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Decatur WatchFest ’26 Brings 140,000 Visitors through July 8: Semi Finals, Finals, and Indigo Girls Up Next
Link to Photos/Graphics
Link to Full Music Schedule
DECATUR, July 8, 2026 – 140,000 visitors have come to Decatur Square over the past month to celebrate all things soccer at DecaturWatchFest ‘26, far exceeding the City’s expectations. From July 14 to 19, Decatur WatchFest ‘26 will show the World Cup semi finals and final matches, plus four concerts, including Decatur’s own Indigo Girls.
“Decatur WatchFest’ 26 is having the strong economic impact we’d hoped for as many of our local businesses are seeing their best activity in years,” said Decatur City Manager Andrea Arnold. “As with our Olympics efforts in 1996, a positive long-term impact on economic development is expected as new-to-Decatur visitors decide to move their families and businesses to the area.”
Upcoming matches:
● July 14: 3 p.m., France v Spain
● July 15: 3 p.m., Argentina v England
● July 18: 5 p.m., Losers M101 v Losers M102
● July 19: 3 p.m., Winners M101 v Winners M102
Upcoming performances on the new Decatur Square stage:
● July 14: 7:00 p.m., These Crowded Streets
● July 15: 6:00 p.m., Decatur City Band
● July 18: 7:30 p.m., Pushback
● July 19: 8:00 p.m., Indigo Girls (gated and ticketed event)
Full press release here.
Recent Releases
Decatur WatchFest ‘26 Announces The War And Treaty Concert on June 25, 2026
Part of Decatur’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ Festivities
EXPAND
DECATUR, January 21, 2026 – Decatur WatchFest ‘26 today announced The War And Treaty will perform a free concert June 25th in advance of the United States match as part of the City of Decatur’s 34-day celebration of FIFA World Cup 2026™. The concert will take place on Decatur Square.
This is the latest in a series of Decatur WatchFest ‘26 concerts that will include additional big names as well as local and international artists throughout the 34 days of the FIFA World Cup 26™ tournament.
Concert timing and free ticket information will be announced on Decatur WatchFest ‘26’s website and its social media pages including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
Founded in 2014 by the husband-and-wife duo Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter, The War And Treaty has emerged as one of the most electrifying new acts in American music. They were nominated for the Best New Artist and Best American Roots Song at the 2024 GRAMMY Awards, and have also been nominated for Duo of the Year at the CMA Awards two years in a row and for Vocal Duo of the Year at the ACM Awards.
The band has won two Americana Music Awards (both for Duo/Group of the Year) and has received additional nominations and recognition from CMT Music Awards, Folk Alliance International, People’s Choice Country Awards, as well as from the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the Grand Ole Opry.
Concert timing and free ticket information will be announced on the Decatur WatchFest ‘26 website and its social media pages including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
Decatur WatchFest ‘26 musical acts are produced in partnership with Amplify My Community, which produces the annual Amplify Decatur Music Festival.
READ MORE (PDF)
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for up-to-the-minute details. And sign up for email updates about ticket availability.
Decatur WatchFest ‘26 Announces Indigo Girls Concert on July 19, 2026
Closing Concert for Decatur’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ Festivities
EXPAND
DECATUR, December 3, 2025 — Decatur WatchFest ‘26 today announced Decatur’s own Indigo Girls will close out the City’s 34 days of World Cup festivities with a free concert on Decatur Square, Sunday, July 19, 2026, the final day of FIFA World Cup 2026™ (June 11 – July 19, 2026).
“Playing in Decatur during the World Cup is one way of saying ‘thank you’ to the city that’s been a home to us for so many years,” said Emily Saliers and Amy Ray. “Over the decades, we’ve seen Decatur grow and we are so excited to be asked to be a part of the Decatur WatchFest celebration.”
This is the latest in a series of Decatur WatchFest ‘26 concerts that will include additional big names as well as local and international artists throughout the 34 days of the FIFA World Cup 26™ tournament.
Concert timing and free ticket information will be announced on the Decatur WatchFest ‘26 website and its social media pages including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
Decatur WatchFest ‘26 musical acts are produced in partnership with Amplify My Community, which produces the annual Amplify Decatur Music Festival.
READ MORE (PDF)
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for up-to-the-minute details. And sign up for email updates about ticket availability.
Decatur WatchFest ‘26 Announces Big Boi As Headliner for Opening Concert on June 11, 2026
EXPAND
DECATUR, October 23, 2025 — Decatur WatchFest ‘26 today announced Atlanta’s own Big Boi will kick off the festivities with a free concert on Decatur Square Thursday, June 11, 2026, the first day of FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches (June 11 – July 19, 2026).
Concert timing and additional details will be announced in January after the World Cup draw in December when teams and match times are decided.
“As an Atlantan and huge soccer fan, performing for Decatur WatchFest ‘26 to kick off our World Cup festivities is a great honor,” said Big Boi. “I’ve seen the energy the World Cup creates and I’m excited to get the party started for music and soccer fans in my backyard!”
READ MORE (PDF)
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for up-to-the-minute details. And sign up for email updates about ticket availability.
In the News
- WJBF-TV, Channel 6 Augusta
- WXIA TV, 11 Alive, Atlanta
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Media Kit
As 2026 approaches, it’s clear that it will be the biggest-ever year of soccer in Atlanta. The excitement is already building, and as Atlanta’s eastern neighbor, Decatur and its home-grown soccer fan base are preparing to welcome the world with WatchFest 26. Decatur, just 4.7 square miles and six miles east of Atlanta, will offer soccer fans an easy-access alternative venue to watch matches on giant screens on our square, or grab a seat at a nearby pub.
Want to know more about our story? Download our media kit for ongoing event press releases, image and video assets, and City of Decatur soccer stats.
