Will Atlanta Host the Olympics Again? What Residents and Visitors Should Know

If you live in Atlanta—or you’re visiting and curious about the city’s Olympic legacy—you might be wondering: When will Atlanta host the Olympics again?

The short, direct answer is:
Atlanta is not currently scheduled to host another Olympic Games, and no official bid is active right now.

However, Atlanta’s Olympic past, its current sports infrastructure, and how the Olympic Games are awarded all shape what might be possible in the future. Here’s what that means in practical terms for people in Atlanta today.

Has Atlanta Been Selected to Host a Future Olympics?

As of now:

  • No upcoming Olympic Games are scheduled for Atlanta.
  • Recent and upcoming Summer Olympics are:
    • Paris 2024
    • Los Angeles 2028
    • Brisbane (Australia) 2032

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which selects host cities, has not named Atlanta as a future host beyond these known Games.

Atlanta’s role today is as a former host city (1996) with a strong sports and events infrastructure, not as a confirmed future Olympics site.

How Does a City Like Atlanta Get Chosen to Host the Olympics?

Understanding how host cities are chosen helps explain where Atlanta stands.

The Basic Selection Process

The host city is selected through a multi-year process:

  1. Exploratory phase
    A city (often led by local government, business leaders, and sports organizations) studies whether hosting the Olympics is realistic and beneficial.

  2. Dialogue with the IOC
    If interest is serious, city and national Olympic committees enter a continuous “dialogue” with the IOC, discussing:

    • Existing facilities
    • Transportation and infrastructure
    • Housing and accommodations
    • Security and logistics
    • Environmental and financial plans

  3. Targeted dialogue / formal consideration
    The IOC may move certain cities into deeper discussions. These cities are not always part of a public “bidding race” the way they were in the past; the process is now more flexible and behind-the-scenes.

  4. Host city election
    The IOC membership votes to select a host, often many years in advance.

What This Means for Atlanta

For Atlanta to host again, you would likely see:

  • Public discussion by:
    • City of Atlanta officials
    • State of Georgia leadership
    • The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC)
  • Visible planning and outreach, such as:
    • Feasibility studies
    • Community meetings
    • Public statements announcing interest in a bid

As of the most recent information available, this kind of organized, official Olympic bid activity is not underway for Atlanta.

Could Atlanta Host Another Olympics in the Future?

While no future Olympics are scheduled here, Atlanta does have strengths that could support a future bid:

Atlanta’s Olympic-Ready Assets

  • Legacy venues from 1996, including:

    • Centennial Olympic Park – now a major downtown gathering space.
    • Former Olympic Stadium – converted first to Turner Field and later to Georgia State University’s football stadium.
    • Adapted sports facilities in the metro area that continue to host large events.

  • Modern sports facilities, such as:

    • Mercedes-Benz Stadium (NFL, MLS, major concerts and events)
    • State Farm Arena (NBA, concerts)
    • College venues (Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Atlanta University Center)

  • Major transportation hub

    • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the world’s busiest airports, connects Atlanta globally.
    • Interstates and MARTA provide regional mobility, though traffic and capacity would be key planning challenges.

  • Experience hosting big events, including:

    • Super Bowls
    • College Football Playoff National Championship
    • NCAA Final Four tournaments
    • Major conventions and festivals

These factors make Atlanta plausible as a host in theory, but not promised or planned.

Key Realities to Keep in Mind

  • The IOC often aims for geographic rotation, spreading Games across different regions and continents.
  • The United States already has Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Summer Olympics.
  • Large events like the Olympics require massive public investment and years of political, financial, and community alignment.

Because of this, even if Atlanta expressed interest, it would still compete with other cities worldwide, and there is no guarantee of selection or timeline.

Atlanta’s Olympic Past: 1996 and Its Lasting Impact

Even though Atlanta is not scheduled to host again soon, the city’s 1996 Summer Olympics continue to shape what you see and experience today.

Visible Legacies Around the City

If you’re living in or visiting Atlanta, you can still explore the city’s Olympic connections:

  • Centennial Olympic Park

    • Located in downtown Atlanta
    • Built as the central gathering site in 1996
    • Features fountains, green space, and monuments related to the Games
    • Today: a public park used for festivals, concerts, and everyday recreation

  • Olympic Cauldron and Torch

    • The iconic cauldron structure, originally part of the Olympic Stadium, remains a recognizable symbol.

  • Venue Conversions

    • The main Olympic Stadium was converted for baseball after the Games and is now part of Georgia State University’s athletic facilities.
    • Several sporting venues across metro Atlanta were upgraded or built for 1996 and continue to be used for events, college sports, and community activities.

For locals, this means Atlanta’s “Olympic city” identity remains alive through infrastructure, tourism, and civic pride, even without a new Games on the calendar.

What Big International Events Is Atlanta Hosting?

If you’re curious about large-scale events in Atlanta—perhaps as a substitute for the excitement of an Olympics—there are several to know about.

Types of Major Events Atlanta Regularly Hosts

  • Professional sports championships and playoffs
  • College football bowls and championships
  • Basketball tournaments (college and professional)
  • Major concerts and festivals at:
    • Mercedes-Benz Stadium
    • State Farm Arena
    • Centennial Olympic Park
    • Atlanta Motor Speedway and other large venues

While these aren’t the Olympics, they bring international visitors, media attention, and global performances that feel similar in scale and energy.

If You Want to Track Future Olympic Possibilities for Atlanta

If you’re seriously interested in whether Atlanta might pursue another Olympic bid down the road, here are practical ways to stay informed.

1. Follow Local Government and Civic Leaders

Keep an eye on:

  • City of Atlanta announcements
  • Office of the Mayor of Atlanta
  • Atlanta City Council meetings and agendas

If an Olympic bid were being seriously considered, you would likely see:

  • Public discussions about funding, transportation, and development
  • Feasibility studies or task forces
  • Media coverage about a potential bid

2. Watch National Olympic Developments

Because the Olympics are awarded at the country level before the city level, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) plays a central role in selecting which U.S. city—if any—might bid.

If the USOPC were to explore another Summer Games after Los Angeles 2028, Atlanta could be among the cities discussed. However, there is no guarantee, and no such decision is currently in place for Atlanta.

What This Means for You in Atlanta Right Now

To directly answer “When will Atlanta host the Olympics?” in practical terms for residents and visitors:

  • There is no scheduled date for Atlanta to host another Olympics.
  • No active public bid has been announced for a future Games.
  • Atlanta’s 1996 Olympic legacy is still very present in the city’s parks, venues, and identity.
  • If a future bid ever moves forward, it would:
    • Be widely discussed in local news and government
    • Require coordination with the USOPC and IOC
    • Take many years of planning before any Games would actually occur

For now, what you can do is enjoy Atlanta’s Olympic history and world-class event scene—from Centennial Olympic Park to major sports and cultural events—while recognizing that another Olympics here remains a possibility in theory, but not a scheduled reality.