World Cup brings business boost to downtown Augusta as construction continues

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Downtown Augusta construction continues to impact businesses as work speeds up, with most of the activity centered around Broad Street.

Construction crews are working in the heat as they prepare to work on 6th and 5th streets later this month. Leaders expect construction to finish in December 2026.

But the World Cup could provide relief for businesses struggling with the construction impacts.

World Cup draws crowds downtown

A United States World Cup goal brought cheers from soccer fans gathered in downtown Augusta.

“It’s something I’ve been in love with since I was a kid,” said Sean Brandes, a soccer fan.

Brandes and Dean Meyer founded Augusta’s Premier League Supporters Club.

“Supporting the sport we love so much,” Meyer said.

David Jones was celebrating his World Cup run at the same venue. Jones coaches the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team and just returned from coaching the national over-40 team to third place in the Senior World Cup.

Local bar fosters soccer community

On Broad Street, Shawn Moseley opened Emil’s to foster the city’s small but passionate soccer community.

“Running the bar you see every day I have a Liverpool shirt on and someone’s like ‘oh.’ Or we have a match on, and they’re like ‘oh,’” Moseley said.

Moseley said the community makes Emil’s special. He hopes it grows with soccer on the nation’s main stage.

“You find a group, and you’re like, ‘Oh my friend Tony’s a Liverpool supporter,’ and next thing you know, you’ve got 30 people on an email list for a small bar in downtown Augusta,” Moseley said.

The bar serves as a gathering place for soccer fans across the area as the World Cup returns to American soil.