Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71
Mercedes-Benz Stadium 1 AMB Dr Atlanta, GA 30313
Year Opened: 2017
Capacity: 71,000
The Mercedes-Benz of Pro Football Stadiums
Mercedes-Benz Stadium has served as the Falcon’s home nest since 2017. It replaced the Georgia Dome, which was located right next to the new stadium before it was imploded. It has been seen as the stadium of the future due to its unique design and the many high-tech features it includes. The current stadium has a capacity of 71,000, including 193 luxury suites. It offers a wide variety of advanced technology to enhance the fan experience on Sunday game days.
Food & Beverage 5
The food and beverage program introduced when the stadium opened in 2017 has truly been a game changer, and it has inspired the other NFL stadiums to follow suit. The main element of the concessions program is its fans-first pricing structure for the most popular items. The low prices for items including sodas, hot dogs, and popcorn make it possible for a family of four to be fed at a game without taking a bank loan. The results have been very impressive, as sales volume makes up for the revenue lost by selling items at a lower cost.
The concessions innovations also include the streamlining of the order process so that fans do not miss any of the action on the field when they go to the concession stand. Items are priced at whole dollar levels and the sales are on a cashless basis. This means that there is no need to make changes for the customer. Numerous ATM devices at the stadium can convert cash into a debit card for gameday purchases. Drink orders for sodas and water require that the concessions workers simply hand the customer a cup, which the customer can fill at a dispensing station located away from the stand, which reduces the backups that sometimes occur. An added perk for the fans is that refills are free.
The food and beverage program at Falcons home games is also fan-friendly due to the wide variety of food categories offered at the stadium. The generic stadium foods are found at the stands known as Atlanta FanFare. The remaining vendors are made up of a wide variety of Atlanta-based restaurants. Examples of these vendors include local favorites Farm Burger, J.R. Crickets, Molly B’s Restaurant, and Williamson Brothers BBQ. The concessions program also offers food for persons with certain dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian or gluten-free dishes.
The drink selections at Mercedes-Benz reflect the definite loyalty to a certain local bottler whose world headquarters is right down the street from the stadium. Yes, Coca-Cola products are featured at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Beer is sold at stands reflecting the various brands sold in the stadium. Budweiser is sold at the Budweiser Beer Garden, at Bud and Burger stands, and at the Bud Light Neighborhood Bar. There are similar stands for the other beer brands
Atmosphere 4
Mercedes-Benz Stadium has received excellent reviews from visiting teams, their fans, and the press. It is truly a next-generation facility, as it features some of the newest innovations in stadium design. The halo board is one of a kind, as it provides fans with information about the game on the field, as well as out-of-town scores and any upcoming events at the stadium. It is hard to ignore, as it is 58 feet tall and measures 1,100 linear feet around. This makes it the largest non-transparent video display in the world. The stadium also has a feature that allows for the roof to be open or closed depending on the weather. The position of the retractable roof also helps to determine how much crowd noise is contained within the stadium.
Neighborhood 4
The home of the Falcons is in downtown Atlanta, near some of the city’s top tourist attractions. These attractions include Centennial Olympic Park, the College Football Hall of Fame, the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, and the Center for Civil and Human Rights.
In 2024, the new Signia by Hilton Hotel opened adjacent to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, adding a convenient place for visiting fans to stay on football weekends. Other lodging options in the area are the Embassy Suites at Olympic Centennial Park and the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Downtown Atlanta. Restaurants in the area include the Hudson Grille and Der Biergarten.
Fans 3
Falcons fans are fired up for the 2024 season, as the team has a new coaching staff and has added two new quality QBs in Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix. The Falcons play in the Southern Division of the NFC Conference, which no longer has a dominant team. The Falcon faithful get especially fired up for their annual pair of games against their hated rival, the New Orleans Saints.
Longtime Falcon fans will want to head up to the 300-level concourse. This area has a wide selection of food stands as well as the “100 Yard Club. The concourse floor has the appearance of a football field, with yard markings and yard lines. The pillars throughout this area feature the likeness and stats of some of the team’s greatest players. The team’s Hall of Fame is known as the Ring of Honor and there is a display that features each Ring member’s stats and their photo. Both team owner Arthur Blank and former QB Matt Ryan were initiated into the Ring of Honor in 2024.
