A state law in Georgia allows World Cup fans attending Atlanta's official FIFA Fan Fest to carry handguns into the event space, a detail that has reportedly surprised visiting supporters. Atlanta is a host city for the 2026 tournament and the FIFA Fan Fest in Centennial Olympic Park has been open throughout the event.
The Georgia World Congress Center, which organizes the Fan Fest, stated that all security measures were implemented in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. "We remain committed to providing a safe, welcoming environment for all guests while ensuring our operations comply with Georgia law," a spokesperson said.
According to 11A Live, the state law requires that events held on public property, even if organized by a private entity like FIFA, must permit visitors to carry firearms. John Monroe, an attorney for the gun rights group GA2A, explained that Georgia's public policy dictates that banning guns is only permissible on private property.
While the exact number of firearms brought onto the site is unclear, law enforcement officers present have reportedly encouraged attendees to leave guns in their vehicles, though some have exercised their right to carry them into the fan zone.
The fan zone has hosted thousands of attendees throughout the tournament, with fans from various countries gathering to watch matches. This comes as the England vs. Argentina semi-final match has been identified as one of the highest-risk games of the tournament due to the historical rivalry between the nations. FIFA, along with the Atlanta police department and the FBI, reportedly met to discuss security measures for the match, which included separate stadium entrances for each team's supporters and dedicated bars in the downtown area to minimize potential clashes.
FIFA's official website for the Fan Fest details policies on what fans can bring, such as transparent bags, but does not mention firearms.