Will The Olympics Ever Come Back To Atlanta?

If you live in or are visiting Atlanta, Georgia, it’s natural to wonder: “When is the Olympics coming to Atlanta?” After all, the city still carries a lot of pride (and a lot of infrastructure) from hosting the 1996 Olympic Games.

Here’s the direct answer and what Atlantans should realistically know.

Is Atlanta Getting Another Olympics?

There is currently no scheduled future Olympics in Atlanta.

• The Summer Olympics and Winter Olympics are awarded years in advance by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
• Recent and upcoming Summer Games include:
  • Paris 2024
  • Los Angeles 2028
  • Brisbane (Australia) 2032

Atlanta is not on the calendar for any upcoming Summer or Winter Games.

So if you are asking, “What year will the Olympics come back to Atlanta?” the honest current answer is: no year has been chosen, and there is no active plan on the books.

Could Atlanta Host The Olympics Again In The Future?

While nothing is scheduled, many people in the sports and civic world see Atlanta as a strong candidate cityif the United States or the region were to pursue another Summer Games in the distant future.

Here’s why Atlanta is often mentioned in those conversations:

• Proven host city: Atlanta successfully hosted the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games.
• Existing venues: Facilities like Centennial Olympic Stadium (now Center Parc Stadium), Georgia Tech’s aquatic and athletic complexes, and Georgia State University facilities reflect that legacy.
• Major event experience: Atlanta regularly handles large-scale events, including:
  • Super Bowl
  • College Football Playoff National Championship
  • Major conventions downtown around the Georgia World Congress Center

However, none of this means a new Olympic Games is underway or promised. It simply means that, on paper, Atlanta has experience and infrastructure that would matter if a future bid ever became serious.

How Are Future Olympic Host Cities Chosen?

Understanding the process explains why the question, “When is the Olympics coming to Atlanta?” doesn’t have a simple date.

Step-by-step overview

1. Interest phase
   Cities or countries quietly explore whether they want to host and whether it’s financially and politically realistic.

2. Dialogue with the IOC
   The IOC now uses a more flexible “continuous dialogue” process. Regions, countries, or cities talk with the IOC about feasibility before a formal bid.

3. Targeted dialogue & preferred host city
   The IOC eventually focuses on a preferred host (or hosts) for a specific year and negotiates terms.

4. Formal awarding of the Games
   The IOC members vote to award the Games years in advance.

   • Example: Brisbane was awarded the 2032 Olympics in 2021.

What this means for Atlanta

• Atlanta would need support from local and state leaders, cooperation with U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, and alignment with the IOC’s long-term planning.
• Any realistic Atlanta Olympic bid would likely be talked about publicly for many years before any decision was made.

Since no such active bid is in public circulation today, no upcoming Olympics is headed to Atlanta at this time.

Remembering Atlanta’s 1996 Olympics

When people ask when the Olympics is coming to Atlanta, they often are also curious about the city’s Olympic history and what remains from 1996.

Key legacy sites you can still visit

• Centennial Olympic Park

  • Location: Downtown Atlanta, near the CNN Center and Georgia World Congress Center
  • What it is today: A public park with the Fountain of Rings, green spaces, and regular local events.
  • Why it matters: Built for the 1996 Games, it remains one of the most visible Olympic legacies in Atlanta.

• Georgia Tech Campus (Midtown)

  • The Georgia Tech Aquatic Center (now the McAuley Aquatic Center) and other facilities hosted Olympic swimming, diving, and water polo events.
  • Today, they serve students, athletes, and occasionally host major competitions.

• Center Parc Stadium (formerly Centennial Olympic Stadium)

  • Originally built as the main Olympic stadium.
  • Later converted into a baseball field (Turner Field) and now serves as Georgia State University’s football stadium.

• Other venues used during 1996
  Several metro sites hosted different sports (for example, venues in Stone Mountain, Athens, and other nearby areas).

If you’re visiting and want to feel the Olympic history in Atlanta, Centennial Olympic Park is usually the best starting point.

Will Atlanta Host Any Olympic-Related Events Soon?

Even without the full Games, Atlanta can still be involved in Olympic-related activities, especially because the United States will host the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics.

Potential types of events that might involve Atlanta (no guarantees, just possibilities):

• Training camps or pre-Games preparation for national or international teams
• Qualifying events for certain sports
• Fan festivals, viewing parties, or sponsor events tied to LA 2028

These types of activities, if they happen, are more likely to be announced by:

• City of Atlanta authorities
• National and local sports organizations
• Major venues like Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, or Georgia World Congress Center

There is no official list of such events specifically guaranteed for Atlanta right now.

How To Stay Updated If You’re Hoping For Future Olympics News In Atlanta

If you’re the type of person who wants to know the moment there’s even a hint of an Olympic bid or major Olympic-related event in the city, these are practical ways to stay informed.

1. Follow local government and civic channels

Look to organizations that would be involved in any large-scale sports initiative:

• City of Atlanta – Mayor’s Office
• Atlanta City Council
• Georgia Governor’s Office
• Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB)

These groups typically publicize major event news, feasibility studies, and partnerships that would be stepping stones to any potential Olympic discussion.

2. Watch U.S. and international Olympic organizations

• U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) would coordinate any national-level interest.
• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announces host selections and any significant process changes.

Public discussion of a future Atlanta Games would almost certainly mention these organizations.

3. Monitor major Atlanta venues and sports franchises

Large venues and teams are often part of the conversation when cities explore global events:

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• State Farm Arena
• Georgia World Congress Center
• Local pro teams and major college programs

Press releases, community meetings, or long-term facility plans can sometimes hint at ambitions for bigger international events.

Quick Answer Summary For Atlantans

Below is a simple snapshot for anyone just needing clear, fast information.

What Someone In Atlanta Should Realistically Expect

If you’re hoping to attend an Olympics in Atlanta:

• There is no confirmed timeline for that to happen.
• You would need to follow long-term announcements over many years to see if a future bid emerges.
• For now, the closest connection you’ll have is:
  • Experiencing the 1996 Olympic legacy sites around the city.
  • Watching or attending Olympic-related events connected to Los Angeles 2028 or other future Games from here in Atlanta.

If your main question is simply, “When is the Olympics coming to Atlanta?”, the most accurate answer today is:

The Olympics are not currently scheduled to come to Atlanta again, and no future date has been set. However, Atlanta’s 1996 legacy and strong event infrastructure mean it could be considered in the future if city, state, and national leaders decide to pursue a new bid.