Here are the guests who stood out from the crowd and what they shared.
Atlanta’s diversity is on display
Shanteria and Siera W., who chose not to share their last name for privacy reasons, cheered on Mexico, which lost to England in the second knockout round. Manseen Logan/BI
Twin sisters Shanteria and Siera W. told BI that World Cup tickets were out of their budget. They only spent $15 on drinks to stay hydrated at the Atlanta Fan Fest.
“Atlanta has just become more and more popular,” Shanteria said. “Atlanta is diverse. You can come from any culture, any background and just have fun.”
“Everyone comes from different places and we welcome everyone,” Siera added.
The crowd and the giant screen create a stadium-like atmosphere.
Daniel S. attended the FIFA Fan Fest in Atlanta as a guest and is also a volunteer. Manseen Logan/BI
Another fan of the Mexican national team, Daniel S., caught my attention with his small group of friends.
Daniel, who shared that he is also a volunteer at the FIFA Fan Fest in Atlanta, was enjoying the match between Spain and Uruguay on the giant 40-foot screen. Of all the ways to watch the World Cup, being among a crowd of up to 15,000 people with a few close friends is memorable and one of its highlights.
Atlanta knows how to host major sporting events
Torrence highlighted Atlanta’s sports atmosphere and the city’s beautiful skyline. Manseen Logan/BI
Torrence, a Chicago native who lives in Atlanta, said he didn’t bother looking for World Cup tickets.
He spent about $40 on drinks and enjoyed meeting his fraternity brother while attending the festivities. I was supporting Ivory Coast, who lost to Norway in the first knockout round.
“Atlanta is a good city, good atmosphere. Super Bowl, college football championship… they’re always doing something here,” Torrence said. “I’m with that. I’m here having a good time”
Visitors found it easy to get to the festival
Rebecca S. and Anna H of Johns Creek, Georgia, didn’t spend much to take the train to Atlanta. Manseen Logan/BI
Friends Rebecca and Anna took MARTA into the city to see Spain, who advanced to the semifinals.
The couple said they spent about $6 each after driving from Johns Creek, Georgia, to the nearest train station. They also didn’t bother looking for World Cup tickets because of the high prices.
Both ladies found the FIFA Fan Fest in Atlanta to be a fun and affordable way to experience the World Cup.
The FIFA Fan Festival in Atlanta celebrated more than the World Cup teams
Jordan McGlotten wore a Liberia jersey even though the country is not participating in the World Cup. Manseen Logan/BI
The festival was full of jerseys from countries that weren’t even competing in the World Cup. As a Liberian, I immediately saw a Liberian soccer jersey in the crowd and had to talk to Jordan McGlotten, whose family is also from the country.
McGlotten, who is from Virginia and lives in Atlanta, was on his third visit to the festival and said he spent about $80 in total.
“We have a little bit of everything,” McGlotten said. “It’s very diverse. We have many different nationalities. We have the trees, we have the horizon, we have everything.”
It also reminded me that US Soccer’s headquarters and national training center are just south of Atlanta, making it something of a soccer city.
Being at the festival was like being part of history.
Joi and Xavier celebrated Haiti’s historic appearance at the World Cup. Manseen Logan/BI
Joi and Xavier, a couple who cheer for Haiti, said the Atlanta FIFA Fan Festival had an incredible vibe.
This was the first time Haiti competed in the World Cup in 52 years. Talking to Haitian fans was like being part of the long-awaited comeback. Although Haiti was eliminated in the group stage, the FIFA Fan Festival in Atlanta was not just about fans cheering on their team. It was about culture, pride and unity.
After spending some time there, I can understand why the Atlanta FIFA Fan Festival has become one of the busiest in the country.