Are the Olympics Coming Back to Atlanta? What Residents Should Know

Atlanta’s connection to the Olympic Games is a big part of the city’s identity. If you live in metro Atlanta—or you’re thinking about visiting—you might wonder: are the Olympics coming back to Atlanta anytime soon?

The short answer is: not right now. Atlanta is not currently selected to host an upcoming Summer or Winter Olympic Games. However, the city’s Olympic legacy still shapes local life, tourism, and even future possibilities.

Below is a clear breakdown of what’s happening, what’s realistic, and how the Olympics still show up in Atlanta today.

Is Atlanta Scheduled to Host the Olympics Again?

As of now:

• Atlanta is not on the schedule for any upcoming Olympic Games.
• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already awarded the next several Summer and Winter Games to other cities.
• There is no active, public bid from the City of Atlanta to host a future Olympics.

Atlanta last hosted the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, and those remain the only Olympic Games the city has held so far.

Which cities are hosting the next Olympics?

Here’s a simplified look at how the upcoming Olympic schedule is laid out:

Atlanta does not appear on the list of awarded Games.

Could Atlanta Host the Olympics Again in the Future?

While nothing is guaranteed, it is possible in theory that Atlanta could host another Olympics someday. Here’s how that generally works:

How a city like Atlanta gets chosen

To host the Olympics, a city typically needs to:

• Form an official bid committee backed by local and state leaders.
• Demonstrate strong venues and infrastructure (stadiums, arenas, transit, housing).
• Show plans for security, transportation, and accommodations.
• Make a compelling case for long-term community benefits, not just a short-term event.

Atlanta has some advantages:

• Existing Olympic legacy venues (like Centennial Olympic Park and others).
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a major global hub.
• A strong track record of hosting big events, such as:
  • College Football Playoff National Championships
  • Super Bowls
  • Major conventions and festivals

But it also faces challenges:

• The financial cost and political complexity of organizing a bid.
• Regional competition from other U.S. cities that might also want to bid.
• Local questions about traffic, housing, and neighborhood impact.

As of now, there is no formal process underway to bring the Olympics back to Atlanta.

How the 1996 Olympics Still Affect Atlanta Today

Even though the Olympics aren’t coming back in the near future, Atlanta still feels like an “Olympic city.” If you live here or you’re visiting, you can still see and experience that legacy.

Key Atlanta spots with Olympic history

• Centennial Olympic Park

  • Location: Downtown Atlanta, near the CNN Center and Georgia World Congress Center
  • Originally built as the “front yard” of the 1996 Games
  • Today, it’s a public park and gathering space, with fountains, pathways, and event areas.

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium / Georgia Dome site

  • The Georgia Dome (now demolished) hosted Olympic events in 1996.
  • The site is now home to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which continues Atlanta’s reputation for major sports events.

• Georgia Tech campus

  • Georgia Tech hosted the Olympic Village and multiple competition venues.
  • Some facilities still in use today were upgraded or built for the Games.

• Clayton County International Park (The Beach)

  • Located in Jonesboro, it hosted Olympic beach volleyball.
  • It now serves as a recreation area for residents and visitors.

Everyday ways the Olympics shaped Atlanta

For people in metro Atlanta, the 1996 Games influenced:

• Transportation projects, including expansions and improvements around the city.
• Park and greenspace development, especially downtown.
• The city’s reputation as an international destination for meetings, conventions, and tourism.

If you’re exploring Atlanta and want to connect with its Olympic past, visiting these areas can give you a feel for what the Games left behind.

If the Olympics Did Come Back: What Would It Mean for Atlantans?

Even though a return isn’t on the immediate horizon, many locals still wonder what it would look like if the Olympics came back.

For residents

You might expect:

• Major construction and infrastructure work leading up to the Games.
• Expanded or adjusted public transit routes and traffic changes.
• A surge in tourism, temporary jobs, and event-related work.
• Possible changes to housing demand and short-term rentals.

For visitors

Atlanta could see:

• A huge uptick in hotel occupancy and temporary lodging options.
• More festival-style events, fan zones, and cultural programming across neighborhoods.
• Enhanced airport, transit, and visitor services around Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and downtown.

Because the Olympics are such a large-scale event, preparing for them usually takes many years. That gives cities time to plan—but it also means any future Atlanta bid would be very public and highly discussed long before the Games arrived.

How to Stay Informed About Major Sporting Events in Atlanta

Even if the Olympics aren’t on the calendar, Atlanta regularly hosts national and international sporting events that can feel like mini “Olympic moments” for the city.

Where locals and visitors can watch for big-event news

You can look to:

• City of Atlanta government announcements
• State of Georgia and Georgia World Congress Center Authority communications
• Local sports organizations and venues, such as:
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  • State Farm Arena
  • Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, and other nearby campuses

These groups often share early information about upcoming championships, tournaments, and special events that impact traffic, parking, and tourism.

What You Can Do Today to Experience Atlanta’s Olympic Side

If you’re curious about the Olympics in Atlanta right now, here are a few practical ideas:

• Visit Centennial Olympic Park
  Walk through the park, check out the Fountain of Rings, and notice the plaques and design that reference the 1996 Games.

• Explore nearby attractions with Olympic roots
  The area around the park includes major visitor spots that grew alongside Atlanta’s push to become an international city.

• Look for public art and memorials
  Around downtown and Midtown, you can find references to the Olympic era in public spaces, buildings, and art installations.

• Attend major sports events in the city
  While not the Olympics, big football, soccer, basketball, and other events in Atlanta often bring a similar sense of international energy to the city.

Bottom Line for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

• No, the Olympics are not currently scheduled to come back to Atlanta.
• Yes, it’s possible in the long term, but there is no active bid or official plan in motion right now.
• Atlanta’s 1996 Olympic legacy is still very visible in parks, venues, and infrastructure that residents and visitors use every day.

If you’re in Atlanta and curious about the city’s Olympic connection, you don’t have to wait for another Games—you can explore the lasting impact of 1996 all around the city today.