--- title: HR 1681. Atlanta World Cup Host Committee; commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/hr1681 cite_as: HR 1681, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1681 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1681.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1681/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74063 date: 2026-03-12 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13 license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1680.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1682.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 131 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1681.md?full=1 bill_number: HR 1681 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: House bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-03-12 last_action: House Read and Adopted sponsors: - James Hatchett - Chuck Efstration - Jon Burns - Carolyn Hugley - Matthew Gambill - Kasey Carpenter text_version: Introduced has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR1681/2025 upstream_id: 2133277 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Atlanta sports - state commendation resolution - tourism and economic development --- # HR 1681. Atlanta World Cup Host Committee; commend ## Text House Resolution 1681 By: Representatives Hatchett of the 155th, Efstration of the 104th, Burns of the 159th, Hugley of the 141st, Gambill of the 15th, and others A RESOLUTION Commending the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, in June 2022, Atlanta, Georgia, was selected through a highly competitive bid process to serve as one of the 16 host cities across three different countries for the FIFA World Cup 2026, one of the world's most prestigious international sporting events; and WHEREAS, the FIFA World Cup 2026 will occur over a month in Georgia, with the first group match in Atlanta on June 15, 2026, and the semi-final match on July 15, 2026; and WHEREAS, Atlanta, Georgia, was awarded eight FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, the second highest number of matches, which includes five group stage matches, a round of 32 match, a round of 16 match, and a semi-final match; and WHEREAS, this summer, Atlanta and the State of Georgia will welcome Cabo Verde, Haiti, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Spain, South Africa, Uzbekistan, European Play-Off D Winner, and Intercontinental Play-Off 1 Winner; and WHEREAS, The Atlanta Sports Council spearheaded the bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2026 alongside its partners in the community and state, including the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Arthur M. Blank Sports and Entertainment, Georgia World Congress Center Authority, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Metro Atlanta Chamber, the City of Atlanta, and the State of Georgia; and WHEREAS, the Georgia General Assembly and Governor Brian P. Kemp championed Georgia's ability to host major sporting events with the extension of the sales tax exemption on tickets for major sporting events and a $25 million appropriation to facilitate public safety, security, and infrastructure costs for hosting FIFA World Cup 2026; and WHEREAS, the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be hosted at the world-class Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the home of Atlanta United and the Atlanta Falcons; future home of Atlanta's National Women's Soccer League (NSWL) team; and the future host of multiple major sporting events, including Super Bowl 62 and the NCAA Men's Final Four 2031; and WHEREAS, Cox Enterprises, Georgia-Pacific, The Home Depot, NAPA Auto Parts, and Southern Company signed on as official Atlanta World Cup Host City Supporters to provide business community support for our city and state's ability to host this prestigious international event; and WHEREAS, over 3,000 volunteers from Georgia, the Southeast, and the world have stepped forward to serve as ambassadors, offering the first impression for guests and showcasing our first-class hospitality for national and international visitors across the event's footprint; and WHEREAS, the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee will support the development of a new StationSoccer location at the Hamilton E. Holmes MARTA Station in partnership with Soccer in the Streets, creating a community hub for youth programming, transportation, education, and a public space to foster community support; and WHEREAS, the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee is committed to creating lasting, statewide impact through a strategic partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Georgia in local communities, including plans in Albany, Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Dalton, Fayetteville, Gainesville, Macon, Rome, the Savannah/Statesboro area, Valdosta, Thomasville, Brunswick, and the Blue Ridge region; and WHEREAS, the FIFA World Cup 2026 has catalyzed development all across our state, spurring over $5 billion in private development occurring in Downtown Atlanta and over $100 million in infrastructure investments improving Atlanta's preparedness for residents and visitors from around the world; and WHEREAS, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is projected to generate more than $500 million in economic impact for the State of Georgia from spending by out-of-state attendees throughout its duration. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commend the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee for its efforts to prepare Atlanta and the State of Georgia to welcome national and international visitors for the FIFA World Cup 2026. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee. ## Summaries written by Georgia Commons The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary. A Georgia House resolution formally commends the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee for its work preparing Atlanta and the state to host eight FIFA World Cup 2026 matches. ### Plain-language summary This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives recognizes the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee for its efforts leading up to the FIFA World Cup 2026, in which Atlanta will host eight matches, including a semi-final, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium between June and July 2026. The resolution recounts the bid process, the committee's community partners, state investments including a sales tax exemption for event tickets and a $25 million appropriation for public safety and infrastructure, and community programs tied to the event such as a StationSoccer hub at a MARTA station and partnerships with Boys and Girls Clubs across Georgia. It does not create any new law, funding, or requirement; it simply directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to the Host Committee. ### What it does - Formally commends the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee for its preparation work ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. - Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to send a copy of the resolution to the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee. - Recites background facts about the World Cup bid, matches, sponsors, volunteers, and community programs without creating any new legal requirement or funding. ### Who it affects The Atlanta World Cup Host Committee and its partners, including the Atlanta Sports Council, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the City of Atlanta, and business sponsors, receive formal recognition. The resolution has no direct legal effect on other Georgians. ### Why it matters The resolution carries symbolic weight, giving official state recognition to the organizers of a major international sporting event expected to bring large crowds and economic activity to Georgia. It does not change any law, tax, or spending, so it has no direct practical effect on residents. ### Key provisions - Recites the history of Atlanta's selection as a FIFA World Cup 2026 host city and the eight matches awarded to it. - Notes the state's sales tax exemption on tickets for major sporting events and a $25 million appropriation for public safety, security, and infrastructure tied to the event. - Describes community programs such as a StationSoccer hub at the Hamilton E. Holmes MARTA Station and partnerships with Boys and Girls Clubs of Georgia in multiple cities. - Resolves that the House commends the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee for its preparation efforts. - Directs the Clerk of the House to provide a copy of the resolution to the Host Committee. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-03-12) - Last action: House Read and Adopted (2026-03-12) - Sponsors: James Hatchett, Chuck Efstration, Jon Burns, Carolyn Hugley, Matthew Gambill, Kasey Carpenter - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74063 > The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1681.md?full=1