Atlanta is where art, culture, and soccer come together!🎨⚽️
The official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Atlanta Poster is here! Thank you to @atlutd artist @jhadathy , for designing Atlanta’s poster and capturing the culture of Atlanta and the excitement of the world’s biggest stage coming to our region!
#FIFAWorldCup #WeAreAtlanta #WeAre26
Still doesn't seem real but today was my first day as Senior Graphic Designer for @atlutd , @atlantafalcons , and @mercedesbenzstadium at AMB Sports + Entertainment. So excited to work with a team of incredibly talented creatives. It has always been my dream to combine my passion for soccer and art 🙏🏼
Photo by @mitchmartinphoto
I was recently featured on the series "FIFA World Cup 2026 Stories From the Cities"
You can watch the full episode on @foxsports
It was a special interview and I got to go on the roof of @mercedesbenzstadium for the first time 🌤️
Our retail collab with @sweetwaterbrew was really fun to work on, both during the design process and while shooting the campaign. Shout out to the talented crew behind this launch!
📸 by @mitchmartinphoto and @nomadic_lens_
This year's Season Ticket Member gift was a true labor of love full of problem solving and experimentation, but I couldn't be happier with the final result. I've always loved architecture maquettes and building miniatures, and ever since @mercedesbenzstadium was built, I've wanted to have a replica to put in my studio.
We knew we wanted this year's gift to be special, so we designed a medal from the @atlutd crest to resemble the 1996 Olympic gold medals. We also included 4 pins as a nod to the collectible pins from 1996.
A premium unboxing experience is the cherry on top, so this seemed like a great opportunity to attempt to make a box shaped like the stadium. I started mapping out the design using pen and paper, making many mockups held together by tape until I found a design that seemed possible. We sent it to our manufacturer who after many tries was able to replicate my paper design into an actual cardboard model that was approved for mass manufacturing. I then designed the exterior and interior walls, and we figured out how to package it all together.
Super proud of everyone involved with getting this project in the hands of our thousands of season ticket members. @maggie.sellars@runshellrun25@nishaatlanta404@larryluk@tuckerjbrooks@sierrakelley@laramiediestelkamp@abigailjacksn@graceberhard@kluch53@darbyrayrose@kaceycovino@mike.ridley9 and many more
⭐ MEET THE ARTISTS ⭐
Throughout the voting period for the 2026 Peachtree T-shirt Design Contest, we’re highlighting the individual artists who made it to the final five. Today, we’re featuring Jose Hadathy, designer of “Look Closer, Atlanta.”
Jose Hadathy is an Atlanta-based illustrator and graphic designer whose work is deeply rooted in both sport and culture. Born in Quito, Ecuador and raised in Atlanta from a young age, he studied Illustration and Fine Art at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta before building a career that now spans more than a decade. Currently serving as Creative Design Manager for @atlutd , Hadathy has become a prominent voice in the city’s creative sports scene, with recent highlights including designing the official FIFA World Cup 2026 Atlanta Host City Poster.
The Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race holds special meaning for Hadathy, both professionally and personally. A longtime admirer of the race’s iconic T-shirt tradition, he saw this year’s contest as a full-circle moment, coinciding with the World Cup’s arrival in Atlanta and his own recovery from a knee injury. As a first-time race participant and finalist designer, his “Look Closer Atlanta” design celebrates the landmarks along Peachtree Road, cleverly spelling out the race’s namesake and honoring one of Atlanta’s most enduring traditions.
“Being a finalist for the shirt design while training for my first race makes this experience more than just a design project,” he said. “It’s the celebration of getting back on my feet alongside the rest of the city.”
You can vote for your favorite design once a day, every day until April 10 in the AJC News app!
As Atlanta gears up to be a host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Atlanta-based illustrator and designer José Hadathy was chosen to represent Atlanta on the global stage as the designer of the Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Atlanta Host City Poster. Born in Quito, Ecuador and raised in Atlanta, his work reflects both global perspective and deep local knowledge.
At Wine & Design, hear directly from Hadathy as he shares how research, illustration, and symbolism came together to represent Atlanta in a single image. Get an inside look at the creative decisions behind one of the city’s most visible design commissions, and get a chance to chat with the designer behind the work!
Register via link in bio.
Join us for a special edition of Wine & Design on March 12 featuring Atlanta-based illustrator and designer José Hadathy (@jhadathy ), the designer behind the Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Atlanta Host City Poster.
Held during Public Notice: The 2025 U.S. International Poster Biennial, the evening explores how posters shape identity and civic pride. Over wine, Hadathy will share his creative process designing and representing Atlanta on a global stage, followed by conversation and audience Q&A.
You won’t want to miss out! Register via our link in bio.
Today we launched our Spirit of '96 Collection to accompany our new kit. I couldn't be prouder of our team for what we were able to create.
The 1996 Olympics are special to me because that is the first time I heard about Atlanta, back when I was just a 4 year old in Ecuador watching our country win our very first Olympic gold medal. I didn't know it at the time but Atlanta would eventually become my home and the city that would shape me into the person I am today. Before I worked for Atlanta United I had created a jersey that had details inspired by the Olympics, so this feels like a true full circle moment.
Designing a collection inspired by the iconic merch that came out of that era is surreal and something I'll never forget. We did a lot of research into what made those original pieces so special, and worked with @lbfutbol to make sure we got the details correct.
Besides some of the pieces in this collection, I also got to design a soccer ball based on the one that was used in the 1996 Olympics, and the ATL mark that is on the back of the new @atlutd kits.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this a reality.
Photos by @mitchmartinphoto@brandonmagnus_photo
Building the stage for history 🏗️⚽️
Behind the scenes of the set design for the @atlutd "Spirit of '96" kit launch. We wanted a physical environment that felt like a deconstructed football pitch where the kit would be the focal point. Large rectangular shapes were used to imply victory podiums and served as a subtle nod to the '96 Games.
Bringing a 16-foot structure to life takes an entire squad of talented humans:
📐 Set Design & Concept: AMBSE Creative Team
🔨 Build Lead: @whatiliketodosometimes
📸 Photography: @mitchmartinphoto@nomadic_lens_@emjhendrix
💡 Lighting: @todd_burandt
#atlutd #setdesign #creativedirection #soccerdesign #productiondesign
