So I got this crazy idea to fly to Atlanta for the World Cup matches. Honestly, I just booked the flights and hotel kinda last minute thinking “how hard could it be?” Boy, was I in for a ride.
Figuring Out Where To Stay
First big headache was the hotel mess. Prices? Sky high. Everything near the stadium was sold out months ago. I ended up finding a place near the MARTA train line in Midtown. Pro tip: don’t sleep on that MARTA train. Sure, it got packed like sardines on match days, but it beat sitting in traffic forever. Saved my butt.
Scoring Tickets (The Hard Way)
Getting match tickets felt like another game itself. Official site was a scramble. I refreshed like a crazy person during pre-sales, fingers crossed. Lucked out on two group stage games but paid way more than planned for a knockout round ticket off a resale site. Still makes me wince.
Game Day Survival Kit
Learned quick what you NEED for the stadium:
- Clear Bag Only: Seriously, no ifs or buts. Saw people turned away looking mighty annoyed.
- Comfy Shoes: Mercedes-Benz Stadium is huge. Walked miles inside and out.
- Patience: Lines for food, restrooms, everything. Went during off-peak times when possible.
- Sealed Water Bottle: Prices inside? Ouch. Fill stations are lifesavers.
Eating Without Going Broke
Stadium food cost? Yeah, expected pain. But Atlanta itself? Food scene rocks. Found amazing cheap eats outside the tourist zones:
- BBQ spots down Peachtree Street after the game.
- Food Trucks gathered near Centennial Olympic Park – tacos were fire.
- Local bakeries for early coffee and pastries near the hotel.
Getting Around Town
MARTA train was MVP for stadium access. But Atlanta? Sprawl city. Needed rideshares sometimes which got pricey during peak times. Big mistake: Thinking I could just walk everywhere downtown. Distances trick you! Heat didn’t help either. Stay hydrated.
Stuff Nobody Told Me
- Phone Signal Death: Forget getting online near the stadium with 70,000+ folks packed in. Send important texts before you go in.
- Weather Whiplash: Hot and humid afternoon, chilly evening? Packed a light jacket and never regretted it.
- Language Barrier Surprise: Met so many fans from everywhere! Didn’t expect that many languages and chants all mixing together. Pure chaos but awesome.
- Lost Luggage Nightmare: My bag got stuck somewhere. Pack essentials in your carry-on. Had to buy stuff I didn’t plan to spend on.
Overall? Total hot mess experience at times, but man, the vibe inside the stadium when the crowd roared? Unreal. Would I do it again? Hell yes, but now I know exactly what not to screw up.