Mercedes-Benz Stadium - Atlanta Falcons
- Lloyd Brown
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00
Mercedes-Benz Stadium 1 AMB Dr Atlanta, GA 30313
Year Opened: 2017
Capacity: 71,000
The Falcons' Home Nest Is One Of The Best
The Atlanta Falcons have called three stadiums home since they joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1966. The first was Atlanta Fulton County Stadium, the second was the Georgia Dome. They began playing in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2017. Mercedes-Benz Stadium has been hailed as one of the next generation of sports venues due to its advanced technological features, its very successful sustainability efforts, and its “fans first” concessions program.
Food & Beverage 5
Mercedes-Benz Stadium was a pioneer in the NFL with its Fans’ First Concessions program. This program offers stadium basics at value prices. This includes stadium standards such as hot dogs (2), sodas ($2), pizza ($3), nachos ($3), fries ($3), and beer ($5). Soft drink refills are free at all stadium concession stands.
The stadium also features several local eateries in its concession offerings. They include Fox Brothers BBQ, Farm Burger, Delia’s Chicken Sausage Stand, Sublime Doughnuts, Molly B’s Kitchen, and Sweetwater Brewing Company. Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A has several locations throughout the stadium, but they are not open on Sundays.
Atmosphere 4
The fun begins hours before the kickoff in the Home Depot Backyard, the tailgate area located just north of the stadium. Activities include a pep rally, photos with Freddie the Falcon, food tents, music performances, sports skill contests, and some great fan giveaways.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium has received rave reviews from both home and visiting fans due to its innovative design and unique features. The halo board above the field was the first of its kind and offers terrific replays of important plays during the game. The stadium can open or close its roof, depending on the weather in the area. When the roof is closed, the crowd noise can be deafening, and a big advantage for the Falcons.
The 300-level concourse offers a terrific look at the history of the Falcons franchise. It is known as the “100-yard club". The concourse floor looks like a football field, with yard lines and markings. The pillars in this section feature the likeness and stats of some of the team’s greatest players. The Falcons Hall of Fame is known as The Ring of Honor, and its most recent inductees are team owner Arthur Blank and former QB Matt Ryan.
Neighborhood 4
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is located within a few blocks of Atlanta’s top tourist attractions. State Farm Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks, is next door to the stadium. The College Football Hall of Fame is within walking distance of the stadium. Other sites of interest include the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, and the Center for Human and Civil Rights. These are all located within Centennial Olympic Park.
Fans 3
Football fans in the South are known for their rabid support of their teams. Falcon’s fans are no different. They begin the season with high hopes, filling the stadium and creating quite a loud environment when the roof is closed at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Unfortunately, the Falcons have only been to two Super Bowls in their history. They’ve really never gotten over their Super Bowl loss to the Patriots after leading 28-3 at halftime. What we are trying to say is that fan support starts at the highest level at the beginning of the season and can drop off dramatically once the team falls out of playoff contention.
That being said, the Falcons have great rivalries with two of their NFC South opponents, the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers.
Access 3
Parking at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is typically purchased on a season ticket basis. Traffic on the interstate highway system is slow on weekends, especially when multiple downtown events are being held. If you must travel by car, it is a good idea to use the WAZE app to guide you past any traffic snarls.
We recommend you use public transportation to get to Falcons games. The MARTA rapid rail system has two stations (Vine City and the SEC (Sports/Entertainment/ Conventions) Station serving Mercedes- Benz Stadium. It is a very time-saving and cost-effective way to reach the stadium, compared to other means of transportation.
The rideshare pickup/delivery areas are located several blocks from Mercedes-Benz Stadium along both Northside Drive and Centennial Park Drive.
Once you arrive at the stadium, the gates open 90 minutes before kickoff. There are four main gates into the stadium, with multiple lines at each gate.
Return on Investment 4
The Falcons have a relatively large season ticket base, especially considering the cost of a PSL. Individual game tickets can vary greatly on the secondary market. Tickets against a division rival (especially Carolina and New Orleans) can cost more than $100 for seats at the 300 level of the stadium. However, games against non-conference teams can drop ticket prices dramatically.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium pioneered the concept of cashless purchases and value menu items to keep costs down for fans, while also speeding up the ordering process. This is known as the Fans First Food Experience. It has been extremely popular since its inception.
Parking at one of the stadium-owned lots can cost more than $50. The MARTA rapid rail system can deliver fans to the stadium for $2.50 each way per person, no matter how far you travel on the system.
Extras 5
Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host eight matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition. Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host Super Bowl LXII in 2028.
The stadium hosted some of the largest concerts ever held in the Atlanta area, including concerts featuring Garth Brooks, the Rolling Stones, Beyoncé, Elton John, and Taylor Swift.
The stadium was the first LEED-certified venue in the NFL. It was recognized for its efforts to trap rainwater, recycle materials, compost leftover food, and make sure 90% of waste never makes it to a landfill.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is also home to the largest bird sculpture in the world. This falcon’s wingspan is more than 64 feet, and he is more than four stories tall.
Final Thoughts
Mercedes-Benz Stadium remains one of the most innovative stadiums in the NFL and in the world. Its cutting-edge technology and one-of-a-kind design still amaze visitors when they see it in person.
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