As visitors from around the globe start trickling into downtown Atlanta, they’ll be seeing a festive and growing but clearly work-in-progress affair. 

Exhibit A, in the shadow of 2026 FIFA World Cup’s Atlanta Stadium, is Centennial Yards. 

Two more businesses (Cosm and The Irish Exit) are scheduled to officially join the former Gulch’s under-construction Entertainment District this week, as plans start rolling out for a large-scale, immersive pop-up that Centennial Yards officials have dubbed “Rise ATL.” 

Project leaders tell Urbanize Atlanta the Rise ATL pop-up will take over the Entertainment District between Thursday and July 15. It’s timed to the official FIFA Fan Festival taking place down the street at Centennial Olympic Park, and the goal is to create “a seamless double-feature experience” for all downtown visitors. 

Expect a rotating lineup of food and drink and appearances from future Centennial Yards tenants (signings include Busy Bee Café, Shake Shack, Chops Lobster Bar, and others), alongside local brands such as King of Pops and Arden’s Garden. 

How future storefronts and the Virgin hotel are coming together.Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Current state of Centennial Yards' progress and outlook on future plans. Courtesy of Centennial Yards

Here’s the official pop-up pitch: 

“Designed as more than a watch spot, Rise ATL delivers a high-energy, experiential fan destination, featuring interactive activations curated by Centennial Yards,” reads an emailed description. “Highlights include a custom hat bar, an immersive caricature booth, and bespoke merchandise such as limited-edition soccer scarves, apparel, and stadium-ready clear bags—offering fans a chance to create personalized, Atlanta-inspired keepsakes.”

Meanwhile, Cosm Atlanta is set to officially open this evening for a “Shared Reality” presentation of the NBA Finals Game 4, following a celebrity-studded preview Friday. 

Cosm plans to feature 40 total matches at its new downtown digs—the third in the U.S. and first on the East Coast—throughout FIFA World Cup 2026. The Gensler-designed, 70,000-square-foot facility is considered an anchor of Centennial Yard’s Sports and Entertainment District. 

The main theater counts 500 seats and an 87-foot-diameter, 12K+ LED dome, according to Gensler officials. 

Courtesy of Cosm

Cosm's frontage along Centennial Olympic Park Drive. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Last but not least, The Irish Exit is planning to open Friday in a storefront space that overlooks downtown and what remains of the Gulch. The concept from New York City-based The Dead Rabbit Group includes a mechanical clapperboard with live updates from both State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Cool touch. 

In the gallery above, find a thorough photo tour that paints the picture of how Centennial Yards has come together, now that FIFA World Cup is finally here. 

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