Photos: Centennial Yards to become massive pop-up during World Cup Josh GreenWed, 06/10/2026 - 12:50As 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 AtlantaCurrent state of Centennial Yards’ progress and outlook on future plans. Courtesy of Centennial YardsHere’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 CosmCosm’s frontage along Centennial Olympic Park Drive. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaLast but not least, The Irish Exit is planning to open Saturday (not Friday, as previously announced) 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. **…**Follow us on social media:Twitter / Facebook/and now: Instagram  • Downtown news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)Tags95 Centennial Olympic Park DriveCentennial Yards Hotel250 MARTIN Luther King Jr. Drive SWCentennial Yards apartmentsCooper CarryGulchNelson Street BridgeStevens & WilkinsonCIM GroupCentennial YardsTed Turner DriveFoster + PartnersBrian McGowanAtlanta ConstructionAtlanta DevelopmentGood Van Slyke ArchitecturePerkins & WillPerkins&WillTVSSOM DesignSkidmore Owings & MerrillWorld CupWorld Cup 2026CosmShared RealityTony ResslerDowntown Developmentdowntown constructionGenslerNBA FinalsThe MatrixHarry PotterAtlanta World CupThe Irish ExitRise ATLWorld Cup bars AtlantaGensler AtlantaGenslerImagesCurrent state of Centennial Yards’ progress and outlook on future plans. Courtesy of Centennial YardsWe begin at Centennial Yards’ Steele Bridge next to Wild Leap Brewery, where workers were installing a series of temporary, wooden bars Sunday. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaMLK Jr. Drive divides Centennial Yards’ first high-rise apartments and hotel. Painted bike lanes are recent additions. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaThe 304-unit Mitchell apartment building at Centennial Yards. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaWhere Khoa Thai Isan, a Thai tapas concept from 26 Thai, is expected to open a 4,730-square-foot space sometime this year at the base of The Mitchell. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaNew attire for The Benz—err, Atlanta Stadium—and the Signia by Hilton high-rise hotel. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaHow Cosm and a rising Live Nation, 5,300-seat concert venue front active rail. The venue is expected to open in 2027.Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaThe 292-key Hotel Phoenix (at right) and the Live Nation venue at Centennial Yards. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaMassive lighted signage at Centennial Yards includes this facing State Farm Arena. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaCosm’s frontage along Centennial Olympic Park Drive. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaCentennial Olympic Park Drive today, looking toward the core of downtown. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaThe sign-bedecked Hotel Phoenix. Zephyr Southern Brasserie opened in December at the hotel’s base. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaJosh Green/Urbanize AtlantaA main entry point to Centennial Yards’s Entertainment District, opposite the Hawks arena. This Fan Plaza can host up to 2,000 people, per officials. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaJosh Green/Urbanize AtlantaJosh Green/Urbanize AtlantaRecent plantings and curb work along Centennial Olympic Park Drive. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaCosm’s rooftop includes a bar and lounge area overlooking downtown coliseums. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaHow the easternmost retail flank of Centennial Yards has taken shape to date. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaIn the background is the 14-story, 260-key Virgin hotel recently announced for the district. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaJosh Green/Urbanize AtlantaHow future storefronts and the Virgin hotel are coming together.Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaHow Centennial Yards relates to the Gulch and the rest of downtown today. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaFacades for The Irish Exit, scheduled to open Saturday. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaInfrastructure in the former Gulch keeping the Entertainment District elevated. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaProtective buffer outside State Farm Arena that echoes bike lanes along Piedmont Park. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaDowntown crepe myrtles showing off for soccer fans. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaAs of Sunday, 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations underway around The Home Depot Backyard, in the shadow of The Benz. Josh Green/Urbanize AtlantaInteriors at The Irish Exit’s NYC location lend an idea what’s in store for Centennial Yards. Courtesy of CIM Group/Centennial YardsA closer look at Cosm’s facade at the new Entertainment District. Courtesy of CosmCourtesy of CosmCourtesy of CosmCourtesy of CosmCourtesy of CosmCourtesy of CosmCourtesy of CosmSubtitleTemporary “Rise ATL” district to join new additions Cosm immersive venue, NYC-based Irish pub conceptNeighborhoodDowntownBackground ImageImageAssociated ProjectCentennial Yards - 125 Ted Turner Dr SWOne Centennial YardsBefore/After ImagesSponsored PostOff

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