FIFA World Cup: Nearly 100 drones seized flying around for Atlanta Stadium

By Courtney Francisco at WSB-TV (ABC) - News · July 16, 2026 · 2 min read

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said agents have seized at least 95 drones flying around Mercedes-Benz Stadium, currently known as Atlanta Stadium, during World Cup events.That number could change. The no-fly zone law is in effect until July 21. The change took effect June.So far, pilots impa...

Why this matters in The Atlanta

The seizure of nearly 100 drones around Atlanta Stadium during World Cup events underscores the city's efforts to balance public safety with the growing use of drones in the area. Local drone pilots like Bill Cross are aware of the no-fly zones in place, which extend to three miles around the stadium on match days, and the potential consequences of violating them. The swift response by the FBI to seize drones and issue tickets to pilots highlights the seriousness with which authorities are treating this issue. As the World Cup events continue, residents can expect to see a strong police presence around the stadium, with other counties and cities also implementing no-drone zones to protect crowds. The fact that pilots can be tracked and their drones taken down by law enforcement serves as a deterrent to those who would disregard the no-fly zones, and the community can expect a continued emphasis on safety and security in the area.

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Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News. The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News. Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: local · Published: July 16, 2026 · Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News · Reading time: 2 min

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