When Were the Olympics Held in Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to the 1996 Games

The Olympic Games were held in Atlanta in 1996. If you live in Atlanta, visit often, or are just curious about the city’s history, the 1996 Summer Olympics are one of the biggest milestones in Atlanta’s modern story.

Below is a clear overview of what year the Olympics were in Atlanta, plus how those 1996 Games still shape the city you see today.

Quick Answer: What Year Were the Olympics in Atlanta?

Atlanta hosted the Summer Olympics in 1996.

• Event: Games of the XXVI Olympiad (1996 Summer Olympics)
• Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
• Dates: July 19 – August 4, 1996
• Centennial Games: They marked the 100th anniversary of the modern Olympic Games, which started in 1896.

If you hear locals talk about “the ’96 Olympics,” “the Centennial Games,” or just “when Atlanta had the Olympics,” they’re all referring to 1996.

How the 1996 Olympics Changed Atlanta

Even though the Olympics were a few weeks in summer 1996, the impact on Atlanta has lasted for decades. If you walk or drive around the city today, you still see reminders of those Games everywhere.

Key Atlanta Landmarks from the 1996 Olympics

Here are some of the most visible Olympic legacies around Atlanta:

• Centennial Olympic Park – Downtown

  • Built as the central gathering space for the 1996 Games
  • Today, it’s a public park with walking paths, lawns, and the famous Fountain of Rings
  • Location: 265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium / Former Olympic Stadium site – Near Downtown

  • The original Centennial Olympic Stadium hosted track and field and the Opening/Closing Ceremonies
  • It was later converted into Turner Field for the Atlanta Braves, and that area has since been redeveloped again, with Mercedes‑Benz Stadium nearby becoming the city’s major sports hub
  • Area: around Martin Luther King Jr Dr SW & Northside Dr NW

• Georgia Tech Campus Upgrades – Midtown

  • The 1996 Olympic Village and several venues supported events like swimming and diving
  • Much of that housing infrastructure became Georgia Tech student housing and athletic facilities

• Stone Mountain Park Venues – East of Atlanta

  • Hosted several Olympic events, including archery and certain outdoor competitions
  • Park Address: 1000 Robert E Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083

These sites mean that if you’re in Atlanta now, you can still physically visit parts of the 1996 Olympics.

Visiting Atlanta Today: Where to Experience the 1996 Olympics

If you’re in Atlanta and want to connect with the city’s Olympic history, there are a few practical ways to do it.

1. Centennial Olympic Park

For most residents and visitors, Centennial Olympic Park is the easiest, most direct way to experience the spirit of the 1996 Games.

What you’ll find there:

• Fountain of Rings shaped like the Olympic rings
• Plaques, monuments, and design elements referencing the 1996 Olympics
• Open green spaces and paved walkways
• Close access to State Farm Arena, CNN Center, the Georgia World Congress Center, the College Football Hall of Fame, and the Georgia Aquarium

📍 Centennial Olympic Park
265 Park Ave W NW
Atlanta, GA 30313

This is a practical stop if you’re downtown for a game, a concert, a convention, or sightseeing.

2. Olympic Legacy Around Georgia Tech

If you’re in Midtown Atlanta, especially near Georgia Tech, you’re near several sites that were updated or built for the Games:

• Aquatic facilities that supported Olympic swimming and diving
• Former village housing areas that helped accommodate athletes and later became student residences

You won’t see an “Olympic park” sign on every corner, but the campus layout and facilities were strongly influenced by Atlanta being the host city in 1996.

3. Stone Mountain Park

Stone Mountain Park, east of the city, was home to some Olympic competitions in 1996, especially archery and certain outdoor events. If you’re already visiting the park for hiking or recreation, you’re in an area that played a role in those Games.

📍 Stone Mountain Park
1000 Robert E Lee Blvd
Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Why the 1996 Olympics Matter for People in Atlanta

Knowing that the Olympics were in Atlanta in 1996 is more than trivia—it helps explain a lot about how the city looks and functions today.

Long-Term City Improvements

For people who live in or visit Atlanta, many everyday experiences were shaped by preparations for those Games:

• Downtown revitalization: The creation of Centennial Olympic Park helped jump‑start the growth of the surrounding area.
• Transportation upgrades: Road networks, signage, and airport capacities were expanded or improved leading up to 1996.
• Global recognition: Atlanta became much more widely recognized internationally, which still affects tourism, conventions, and business interest today.

If you’re wondering why downtown Atlanta has such a big park surrounded by attractions, or why sports are such a central part of the city’s identity, the 1996 Olympics are a major reason.

Simple Timeline: Atlanta and the 1996 Summer Olympics

Here’s a quick, at-a-glance reference:

If all you needed was the year: Atlanta’s Olympics were in 1996.

If you’re in the city now, you can still feel those Games in the layout of downtown, the presence of Centennial Olympic Park, and Atlanta’s ongoing role as a major sports and events destination.