Following seven weeks of programming consisting of Soccer Celebration presented by Discount Tire watch parties, live music and family friendly entertainment, the 2026 Visit Music City Summer Kickoff will culminate with one of the most anticipated MLS matches of the season when Nashville SC hosts Atlanta United FC at GEODIS Park on Friday, July 17 after a two-month FIFA World Cup 2026™ schedule pause in the lead up to the FIFA World Cup 26™ Final on Sunday, July 19.
"Part of the vision for GEODIS Park has always been to serve as a world-class sports and entertainment venue capable of bringing the Nashville and Middle Tennessee community together outside of match days," said Nashville SC Chief Business Officer Lindsey Paola. "The FIFA World Cup 2026™ schedule pause affords us a wonderful opportunity to start a new tradition in Nashville with our inaugural 2026 Visit Music City Summer Kickoff, and we look forward to building on this year’s event during future summer seasons."
“We’re seeing continued strength in our tourism industry, and it’s driven in large part by the very events and concerts that are part of Summer Kickoff,” said Deana Ivey, President and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “Summer Kickoff brings together soccer and great live music in a way that only Music City can. There’s truly something for everyone to enjoy, from concerts to World Cup watch parties and kid-friendly activities for visitors and our local community.”
“Hometown shows just hit different,” said Thomas Rhett. "Kicking off my tour this summer at GEODIS Park is going to be insane, especially getting to do it with my buddy, Niall. It’s a bucket list moment for sure.”
Details regarding additional events, parking and more for the 2026 Visit Music City Summer Kickoff will be released between now and June at NashvilleSC.com, GEODISPark.com, visitmusiccity.com and via social media at @NashhvilleSC, @GEODISPark and @visitmusiccity.
2026 Visit Music City Summer Kickoff Lineup:
- Nashville SC Soccer Celebration presented by Discount Tire (Free FIFA World Cup 26™ live viewings)
- June 12 - USA vs Paraguay (Publix Plaza at GEODIS Park)
- June 19 - USA vs Australia (Centennial Park where the city’s Juneteenth615 Festival is also taking place that evening)
- June 25 - USA vs Turkey (Publix Plaza at GEODIS Park)
- Additional live viewings to be announced at a later date
Concerts:
- June 19 - Forrest Frank (Sold Out)
- July 9 - Thomas Rhett & Niall Horan (Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com)
- Additional concerts TBD
Cultural, Community and Family Events:
- June 1-2 & June 4-5 – Youth Soccer Camps
- June 13 - The InterNASHional Night Market hosted by TIRRC
- June 24 – Nashville SC Season Ticket Member exclusive event
- June 28 - Fourth Annual Dash at the Castle 5K Night Run
- Additional events TBD
Grand Finale
- July 17 - Nashville SC vs Atlanta United FC at GEODIS Park (FIFA World Cup 26™ Final weekend)
MEDIA RESOURCES:
About Nashville SC
Nashville SC joined Major League Soccer on Feb. 29, 2020 in front of the largest attendance ever recorded for a soccer match in the State of Tennessee and won its first trophy and the first major professional sports championship in Tennessee history with its victory in the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. In its inaugural MLS season, Nashville SC defied expectations by becoming the second MLS expansion side to win and advance to the Conference Semifinals in the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. Nashville SC returned to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in its sophomore campaign after becoming just the seventh team in MLS history to go unbeaten at home in a season. The Boys in Gold again qualified for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in 2022, 2023, and 2025, becoming just the third team in league history to reach the postseason during the team's first four years in existence and the ninth to do so in five of its first six seasons. Nashville SC inaugurated GEODIS Park, the largest soccer-specific stadium in the United States and Canada, in front of a sellout crowd of 30,109 on May 1, 2022. For more information, visit NashvilleSC.com and follow the club at @NashvilleSC on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, and Spotify.
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