The FIFA World Cup is coming — and we can’t wait to celebrate with you at Decatur WatchFest ’26! Before you head to the Square, here’s everything you need to know to make your visit(s) easy, safe, and fun.
Admission + Hours
34 days of FIFA World Cup 2026™ events are FREE!
Free Admission
No tickets are required for 60+ matches shown on three big screens on the Decatur Square and 31 days of live music. (Tickets are only required for three major event day concerts.)
Hours
Access and activities start one hour before listed events including the Atlanta United Skills Zone, Atlanta United Lounge powered by Georgia Power, YMCA/Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Mini Pitch, New Inclusive Playground, Misters, food and beverage vendors, waters stations, sponsorship activations, music and moments on screen.
The festival ends 30 minutes after the final match or concert each day.
Entry
Open entry is from Church Street, Ponce de Leon at East Court Square, and North McDonough at Trinity Place.
On major event days, the event area will be fenced. No ins and outs after entry. More info here.
Inside Watchspots
Additional matches will be shown in WatchSpots— pubs and restaurants around Decatur. Hours dependent on individual businesses.
Major Event Days
June 11 • June 25 • July 19
All events at Decatur Watchfest26 are free! The festival has three major event days featuring concerts requiring tickets.
These three concerts — Big Boi 6/11, The War And Treaty 6/25, Indigo Girls 7/19 — are sold out, fenced events with additional security measures to manage venue capacity. The venue will be cleared from previous matches before entry for these concerts begin. No ins and outs after initial entry.
Tickets
All festival events are free. Tickets are required for concerts on three major event days. All other days and events do not require tickets.
Box Office / Will Call
All tickets are digital. Please visit Eventbrite to secure your free tickets and have them saved in your wallet before you arrive in Decatur.
Bring your government-issued photo ID, and have your ticket confirmation and barcode downloaded to your phone wallet to expedite your time in line.
Have a digital ticket issue? Ticket Resolution at each entry location is open during event hours. Event times may vary so please check our website.
For any ticket questions or issues prior to the festival, please contact info@decaturwatchfest26.com directly with your inquiry.
Accessibility and Seating
This is a general admission, outdoor festival. General seating is not provided. VIP and Platinum viewing areas will have limited seating.
Decatur WatchFest ’26 is ADA accessible and ADA seating for one wheelchair plus a guest is accessible from North McDonough road and is at the rear of the VIP seating area in the front of the general admission viewing areas. ADA passes are available at the ADA resolution areas at the entry gates and inside the festival gates near the medical tent. You can request an ADA pass for yourself and one companion. The ADA dropoff/entry is at the North McDonough/Trinity entrance.
ADA Parking
ADA parking is at North McDonough at Trinity
Entry Gates
Festival entry gates for ticketed events:
- Church Street at Sycamore Street
- East Ponce de Leon Avenue at East Court Square
- North McDonough at East Trinity Place
- VIP gate: West Ponce de Leon at 1 West Court Square (pedestrian access only).
Bag Policy
Don’t get turned away at the gates. Bags must be no larger than 14″ x 11″ x 5″ on major event days. No exceptions. All bags are subject to search.
Allowed bags include:
- 14” x 11” x 5” max size allowed
- Clear bags of any size allowed (clear plastic, clear vinyl or clear PVC)
- Drawstring bag (limit 1 pocket)
- Small purse/small clutch bags
- Waist pack or fanny pack
- Empty hydration pack (limit 2 pockets)
Prohibited Items
Prohibited Items
Leave these things at home on major event days:
- Aerosol containers
- Metal water bottles
- Professional audio or video recording equipment including go pros
- Selfie sticks, go pros sticks or tripods
- Weapons of any kind (all events)
- Illegal substances (all events). Violators may be ejected and reported to law enforcement.
- Fireworks, explosives or combustible materials
- Mace or pepper spray
- Outside food or beverages, coolers or picnic baskets (with the exception of official open container cups). Water bottles must also be empty; however, water filling stations will be available.
