Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a state-of-the-art venue nestled in the heart of downtown Atlanta, Georgia, has quickly become an iconic landmark since its opening in August 2017. Serving as the proud home for both the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and MLS’s Atlanta United, this stadium offers an unparalleled experience for sports enthusiasts and event-goers alike. Replacing the Georgia Dome, Mercedes-Benz Stadium not only elevates the fan experience but also contributes significantly to Atlanta’s vibrant sports and entertainment scene.
Adjacent to where the Georgia Dome once stood, Mercedes-Benz Stadium has transformed the area into a bustling hub. The former site of the Georgia Dome is now the Home Depot Backyard, a community space perfect for tailgating and various events, further enhancing the stadium’s appeal and integration with the city.
Upcoming Events at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Excited to experience the action inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium? You can easily explore upcoming events and secure your tickets directly through Ticketmaster. Don’t miss out on the thrilling games, concerts, and shows that this premier venue has to offer.
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View of the field and retractable roof inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium
A Look Inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s History
As one of the newest stadiums in both the NFL and MLS, Mercedes-Benz Stadium boasts a rich, albeit short, history. Its journey began in May 2010 when the Atlanta Falcons initiated discussions about replacing the Georgia Dome with a more modern facility. Initially, the plan was to maintain the Georgia Dome for non-NFL events, but the vision evolved into creating a completely new, cutting-edge stadium.
In 2012, negotiations between the Falcons and the city of Atlanta progressed, culminating in a groundbreaking agreement on March 7, 2013, to construct the new stadium. Ground was broken on May 19, 2014, with an ambitious target opening date of March 1, 2017. However, due to construction delays, the grand opening was shifted to August 26, 2017, marked by an NFL preseason game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Arizona Cardinals.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is instantly recognizable for its breathtaking retractable roof, a pinwheel-inspired design composed of eight triangular panels. The roof’s circular opening draws inspiration from the iconic Roman Pantheon, adding an architectural marvel to the stadium’s features. Beneath this innovative roof hangs the Halo, a massive 58-foot by 1,100-foot video board. At the time of its installation, the Halo was a groundbreaking feature, dwarfing the next largest NFL video board at Jacksonville’s EverBank Field by threefold.
Despite its recent construction, Mercedes-Benz Stadium has already hosted a plethora of major events. Prior to its completion, it was announced in 2015 that the stadium would be the venue for Super Bowl LIII in 2019. Annually, it hosts prestigious college football games including the SEC Championship game, Celebration Bowl, Peach Bowl, and Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game. Adding to its collegiate presence, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets play one home game each year at the stadium between 2021 and 2026. In 2018, it was the stage for the College Football Playoff National Championship between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs.
As the home ground for Atlanta United FC, Mercedes-Benz Stadium has become a landmark destination in MLS, consistently setting attendance records. Notably, the 2018 MLS Cup witnessed a crowd of 73,019 fans cheering Atlanta United to a 2-0 victory over the Portland Timbers.
Looking ahead, Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s global significance will further escalate as it has been selected as one of the 11 U.S. venues to host matches for the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Beyond sports, Mercedes-Benz Stadium has also become a sought-after concert venue, attracting world-renowned musicians since its inception. Garth Brooks inaugurated the concert scene on October 12, 2017, as part of his World Tour. Taylor Swift’s phenomenal Reputation tour sold out consecutive nights in 2018, drawing a total attendance of 116,746 fans over both nights.
Parking and Getting into Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Located in Atlanta’s vibrant downtown sports and entertainment district, Mercedes-Benz Stadium is surrounded by ample parking options. Within a 20-minute walk, visitors can find over 20,000 parking spots. It’s important to note that parking rates can fluctuate depending on the specific event and are managed independently of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For detailed parking information and to pre-purchase parking passes for your event, please visit www.parking.mercedesbenzstadium.com.
For those opting for public transportation, the MARTA station located on the northwest side of the stadium offers convenient access. A dedicated pedestrian bridge directly connects the station to the stadium, ensuring a safe and easy walk for fans.
Exclusive Mercedes-Benz Parking Perks
Do you drive a Mercedes-Benz? If so, you can enjoy complimentary parking at Mercedes-Benz Stadium! By reserving a spot in the dedicated Mercedes-Benz Lot in advance through the ParkMobile app, you can take advantage of this special perk. The Mercedes-Benz Lot is conveniently situated across from The Backyard, at the corner of Magnolia and Northside Dr.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium Bag Policy: What to Bring and What to Leave Behind
To ensure smooth entry and fan safety, Mercedes-Benz Stadium has a clear bag policy. It is recommended to arrive early, with gates typically opening one and a half hours before kickoff for Falcons and United games, though times can vary for other events. All attendees are required to pass through metal detectors upon entry. If necessary, secondary screening with handheld detectors will be conducted after checking pockets.
Aligning with NFL guidelines, Mercedes-Benz Stadium strictly regulates bags allowed inside. The permitted bags are as follows:
- Clear plastic bags no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″
- One-gallon resealable clear freezer bags
- Small women’s clutch purses, maximum size 4.5″ x 6.5″
- Medically necessary bags for guests with medical needs
All items are subject to inspection, and any bags not meeting these criteria will be prohibited.
Capacity and Seating Choices Inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s flexible design allows for varying capacities depending on the type of event. For football games, the stadium officially seats 71,000 fans, with the ability to expand up to 75,000. For soccer matches, the configuration accommodates 42,500 spectators, expandable to 71,000. The stadium’s record attendance for a sporting event was set at the 2022 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, with an impressive 79,330 fans.
For a premium experience, Mercedes-Benz Stadium offers a wide array of club and suite options. With 7,500 club seats and 100,000 square feet of dedicated space, luxury is a hallmark of the suite experience. Seating choices include field-level terraces providing exceptional views and upscale dining, as well as upper-level suites offering prime seating arrangements for groups.
Finding Your Best Seat Inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Determining the “best seats” is subjective and depends on the event and personal preferences. Explore the Mercedes-Benz Stadium seating charts to find the perfect spot for your next event.
Delicious Food and Beverage Options Inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium
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Mercedes-Benz Stadium has earned acclaim for its outstanding fan experience, particularly its commitment to affordable and diverse food and beverage options. The stadium has partnered with vendors to ensure budget-friendly prices throughout, with further price reductions in 2019 on popular items like hot dogs, burgers, pretzel bites, ice cream cones, and chips and salsa. Notably, fans can enjoy a $2 soda cup with unlimited refills and a $5 beer, making it one of the most fan-friendly venues. These initiatives have led to Mercedes-Benz Stadium consistently ranking No. 1 in the NFL for food and beverage from 2017 to 2021.
The upper concourse features the expansive 100 Yard Club, a concession and gathering area stretching the entire length of the football field, offering an extensive array of food and amenity choices.
The culinary diversity inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium is remarkable. Whether you crave a burger, chicken sandwich, hot dog, wings, or a combination, you’ll find it here. Popular vendors include West Nest by Westside Works, Gamechanger, Farmburger, Fresh Mex, Bruster’s, and Capital Crust Pizza. Chick-fil-A also has locations within the stadium, though adhering to company policy, they remain closed on Sundays.
For guests with dietary needs, Mercedes-Benz Stadium provides vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options throughout the venue, ensuring everyone can enjoy their visit to the fullest.
