Inside America’s Busiest Stadium: Exciting Preparations for the 2025 Club World Cup

Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta is buzzing with activity as it prepares for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This venue, primarily built for American football, is a top location for various events throughout the year, including concerts and college playoff games. Adam Fullerton, the stadium’s VP of Operations, believes it’s one of the busiest stadiums in the U.S.

Hosting major soccer events comes with challenges, particularly when fulfilling FIFA’s requirements. For instance, Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium is not participating in this summer’s Club World Cup to focus on necessary upgrades for 2026. Even the state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz Stadium must make some adjustments.

Between the concert-filled schedule and the upcoming World Cups, Fullerton notes that there’s hardly an “offseason.” However, they do have a small window in January to make improvements, including laying new infrastructure and replacing the turf right before the Atlanta United MLS season kicks off in February.

With the stadium often busy, maintaining the quality of the field becomes a concern. Past events, like the Copa America 2024, faced criticism when Argentina’s goalkeeper called the pitch “a disaster” due to last-minute grass installation. For the 2026 World Cup, FIFA will have exclusive use of the stadium from May, ensuring the grass has ample time to take root. In preparation, the stadium is installing new LED grow lights to support its growth.

Fullerton mentioned that for the Club World Cup in 2025, they will lay the grass after a Metallica concert, allowing it eleven days to settle. This approach hopes to avoid the issues faced during previous events.

Interestingly, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium isn’t your typical soccer venue. With both the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United calling it home, the locker room setup will look different. During the Club World Cup, teams will share an away locker room, while additional soundproofing ensures privacy during tactical discussions. Players access the pitch through a premium club area, creating a unique experience for fans.

Another challenge is displaying sponsor logos, as FIFA doesn’t allow Mercedes-Benz branding during the World Cup. Fullerton and his team are brainstorming creative solutions to adhere to this rule while keeping the stadium’s aesthetic intact.

The stadium also boasts a unique “halo” of screens above the field. Heather Sautter, from AMB Sports and Entertainment, emphasizes the importance of coordinating the visuals for the various events. FIFA is keen to explore how to utilize these screens to enhance the fan experience during the World Cup.

In 2025, Atlanta will host several exciting matches, including Chelsea vs. Club Leon and Inter Miami vs. FC Porto, along with three knockout games at the Club World Cup. Additionally, the stadium is set to hold seven matches for the 2026 World Cup. Atlanta’s vibrant sports scene is ready to shine on a global stage.