When Were the Atlanta Olympics? A Local Guide to the 1996 Games

The Atlanta Olympics took place from July 19 to August 4, 1996.
Officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad, they put Atlanta on the global map and reshaped much of the city you see today.

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or are just trying to understand how the Olympics changed the city, it helps to know not only when they happened, but also where they were held and what is still visible around town.

Key Dates of the Atlanta 1996 Olympics

Here’s a quick look at the main timeline:

The Paralympic Games followed later, from August 16 to August 25, 1996, also centered in Atlanta.

Where the 1996 Atlanta Olympics Took Place

Even though the Games ended decades ago, you can still see many of the key Olympic sites around Atlanta.

Centennial Olympic Park (Downtown)

• When it mattered: A central gathering space during the Games, with concerts, sponsor showcases, and viewing areas.
• Where it is now:
  Centennial Olympic Park
  265 Park Ave W NW
  Atlanta, GA 30313

Today, it’s a downtown green space surrounded by major attractions like the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola. Locals and visitors still come to:

• See the Fountain of Rings, inspired by the Olympic symbol
• Walk the commemorative bricks purchased by supporters before the Games
• Visit plaques and monuments that explain Atlanta’s Olympic story

If you want a quick, tangible connection to “When was the Atlanta Olympics?”, this is the easiest place to start—most features reference the 1996 dates and logo.

Former Olympic Stadium Area (Summerhill)

The Opening and Closing Ceremonies in 1996 took place at Centennial Olympic Stadium. After the Games, it was converted into Turner Field for the Atlanta Braves, and later reconfigured again as Center Parc Stadium for Georgia State University football.

• Current location:
  Center Parc Stadium (formerly Turner Field / Olympic Stadium site)
  755 Hank Aaron Dr SE
  Atlanta, GA 30315

In the surrounding Summerhill neighborhood, you can still find:

• Markers and plaques noting the stadium’s Olympic past
• Street names and references tied to Atlanta’s sports history
• Easy access to Hank Aaron Drive, reflecting the city’s broader sports heritage

If you drive or walk the area, you’re literally circling part of the 1996 Olympic footprint, even though it now functions as a college football stadium.

Georgia Tech and the Olympic Village (Midtown)

During the 1996 Games, Georgia Tech served as the Olympic Village, housing thousands of athletes and staff.

• Campus location:
  Georgia Institute of Technology
  225 North Ave NW
  Atlanta, GA 30332

Many of the residence halls and athletic facilities used in 1996 are still in use for students now. If you’re walking around Midtown:

• Look for athletic venues and pools that were upgraded for the Games
• Check out campus signage or historical markers that mention the Olympics
• Notice how close campus is to downtown, which made it ideal for housing athletes

Other Olympic-Linked Venues in the Atlanta Area

While the core dates were July 19–August 4, 1996, the events were spread across several metro-area locations:

• Georgia World Congress Center (Downtown): Hosted some indoor competitions and media operations.
  285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

• Georgia Dome (since demolished): Former site of gymnastics and basketball. It stood where Mercedes-Benz Stadium is now, in the same general complex.

• Stone Mountain Park: Hosted events like tennis and archery, just east of Atlanta.
  1000 Robert E Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083

• Athens, Georgia (about 70 miles from Atlanta): Hosted soccer events at the University of Georgia’s Sanford Stadium, tied into the Atlanta 1996 schedule.

If you’re exploring the region, you’re never too far from a place that played some role in summer 1996.

How the 1996 Olympics Changed Atlanta

Knowing when the Olympics were held is one piece; understanding how those 1996 dates still shape daily life in Atlanta is another.

Transportation and Infrastructure

Leading up to July 1996, Atlanta invested heavily in:

• MARTA improvements, particularly rail and bus routes serving downtown and the airport
• Road expansions and signage upgrades, especially around the Connector (I-75/85) and I-20
• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport enhancements to handle international visitors

If you use MARTA today to get to downtown, Midtown, or the airport, you’re benefitting from upgrades that were influenced by the Games period.

Downtown Revitalization

The timeframe before and after the 1996 Olympics pushed a major push to:

• Create Centennial Olympic Park as a central public space
• Encourage new hotels, restaurants, and attractions near the park
• Make downtown more walkable and visitor-friendly

For locals, many of the places used for concerts, festivals, and family outings today trace directly back to the preparation for those July–August 1996 Olympic weeks.

Visiting Atlanta Today: How to Explore the 1996 Olympics History

If you’re in Atlanta and curious about “When was the Atlanta Olympics?” and what remains, here’s how to turn that question into a quick self-guided experience:

1. Start at Centennial Olympic Park

• Walk the Fountain of Rings
• Look for date inscriptions and Olympic symbols referencing 1996
• Check nearby monuments for timelines and names of participating nations

📝 Tip: Early morning or late afternoon visits are usually calmer and cooler, especially in summer.

2. Walk or Ride to the Former Olympic Stadium Site

From downtown, you can:

• Drive down Hank Aaron Dr SE to Center Parc Stadium
• Notice signs or displays referencing the Olympics and Turner Field history
• Explore the Summerhill business district, which grew alongside the stadium

This gives you a feel for how a major Olympic venue was repurposed into long-term local infrastructure.

3. Explore Georgia Tech’s Campus

If you’re already in Midtown:

• Stroll around Georgia Tech and look for athletic facilities updated in the mid-1990s
• Take note of any plaques or campus information panels referencing the 1996 Olympic Village

It’s a practical way to see how a temporary international housing site became part of a permanent university environment.

Quick Reference: Key Facts About the Atlanta Olympics

• Official name: Games of the XXVI Olympiad
• Host city: Atlanta, Georgia
• Main Olympic dates:July 19 – August 4, 1996
• Paralympic dates:August 16 – August 25, 1996
• Downtown centerpiece: Centennial Olympic Park
• Ceremony venue: Centennial Olympic Stadium (now the Center Parc Stadium area)
• Long-term impact: Major contributions to downtown redevelopment, transportation improvements, and Atlanta’s global identity

For anyone in Atlanta asking “When was the Atlanta Olympics?”, the answer is firmly rooted in the summer of 1996—but its effects are still visible across the city every day, from the park you walk through downtown to the stadiums and transit routes you use to get around.