Welcome to Stratford-Grove Meade-Hyde Park
The World Cup Is Coming to Our Backyard
This summer, Metro Atlanta will take center stage as one of the host cities for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The tournament runs from June 11 through July 19, with Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosting eight matches, including a semifinal on July 15.
For Stratford Grove–Meade Hyde Park residents, the excitement is even closer to home. Atlanta United's Training Ground on Franklin Gateway has been selected as an official FIFA Team Base Camp and will serve as the training headquarters for Uzbekistan's national team during the tournament. The facility recently completed a major expansion, helping position Marietta and Cobb County as a key part of the World Cup experience.
Atlanta match dates are scheduled for:
• June 15
• June 18
• June 21
• June 24
• June 27
• July 1
• July 7
• July 15
So what should residents expect?
Most of the heaviest traffic impacts will be concentrated around Downtown Atlanta, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, and major hotel districts. However, East Cobb residents should expect increased traffic on I-75, I-285, Cobb Parkway, and around the Franklin Gateway corridor on match days and during team training periods. Fortunately, the games are spread out over several weeks rather than occurring every day.
Many residents may remember what the Franklin Gateway corridor looked like years ago. Since then, the City of Marietta, Cobb County, and private partners have invested heavily in redevelopment, transportation improvements, public safety initiatives, and sports facilities. The Atlanta United campus alone now represents more than $90 million in investment, with additional soccer-related development continuing in the area.
Local officials have also been coordinating security, transportation, and event planning efforts for several years in preparation for the tournament. Residents can expect an increased law enforcement presence and enhanced traffic management around major event venues and training sites throughout June and July.
While there may be a few extra delays on the roads this summer, it's not every day that the world's largest sporting event comes to your neighborhood. Having an official World Cup training site less than 10 minutes from Stratford Grove–Meade Hyde Park is a unique opportunity and another reminder of how much East Cobb and Marietta continue to grow as regional destinations.
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What is sGMhp?
We are a family of neighborhoods in Marietta, located in Cobb County, Georgia. SGMHP is ideally positioned for commuting in the city with ready access to the cloverleaf of I-75 and I-285. Enjoy the benefits of living within a 5-minute drive of shopping, schools, restaurants, and entertainment. We are also just 5 miles from The Battery Atlanta and the new home of the Atlanta Braves, Truist Park.
