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Senate · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session

SR 942: Atlanta World Cup Host Committee; commend

Last action March 12, 2026 · Senate Read and Adopted

A Georgia Senate resolution commends the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee for preparing Atlanta and the state to host FIFA World Cup 2026 matches next summer.

Read the full resolution text

These buttons carry the resolution's own text, not the summaries below. Copy for LLM, View as markdown, and Send to AI use the Markdown version: the text as filed, then the summaries under a heading that names them as ours. View raw is the text alone.

The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Enrolled version, the latest the General Assembly's website lists.

In plain language

This is a commendation resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a law that changes anyone's rights or duties. It praises the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee for its work getting Atlanta and Georgia ready to host FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, including a semi-final at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The resolution recounts background facts: Atlanta was chosen in 2022 as one of 16 host cities, will host eight matches between June 15 and July 15, 2026, and the state provided a sales tax exemption on tickets and a $25 million appropriation for public safety and infrastructure. It also notes community programs tied to the event, like a StationSoccer hub at a MARTA station and Boys and Girls Clubs partnerships across the state, and projects over $500 million in economic impact. The Senate directs a copy be sent to the Host Committee.

What the bill does

  • Formally commends the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee for its preparation work ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026.
  • Directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee.
  • Documents state actions already taken, including a sales tax exemption extension on major sporting event tickets and a $25 million appropriation for security and infrastructure.
  • Recites community and economic details, such as a new StationSoccer site at a MARTA station and partnerships with Boys and Girls Clubs in over a dozen Georgia communities.

Who it affects

The Atlanta World Cup Host Committee, the Atlanta Sports Council and its partner organizations, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Georgia communities hosting related youth programs, and Georgians anticipating the FIFA World Cup 2026 matches and related economic activity.

Why it matters

While the resolution itself creates no new law, it formally recognizes and publicizes the state's role in hosting FIFA World Cup 2026, a major international event expected to bring visitors, investment, and over $500 million in economic activity to Georgia.

Key provisions

  • The resolution recites that Atlanta will host eight World Cup matches between June 15 and July 15, 2026, including a semi-final.
  • It notes a state sales tax exemption extension on major sporting event tickets and a $25 million state appropriation for public safety, security, and infrastructure.
  • It highlights partnerships, including a StationSoccer hub at the Hamilton E. Holmes MARTA Station and Boys and Girls Clubs programs in over a dozen Georgia communities.
  • The resolving clause commends the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee for its preparation efforts.
  • A further resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to the Host Committee.

From the bill

“NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE 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.”

This is the resolution's core action, formally commending the Host Committee.

“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.”

States the projected economic impact of the event on Georgia.

Discussed in meetings (1)

The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.

  1. Senate floor session, March 16, 2026 (legislative day 32)

    From 1:03:12 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The Senate adopted SR 942, commending the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee, without objection. The sponsor said Atlanta would host eight matches, including a semifinal, with its first match on June 15. The sponsor emphasized anticipated benefits for tourism, small businesses, restaurants and hotels across Georgia. A representative of Arthur M. Blank Sports and Entertainment thanked lawmakers for their support and described plans to welcome visitors. A representative of the Atlanta Sports Council emphasized cooperation among public and private organizations and encouraged residents to participate even without attending a match.

Status timeline

  1. 2026-03-12Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
  2. 2026-03-10Senate Hopper (Senate)

Sponsors

  • Drew Echols (R, SD-49)Primary sponsor
  • Frank Ginn (R, SD-47)
  • Clint Dixon (R, SD-45)
  • Sonya Halpern (D, SD-39)
  • Tonya Anderson (D, SD-43)
  • Kim Jackson (D, SD-41)
  • Mike Hodges (R, SD-3)
  • Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-32)
  • Elena Parent (D, SD-44)
  • Randal Mangham (D, SD-55)
  • Chuck Payne (R, SD-54)
  • Jaha Howard (D, SD-35)
  • RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-38)
  • Sally Harrell (D, SD-40)

Topics

  • FIFA World Cup 2026
  • Atlanta sports
  • economic development
  • tourism
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium

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Machine-readable https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr942.md · https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md · MCP https://mcp.georgiacommons.org/mcp

SR942: Atlanta World Cup Host Committee; commend | Georgia Commons