What Year Did Atlanta Host the Olympics? A Local’s Guide to the 1996 Games

Atlanta hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1996.

For anyone living in Atlanta, visiting the city, or trying to understand its modern history, the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games are a big part of how the city looks and feels today. You see traces of them everywhere—from Centennial Olympic Park downtown to the legacy of venues like Georgia Tech’s aquatics center and Atlanta’s upgraded transportation and infrastructure.

Below is a clear, Atlanta-focused breakdown of what that year meant, where the Olympics took place around the city, and how you can still experience the 1996 Games today.

Quick Answer: Atlanta’s Olympic Year at a Glance

The Atlanta Summer Olympics took place in 1996, officially called the Games of the XXVI Olympiad.

Here’s a simple overview:

Why 1996 Was a Big Deal for Atlanta

Hosting the Olympics in 1996 transformed Atlanta from a regional hub into a global city on display.

For Atlantans, the Games brought:

• Major downtown development
• New and upgraded sports venues
• Improvements to roads and public spaces
• A surge of visitors, media, and international attention

You’ll still feel that impact today, especially around downtown and Midtown, and in neighborhoods that hosted venues or Olympic-related projects.

Where the 1996 Olympics Still Show Up in Today’s Atlanta

Even though the Games were in 1996, you can still visit several key sites connected to that year. Many residents and visitors explore these as part of understanding modern Atlanta.

Centennial Olympic Park (Downtown)

Year opened: Built for the 1996 Olympics
Location: 265 Park Avenue W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Centennial Olympic Park was created as a gathering place for visitors and locals during the Games. Today, it’s a public green space surrounded by some of Atlanta’s biggest attractions.

What you can see and do today:

• Fountain of Rings – The iconic Olympic rings fountain, still used for shows and play areas for kids in warm weather.
• Commemorative bricks and monuments – Many bricks are engraved with names and messages connected to the Games.
• Easy walking access to:
  • State Farm Arena
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  • Georgia World Congress Center
  • College Football Hall of Fame
  • World of Coca-Cola
  • Georgia Aquarium

For anyone asking “What year did Atlanta host the Olympics?” this park is the most visible everyday reminder that 1996 was that year.

Former Olympic Stadium → Now Home of the Atlanta Braves’ Legacy and GSU Football

In 1996, Atlanta built Centennial Olympic Stadium as the central venue for track and field and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

What happened after 1996:

• The stadium was converted into Turner Field, long-time home of the Atlanta Braves.
• Later, it was transformed again into Center Parc Stadium, now used primarily by Georgia State University for football.

Current name and use:

• Center Parc Stadium
• Address: 755 Hank Aaron Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30315

So even though the Games were in 1996, the main stadium site is still active and part of Atlanta’s sports landscape.

Georgia Tech’s Olympic Legacy (Midtown)

Georgia Tech’s campus played a major role in the 1996 Olympics:

• Athletes’ Village – Georgia Tech housing was used to host athletes.
• Aquatic Center – Built for Olympic swimming and diving events.

Today:

• The McAuley Aquatic Center (formerly the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center) is still used for competitive swimming and diving and community events.
• The campus has several small markers and references to its Olympic role.

Location overview:

• Georgia Institute of Technology is generally around North Avenue NW and Ferst Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30332.

If you live or work in Midtown, you may pass Olympic-built facilities without realizing they connect back to 1996.

Other Atlanta-Area Venues Tied to 1996

Several venues around metro Atlanta were part of the 1996 games, and many remain in use:

• Stone Mountain Park

  • Hosted certain events, including some outdoor competitions.
  • Today, it’s a major recreation area east of Atlanta, with trails, attractions, and lake activities.

• Lake Lanier (north of Atlanta)

  • Used for rowing and canoe/kayak events.
  • Still a popular spot for boating, fishing, and lakeside recreation.

• Georgia World Congress Center (Downtown)

  • Hosted indoor events and Olympic-related operations.
  • Today, it’s one of the country’s largest convention centers and still central to big events, concerts, and conferences.

How the 1996 Olympics Shaped Daily Life in Atlanta

If you’re in Atlanta now—driving, walking, or riding MARTA—you’re likely experiencing some of the long-term effects of hosting the Olympics in 1996.

Transportation and Infrastructure Upgrades

Leading up to 1996, Atlanta worked on:

• Road improvements and new interchanges
• Upgrades and expansions to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Enhancements to MARTA stations, especially near event areas like downtown and Midtown

For today’s residents and visitors, that means:

• Easier access to downtown venues around Centennial Olympic Park
• Well-established transit connections between the airport and central Atlanta
• Event-ready infrastructure that still supports big conventions and sports championships

Downtown and Midtown Development

The 1996 Olympics accelerated growth in:

• Downtown – With Centennial Olympic Park and nearby attractions becoming a central visitor area.
• Midtown – With Georgia Tech’s upgrades and improved amenities helping shape the neighborhood into the busy, mixed-use district it is today.

If you walk from Midtown to Downtown, much of the built environment—parks, sidewalks, hotels, and venues—was influenced by planning decisions tied to 1996.

Visiting Atlanta Today: How to Experience the 1996 Olympics

If you’re curious about the year Atlanta hosted the Olympics and want to see that history up close, here are simple, practical ways to do it.

1. Walk Through Centennial Olympic Park 🏅

• Stroll through the park, especially near the Fountain of Rings.
• Look for plaques, monuments, and engraved bricks noting the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games.
• Plan time to explore the surrounding attractions if you’re visiting from out of town.

2. Check Out Former Olympic Venues

• Center Parc Stadium (Former Olympic Stadium/Turner Field)

  • Drive by or attend a Georgia State University football game to see the transformed venue.

• Georgia Tech Campus

  • Walk through the area around the aquatics center and athletic facilities to get a feel for how the campus functioned as a key Olympic hub.

3. Visit the Area Around the Park for Broader Context

While not strictly an “Olympic museum,” the cluster of attractions around Centennial Olympic Park helps give a full picture of Atlanta’s growth since 1996, including:

• Sports facilities
• Major entertainment venues
• Large convention spaces

Key Takeaways for Anyone Asking “What Year Did Atlanta Host the Olympics?”

If you’re searching for this as an Atlanta resident, a visitor, or someone studying the city:

• Atlanta hosted the Summer Olympics in 1996.
• The event is formally known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad or 1996 Centennial Olympic Games.
• Major legacy sites include:
  • Centennial Olympic Park (Downtown)
  • Center Parc Stadium (former Olympic Stadium / Turner Field)
  • Georgia Tech’s McAuley Aquatic Center and campus facilities
  • Regional venues like Stone Mountain Park and Lake Lanier

Understanding that Atlanta’s Olympics were in 1996 helps explain much of the city’s modern development, especially downtown and Midtown, and gives useful context when you explore the city’s parks, sports venues, and transportation systems today.