The 2024 Democratic National Convention begins today at the United Center in Chicago, but if Atlanta had prevailed, the event would have been live from State Farm Arena.

Atlanta was a finalist to host the convention. If the city’s bid had won, parts of the downtown Atlanta skyline would enjoy their moment in the political spotlight this week. Here’s a reminder of some of the facilities that would have supported the main events proposed for State Farm Arena:

Other convention activities would have been nearby at the Georgia World Congress Center and the 220-acre Greater Convention Complex, home to Centennial Olympic Park, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the former CNN Center (now called The Center) and College Football Hall of Fame.

The Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau said lodging would have included 15,000 rooms at nearly 70 hotels in downtown, Midtown and Buckhead.

And State Farm Arena would have gotten a face-lift for the event, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported in 2023.

-This article includes previous reporting by Riley Bunch.

Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, from left, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams speak to journalists after touring State Farm Arena in 2022 as part of Atlanta’s bid to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Ben Gray for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Credit: Ben Gray for the AJC

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Credit: Ben Gray for the AJC

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