Author: Joe Ripley

ATLANTA — Throughout the FIFA World Cup, a newly-reimagined space in Atlanta is serving as a central hub for fans. The CTR recently reopened just in time for the city’s eight World Cup matches. The CTR has already hosted thousands of soccer fans from all over the world.

From the bar to gear, fans are taking advantage of the place with a long history in Atlanta.

Ryan Howard, senior vice president of construction and development for the CTR’s owner, CP Group, said the site formerly known as the CNN Center will host watch parties and feature a bar, food vendors and a merchandise shop during the World Cup. Howard called it an entertainment hub that hadn’t strayed from its roots.

“To be just a venue, a place for people to gather,” Howard said. “We call it the CTR because geographically, physically it really is in the center of what’s going on here. It was built in the 70s, a mixed-use development with an ice rink and an amusement park that so many people have memories of.”

The CTR will also be home to the Atlanta Cultural Exchange on non-match days. The creative hub will feature live performances, film screenings, workshops and community events. Adriane Jefferson said it was a cultural embassy for the city.

“What we’re really looking at this is as a bridge,” Jefferson said. “We want to make sure this is for the world, we’re welcoming the world, but this is also for Atlanta. We want to make sure there’s an opportunity for continual unity and community to be had during this time.”

City leaders want to use the World Cup to invest in local artists, activate neighborhoods and leave a lasting cultural impact across Atlanta. It’s a goal that aligns with the future of the CTR moving forward.

“Big force in the media world for so long, and Ted (Turner) did such amazing things for Atlanta that we don’t want to lose any of that,” Howard said. “We don’t want people to forget about those things. But at the same time we can’t just look at the past. We’ve got to look to the future and recognize this area here is changing, the world is changing, people’s wants and needs change.”

The Atlanta Cultural Exchange runs through July 15. Beyond the World Cup, the CTR will cater to fans of sports, media and entertainment with games, concerts and events throughout the year.