DeKalb launches 'DeKalb United' sports commission to coordinate World Cup activations and year‑round events

DeKalb County on Tuesday moved forward with municipal and business outreach for a new DeKalb United Sports Commission aimed at coordinating countywide activities tied to the upcoming FIFA World Cup and other major sporting events. County CEO Cochran Johnson told the Planning, Economic Development and Community Services (PECS) committee that the commission will centralize planning and communication between government agencies, local businesses, colleges and community organizations so DeKalb can "maximize the opportunity" presented by large regional events.

The commission’s stated purpose is to provide a strategic framework for stakeholder coordination, increase DeKalb’s visibility and readiness for large events, and create economic opportunities for residents and local businesses. "This gives us the framework that we need to bring together stakeholders that will be important in ensuring that we maximize opportunities," CEO Cochran Johnson said. She noted the World Cup is far larger than a Super Bowl and said ongoing activations could extend through other major events in the region.

Discover DeKalb representative James Sismanakis described a public website and the county’s initial list of watch‑party locations, including the…