Decatur WatchFest ‘26 today announced Atlanta’s own Big Boi will kick off the festivities with a free concert on Decatur Square Thursday, June 11, 2026, the first day of FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches (June 11 – July 19, 2026).
Concert timing and additional details will be announced in January after the World Cup draw in December when teams and match times are decided.
“As an Atlantan and huge soccer fan, performing for Decatur WatchFest ‘26 to kick off our World Cup festivities is a great honor,” said Big Boi. “I’ve seen the energy the World Cup creates and I’m excited to get the party started for music and soccer fans in my backyard!”
Big Boi was born in Savannah but raised in Atlanta. He is one half of the hip-hop duo OutKast, a group that he and André 3000 founded in 1992. He is also a well-known music producer and now RV remodeler for his new show on Hulu, Big RV Remix. Click here for more about his career.
- The Big Boi concert is the first announcement in a series of concerts expected to include additional big names as well as local and international artists, all in conjunction with match watch events throughout the 34 days of the FIFA World Cup 26™ tournament.
- More information on free tickets for the concert will be available in the coming months on Decatur WatchFest ‘26’s website and its social media pages.
- Decatur WatchFest ‘26 musical acts are produced in partnership with Amplify My Community, who produces the annual Amplify Decatur Music Festival.
“The City of Decatur is so excited to kick off Decatur WatchFest ‘26 with Big Boi, an artist who has such a deep connection to Atlanta,” says Andrea Arnold, Decatur City Manager. “We are thrilled to welcome Big Boi to the Square to start the Decatur WatchFest ‘26 celebration.”
FIFA World Cup 2026™ runs from June 11, 2026 through July 19, 2026, with eight matches taking place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Easily accessible by MARTA connecting Decator to downtown, Decatur will join greater Atlanta to celebrate the arrival of world class soccer to Atlanta.
Decatur WatchFest ‘26 will offer 34-days of free music, games, activities and food and beverages on and around the newly renovated Decatur Square as fans watch the world’s top soccer matches.
- Every day of FIFA World Cup 26™ matches will be celebrated in Decatur during WatchFest ‘26
- All matches will be shown in Decatur’s Official WatchFest Soccer Pubs and Restaurants
- Select matches will be shown (pending FIFA approval) on three large screens on the newly renovated Decatur Square
- Nightly pre/post match concerts will feature named and local acts during Decatur WatchFest ‘26
With a MARTA stop in the middle of the City immediately beneath the festival site, Decatur is an easy direct train ride to the action at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Decatur is a Soccer Town
Soccer is huge in Decatur. From international viewing parties and pub crawls to Atlanta United and Decatur FC to the many recreational soccer leagues for adults and children, the four-square miles of Decatur are a soccer mecca. DecaturFC set a new WPSL attendance record twice in their inaugural season and was awarded franchise of the year (2024).
Decatur WatchFest is a partnership of the City of Decatur, the Decatur Downtown Development Authority, and the Decatur Tourism Bureau.