Access 3
Atlanta traffic, especially on weekends, can be tough. However, with a little planning, and some great resources, fans can be at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in plenty of time for the opening kickoff. Parking at the stadium opens 4.5 hours before the game and there’s usually a good showing of fans getting ready to tailgate even at that early hour. Hopefully, you pre-purchased your parking space ahead of gameday and you are all set.
Let’s say you got a late start. You are stuck in traffic. What do you do? The Falcons partner with the traffic app WAZE, so you check the app and get real-time info on any trouble on the road ahead and it also suggests alternative routes to get to Mercedes-Benz. Cutting it a little close, but you get there.
Let’s say you are from out of town and know very little about the streets in downtown Atlanta. You are staying in the suburbs; the front desk tells you about a MARTA light rail station nearby. MARTA is Atlanta’s rapid transit system with both a north/south line and an east/west line. The fare is a flat fee of $2.50 per ride, regardless of the distance. MARTA has two light rail stations (Vine City and GWCC/Phillips Arena/CNN Center) Both are within a block of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
You use Uber/Lyft or other rideshare services back home. Choose the ride service you refer to and leave the driving to them. The rideshare services have two drop-off and pickup areas near Mercedes-Benz Stadium (one is on Northside Drive on the western side of the stadium, and the second is along the eastern side of the stadium along Centennial Park Drive)
Now that you’re at Mercedes-Benz Stadium you can relax somewhat. There are four main gates with multiple lines available at each gate. The gates open 90 minutes before kickoff. Simply have your phone ready with the ticket showing, and the ticket reader will quickly let you into the stadium. Congratulations!
Return on Investment 3
Your return on investment at Falcons football game can be greatly enhanced by making some simple choices. Parking in one of the stadium lots can cost you more than $40. Taking the MARTA light rail system to the stadium will cost you $5.00 roundtrip, no matter how far you’ve ridden the system. Choosing items listed on the Family’s First menu costs a family of four less than $40. A concession next door might charge you $15-$20 for just one entrée.
Ticket prices start at $40 for upper-level (300-level) seats. Seats on the 100 and 200 level can cost upwards of $150. Frankly, the view from almost anywhere in Mercedes-Benz Stadium is pretty good, plus you have the multiple-story Halo Board showing replays of important plays on a huge screen that is larger than one in a movie theater.
You can also save money by attending a game where the opposing team is not a member of the Falcons division or conference. Games against New Orleans and other Division opponents are always more expensive, as the visitor’s fanbase has a relatively easy drive to attend a game.
Extras 4
Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosts a wide variety of sports events in addition to serving as the home field/ pitch for the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United. There are several NCAA football games on the venue’s calendar, including the Chik-Fil-A Kickoff Classic, the SEC Football Championship Game, the Chik-Fil-A Peach Bowl, and the Celebration Bowl, which pairs the top HBCU team from the MEAC against the top SWAC team. In 2025, the NCAA National Football Championship Game will also be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. In 2026 the facility will host several soccer matches during the World Cup competition.
The home of the Falcons has also been recognized for its efforts to minimize its carbon footprint and be friendly to the environment. It is the first LEED-certified facility in the NFL. Its efforts to trap rainwater, recycling of materials, and use of composting of leftover food make sure that 90% of waste never makes it to a landfill.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium has an above-average collection of art both outside and inside of the venue.
The gate closest to State Farm Arena has a four-story steel Falcon sculpture just before you go inside. His wingspan is 64 feet, making him the largest bird sculpture in the world. A second art installation is located near the gate closest to the Home Depot Backyard pregame area. It is a large soccer ball with several mirrored surfaces. It is known as Telstar, and it salutes Atlanta United, the other main tenant at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Once inside you’ll notice paintings, photography, and mixed media along each of the concourses.
There are several fan participation activities available both inside and outside of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Home Depot Backyard hosts a pregame pep rally, trivia contests, and various sports skills contests on the north side of the stadium. Once inside the stadium, head to the 100-level concourse where you can take part in the run, pass, and kicking activities. There is also a photo opportunity at section 221 with the AT&T fan cam. You can have your photo taken with projected images of Freddie the Falcon, or one of your favorite Falcon players.
Final Thoughts
Mercedes–Benz Stadium is continually looking for ways it can serve its community while tweaking its game day procedures to improve the fan experience. It has a strong record in this regard, as it annually hosts the SEC Championship game, is in the rotation for the College Football National Championship game, and hosts a Peach Bowl Game on New Year’s Day, it is a serious contender to host one or more World Cup games in 2026.
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