- Any bag larger than 14″ x 11″ x 5″ (See our bag policy here.)
- Fabric bags (beach bag, back pack or any multi-pocket bag)
- Framed backpack
- Pets/animals (except service animals)
- Glass or metal containers
- Skateboards, scooters, bikes or personal motor vehicles
- Drones or aircrafts
- iPads or tablets
- Hammocks or slacklines
- Carts or wagons of any kind
- Chairs, lawn chairs or stools of any kind
- Blankets of any type larger than a beach towel
- Tents, canopies or umbrellas
- Large chains or spiked jewelry
- Laser pointers
- Unauthorized solicitation materials (handbills, flyers, samples)
- No illegal vending is permitted
- No unauthorized/unlicensed vendors allowed
Security Screening
On Decatur WatchFest ’26 major event days, all guests entering the major event area will go through airport-style security upon entry. Details here.
Getting Here
Decatur WatchFest events are on Decatur Square in the heart of downtown Decatur, Georgia. We strongly encourage guests to arrive early as our events open 1 hour prior to the first match or concert.
Parking is very limited, and rideshare service, MARTA, and biking are strongly encouraged especially ahead of major match days and concerts. Please follow all posted parking regulations.
Rideshare Drop-off/Pickup
Use these locations for easy access to or from the festival:
Take MARTA
The Decatur MARTA station is directly under the festival site. Exiting the train puts you at the festival entrance. Consider parking at the East Lake or Avondale MARTA stations, each just one stop from Decatur.
Use the app to plan your MARTA ride here.
Biking
Bike parking will be provided at the DeKalb Courthouse lawn. BYO Lock.
Parking
Use the new Decatur Parking app to find – and prepay for – parking. When parking in Decatur, please observe all parking signs to avoid a ticket, boot, or towing. Parking regulations are strictly enforced.
Driving Directions
Find your way to the entry gates here.
Security
All attendees at Decatur WatchFest ’26 major events will be subjected to an airport-style search upon entry. This may include magnetometer screening, wanding, physical pat-down, and bag search. (Read our bag policy here.)
If you prefer to be screened by security personnel of your same gender, please let security personnel know prior to the search process. Screening of children will always take place with the consent of a parent or guardian. If you have dangerous, illegal, or prohibited items, you will be denied entry. This is a big worldwide soccer reunion with thousands of your favorite cousins. Let’s take care of each other.
Decatur WatchFest ’26 reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone.
We have a zero tolerance policy for harassment. Please let our staff know if you feel harassed or threatened in any way.
We want every attendee to feel safe at Decatur WatchFest ’26. We will not tolerate any harassment based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, body size, appearance, age or national origin. If you feel like you’re being harassed, are the victim of nonconsensual touching, or otherwise feel unsafe, please report it to the nearest staff member.
Attendees under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Attendees assume risk of participation and attendance at the festival.
Weather
The festival will be held rain or shine. In case of severe weather, updates will be shared via social media.
Georgia summers are HOT. Dress comfortably and stay hydrated. On major event days umbrellas and chairs are not allowed within the venue, but hats, fans, beach towels/yoga mats, sunscreen and empty plastic water bottles are permitted.
Sensory Accommodation
Emory Healthcare/Kulture City sensory accommodation bags are available at the Info tent near the food food vendor area. These bags featuring headphones can be loaned out for those experiencing sensory challenges at Decatur WatchFest and returned at departure.
Food + Drinks
Decatur Square and the surrounding districts feature endless great food options. In addition, we will have various food vendors onsite that will vary throughout the festival.
Participating restaurants with the City of Decatur open container policy will allow you to bring a purchased beer into the square. Mich Ultra Bars will be set up in the venue in three locations for your convenience.
On major event days, outside food or beverages (with the exception of official open container cups), will be prohibited. Food trucks will be stationed inside the ticketed festival area for major event days.
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