Ciara Shares Her Favorite Places to Visit in Atlanta—and Her Top Tips for the World Cup

Ciara is known as a singer and songwriter, but she’s also an avid sports fan. Ciara is often spotted supporting her husband, New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson, but football isn’t her only sporty passion. The Grammy winner is also a huge soccer fan, and she could not be more excited for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, taking place from June 11 to July 19 across 16 cities in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada—including her hometown, Atlanta. Travel + Leisure recently interviewed Ciara about her ideal match day in Atlanta, teaming up with On Location for the World Cup, and her worst travel mishap.

If you are planning to travel to Atlanta for a World Cup game, you could not have a better guide than Ciara, who spent much of her youth here, including her formative years starting out in the music industry. “From lively music to good food and street art, Atlanta has it all. I’d start my day by heading downtown and grabbing breakfast at Grits and Eggs. I’d then go to Centennial Olympic Park, where the FIFA Fan Festival is held, to try some of Atlanta’s iconic foods like shrimp and grits or lemon pepper wings, catch some live music, and experience the fans celebrating together before the game,” she told T+L. Of course, her ideal World Cup day also includes watching the match with On Location, the official hospitality provider for the 2026 event. “With On Location, you’re not just getting a seat—you’re getting access to pitch-side lounges, an up-close field view, and incredible locally inspired food and drinks. The energy is electric, and I love getting hype with my family before the game even begins. That’s my perfect match day experience.”

Through her partnership with On Location, Ciara will be serving as a “Captain” of her host city in the Starting 16 Captain program that includes fellow celebrity hosts Carmelo Anthony, Cobie Smulders, Miguel Layún, and Rob Lowe. In addition to helping fans fully immerse themselves in the sport and experience Atlanta’s culture, Ciara will also be curating an official World Cup playlist (coming soon!) that melds the worlds of music and soccer.

If you have a few days to explore Atlanta before or after a match, Ciara says her must-sees are the Georgia Aquarium and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, which helps visitors “really see and feel the history of Atlanta.” She noted that she and her family love finding outdoor spots, and the Botanical Gardens and the Beltline are some of their favorite places to visit when they are in Atlanta. Other must-visit spots? “The Ponce Market for a view of the city with some local bites, and the Krog Street Tunnel for the street art murals that my kids absolutely love.”

Her other top tip for attending the World Cup in Atlanta or any host city? “Walking the city before the match! You see so much when you slow down and explore the street art, unique neighborhoods, and local spots. Whenever I travel, I always try to connect with the local spots to truly feel the culture of the city. Atlanta is very walkable, and I always tell people when you walk through a city, you uncover things that you’d never see from a car. I love when that local feeling follows you throughout your day.”

Fans can find that local feeling in the World Cup stadiums as well. “The food and drinks are inspired by the local flavor of each host city, so what fans experience in Atlanta will feel completely different from what they get in LA or Miami. That authenticity matters to me. It’s the same reason I try to find local food halls and historic sites whenever I’m somewhere new. You want to feel a city, not pass through it.”

When it comes to actually traveling between destinations, Ciara does not like to be rushed when getting to the airport. “For a long-haul flight, I want to ease into it. I do not want to feel rushed, so I try to arrive early. Once I’m through security, it’s all about getting centered. I’ll find a calm spot, put my headphones on, maybe play a little ‘Goodies’ or something chill to get in my zone,” she said. “And right before boarding, I’m doing a quick reset with a deep breath, gratitude moment, just grounding myself. Once I step on that plane, it’s rest, recharge, and glide.” A pre-flight terminal walk also helps to keep the energy flowing, and she makes sure she has a cozy blanket or socks for a long-haul flight. 

She does try to pack smart, but you probably won’t catch the actress and dancer trying to be a carry-on-only traveler. “I pack smart, but I’m not limiting myself to just a carry-on. If I’m stepping out in a new city, you never know what mood you’re going to wake up in, and I need outfits to match every version of me. Now, don’t get it twisted! I keep it organized. Everything has a place, everything makes sense. No chaos in my suitcase. But I’m not pulling up with just a tiny roller!”

She always brings a good set of headphones, OAM Skin’s 20% Vitamin C Brightening Serum (“so that I can feel refreshed and glowy at any point”), and a fresh change of clothes on the plane. She learned to pack at least one outfit in her carry-on after a travel mishap, when she made it to Vegas for an appearance, but her bags did not. She had an event that night and all the shops were closed, so she had to wear her plane outfit to the event. “I felt so bad! It felt terrible when it happened, but it did make for a great story to tell.”