--- title: SR 942. Atlanta World Cup Host Committee; commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr942 cite_as: SR 942, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr942 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr942.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr942/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74025 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/sr941.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr943.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr942.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 942 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-03-12 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Drew Echols - Frank Ginn - Clint Dixon - Sonya Halpern - Tonya Anderson - Kim Jackson - Mike Hodges - Kay Kirkpatrick - Elena Parent - Randal Mangham - Chuck Payne - Jaha Howard - RaShaun Kemp - Sally Harrell text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR942/2025 upstream_id: 2132150 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Atlanta sports - economic development - tourism - Mercedes-Benz Stadium --- # SR 942. Atlanta World Cup Host Committee; commend ## Text Senate Resolution 942 By: Senators Echols of the 49th, Ginn of the 47th, Dixon of the 45th, Halpern of the 39th, Anderson of the 43rd 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 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. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate 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 Senate resolution commends the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee for preparing Atlanta and the state to host FIFA World Cup 2026 matches next summer. ### Plain-language summary 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 it 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. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-03-12) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2026-03-12) - Sponsors: Drew Echols, Frank Ginn, Clint Dixon, Sonya Halpern, Tonya Anderson, Kim Jackson, Mike Hodges, Kay Kirkpatrick, Elena Parent, Randal Mangham, Chuck Payne, Jaha Howard, RaShaun Kemp, Sally Harrell - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74025 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr942.md?full=1