While much of the talk surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup has centered around price hikes, whether they be related to flights, visas, public transportation, or simply the tickets to games themselves, Arthur Blank has no interest in taking advantage of fans.
The renowned philanthropist and entrepreneur, whose company AMB Sports and Entertainment operates Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, recently pledged to ensure concession prices at the eight World Cup games set to be held at the venue remain ‘fan-friendly,’ as per WSB-TV 2.
Blank, who owns the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, the MLS’s Atlanta United, and will own the NWSL’s Atlanta-based franchise once it kicks off in 2028, recently rold the station, “Fans give us their energy, their time, their passion, their resources, their families, whatever it may be, and we need to honor that in the truest sense of the word, whatever we can.”
- FIFA World Cup hotel bookings below expectations as U.S. tourism concerns rise
- Arsenal hand Premier League rivals major Champions League boost with win
To Blank, this “honor” will include maintaining affordable concession prices for fans, stating, “We can’t always control what happens on the field, what happens on the pitch, but we can control the fan experience.”
The 83-year-old also touched upon this when speaking with the local NBC affiliate, commenting, “People will feel extraordinarily welcomed. They’re going to have a great experience inside the building, outside the building.
“If they’re in the building, they’re going to find the same welcome home atmosphere. They’re going to find the same commitment to food and beverage values, which starts with low pricing, quality, quantity, etc.
“So, I think they’re going to walk away from Atlanta saying, ‘We need to come back here and visit more often. We got to consider moving here.’”
Looking ahead to the rapidly approaching tournament, Blank remained optimistic that Atlanta was more than prepared to host the competition, having also done so back in 1996.
“Atlanta always steps up. It seems always to be ready at the moment and does a great job,” he told the local CBS affiliate. “It’s one of the reasons that Atlanta has grown from less than a million people when I moved here to over 8 million people today.
“So Atlanta will show the best form of southern hospitality in every way. I’m certain of that.”
Along with hosting eight games at the home of both the Falcons and United, Downtown Atlanta will also play host to a Fan Fest at Centennial Olympic Park.
As revealed in March, the Fan Fest aims to offer soccer supporters live broadcasts of games, concerts, concessions, and cultural programming.
This will all be offered across four programming zones, including a main stage with a 40-foot screen, a playground for youngsters, ‘The Pitch,’ which will play host to “a community stage, podcasts and AR/VR-enhanced sound experiences,” as well as Georgia Street, where artists and food vendors will set up shop.