parks
Vendors outside FIFA Fan Festival say they’re not making as many sales as they hoped
By Courtney Francisco at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· July 2, 2026
· 2 min read
Outside Atlanta ’s FIFA Fan Festival on Wednesday, local vendors said they are struggling.“That just doesn’t feel right,” Olive Hines told Channel 2’s Courtney Francisco.Hines has been a vendor selling ice cream and souvenirs near Centennial Olympic Park for more than a decade. He, like others the...
Key takeaway “That just doesn’t feel right,” Olive Hines told Channel 2’s Courtney Francisco.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The struggles of local vendors outside the FIFA Fan Festival raise concerns about the economic impact of large events on small businesses in Atlanta. While the city benefits from hosting international events, the benefits may not trickle down to local entrepreneurs. The festival's setup, which funnels visitors into specific areas, may be limiting the exposure and sales of small vendors like Olive Hines, who has been a fixture near Centennial Olympic Park for over a decade. This issue is not unique to Atlanta, as visitors have noted similar situations in other host cities. The city's efforts to support local businesses during large events will be crucial in ensuring that these events are a success for the entire community, not just a select few. As the FIFA World Cup continues, it will be worth watching how the city and event organizers respond to the concerns of local vendors and work to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for small businesses.
About this story
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: parks ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Outside Atlanta’s FIFA Fan Festival on Wednesday, local vendors said they are struggling.“That just doesn’t feel right,” Olive Hines told Channel 2’s Courtney Francisco.Hines has been a vendor selling ice cream and souvenirs near Centennial Olympic Park for more than a decade. He, like others the...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Courtney Francisco at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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