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Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Coordinates:33°45′20″N84°24′00″W/ 33.75556°N 84.40000°W/33.75556; -84.40000
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For the stadium in New Orleans formerly known as the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, seeCaesars Superdome.For other venues with a similar name, seeMercedes-Benz Arena.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium
The Benz
A view of Mercedes-Benz Stadium prior to the2018 Peach Bowl
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is located in Atlanta
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Location inAtlanta
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is located in Metro Atlanta
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Location in theAtlanta metro area
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is located in Georgia
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Location inGeorgia
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is located in the United States
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Location in theUnited States
Former namesNew Atlanta Stadium (Planning/construction)
Address1 AMB Drive Northwest
LocationAtlanta,Georgia,United States
Coordinates33°45′20″N84°24′00″W/ 33.75556°N 84.40000°W/33.75556; -84.40000
Public transitMetropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit AuthorityMARTA
Green Line
Blue Line
atVine City
andGWCC/CNN Center
OwnerGeorgia World Congress Center Authority
OperatorAMB Sports and Entertainment Group
Executive suites190
CapacityAmerican football:71,000
(Expandable to 75,000)
Soccer:42,500
(Expandable to 71,000, standing room to at least 73,019)[1][2][3][4]
Record attendanceAmerican Football: 79,330 (2022 Peach Bowl,December 31, 2022)
Soccer: 73,019 (2018 MLS Cup,December 8, 2018)
Field sizeAmerican Football: 120 yd × 53.333 yd (109.7 m × 48.8 m)[5]
Soccer: 115 yd × 75 yd (105 m × 69 m)[6]
SurfaceFieldTurf CORE[7]
Construction
Broke groundMay 19, 2014;10 years ago(2014-05-19)[8][9]
OpenedAugust 26, 2017;7 years ago(2017-08-26)
Construction costUS$1.6 billion (projected)($1.99 billion in 2023 dollars[10])
ArchitectHOK[11]
tvsdesign[12]
Goode Van Slyke[12]
Stanley Beaman & Sears[12]
Project managerDarden & Company[13]
Structural engineerBuroHappold Engineering/Hoberman[14]
Services engineerWSP[14]
General contractorHHRM JV (ComprisingHunt Construction Group,Holder Construction, H. J. Russell & Co. & C. D. Moody Construction Co.)[12]
Tenants
Website
mercedesbenzstadium.com

Mercedes-Benz Stadiumis amulti-purpose stadiuminAtlanta, Georgia,United States.[15]Opened in 2017 as a replacement for theGeorgia Dome,it is the home of theAtlanta Falconsof theNational Football League(NFL) andAtlanta United FCofMajor League Soccer(MLS). The stadium is owned by thestate of Georgiathrough theGeorgia World Congress Center Authority,and operated byAMB Group,the parent organization of the Falcons and Atlanta United FC. In 2016, the total cost of its construction was estimated atUS$1.6 billion.[16]

The stadium officially opened on August 26, 2017, with a Falcons preseason game against theArizona Cardinals,despite the retractable roof system being incomplete at the time.[17][18]Several events formerly held at theGeorgia Domemoved to Mercedes-Benz Stadium following its completion, including theSEC football championship gameand thePeach Bowl.In 2018, it hosted theCollege Football Playoff National Championship,theMLS Cup(as Atlanta United FC heldhome field advantage), and it hostedSuper Bowl LIIIin 2019. Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host the2025 College Football Playoff National ChampionshipandSuper Bowl LXIIin 2028. It will also host multiple matches during the2026 FIFA World Cup.

Design

[edit]

Roof

[edit]
Atlanta Falcon sculpture outside the stadium

The stadium's signature feature is its retractable roof, which features a "pinwheel" consisting of eight translucent, triangular panels. Each of the eight panels operates on two straight, parallel rails; one rail is responsible for moving the panel while the other rail stabilizes the panel.[18][19]Closing the roof takes slightly less time than opening the roof, since the roof has to disengage the seals at the start of the opening procedure and slow down towards the end to prevent the panels from getting derailed.[20]When opened, the panels are designed to create the illusion of a bird's wings extended.[21]

Architect Bill Johnson explained that the circular opening in the roof was inspired by the RomanPantheon( "Pantheon" was also the working name for the building design). The roof was designed to be made of a clear, lightweight polymer material that can adjust its opacity to control light, and much of the exterior is clear polymer or glass to allow views to the outside. The middle concourse and upper bowl were eliminated in the east end zone to allow for an unobstructed view of the Atlanta skyline.[19]

Below the roof is the "Halo", a 58-by-1,100-foot (18 by 335 m), ring-shapedvideo boardaround its rim. Covering a total area of 62,350 square feet (5,793 m2), it was described by manufacturerDaktronicsas being "three times as large as the current largest single display board in the NFL" installed atEverBank Fieldin Jacksonville (also built by Daktronics).[22]Daktronics also installed more than 20,000 square feet (1,900 m2) of other LED boards, including field-level advertising boards for soccer games.[23]

The stadium's roof can be kept open under light precipitation, as the electrical systems for all video boards in the stadium are outdoor-rated, and the field has a drainage system. AMB Group senior executive Mike Egan went as far as describing Mercedes-Benz Stadium as "an outdoor stadium with a roof over it" due to these characteristics, but that other factors such as humidity and outside temperatures would be taken into consideration on whether or not the roof would be opened.[20]

Interior

[edit]
Interior of the stadium in August 2017

The stadium also includes features specific for college football use. It opened with two oversized locker rooms, each capable of housing 100 players, reflecting the much larger size of college football rosters compared to those of the NFL. However, the stadium did not initially include another feature important in that context—staircases connecting the seats to the field, making it difficult forbandsto enter the field for halftime shows (most NFL teams, including the Falcons, do not have bands).[24]It also has asoccer-specificconfiguration, with retractable lower bowl seats to widen the field, and mechanized curtains that limit the capacity to about 42,500.[25]

The stadium incorporates contemporary art into its interior and exterior design, with over 180 commissioned works, including pieces byNari Ward,Hank Willis Thomas,and Steven and William Ladd. The centerpiece of the art collection is Gábor Miklós Szőke's stainless steel sculptureThe Atlanta Falcon,which the artist said is the largest freestanding bird sculpture in the world. The falcon, perched atop a 13 foot (4.0 m) tall bronze football, is 41 feet (12 m) high with a wingspan of 70 feet (21 m). The sculpture stands in front of the stadium, weighs over 73,000 pounds (33,000 kg), and is as tall as a four-story building.[26]

Amenities

[edit]

The upper concourse includes an area known as the "100 Yard Club", a concession and gathering area that stretches the length of the football field. Other noted areas include the "AT&TPerch "—a gathering area with televisions and video walls airing other games (designed as being of interest tofantasy footballplayers), and the "BudweiserBiergarten".Several" neighborhood bars "also operate within the stadium.[27][28]The former Georgia Dome site between the stadium and theGeorgia World Congress Centerwas redeveloped as "The Home DepotBackyard "—an 11-acre (4.5 ha) green space used as atailgatingarea. It also features a 3-tier, dual-level, shaded deck pavilion.[29]

Mercedes Benz Stadium time lapse capture 2017-08-13
Near completion in August 2017

For its concessions, Mercedes-Benz Stadium focused primarily on the quality and speed of service, variety, and pricing; the stadium includes at least 670 points-of-sale, and has a policy of "fan first pricing" for all concessions—with lower menu prices in comparison to other sports facilities during all events regardless of stature, such as a US$2 beverage cup with free refills, and a $5 beer. To increase the speed of service, all items were priced at whole dollars only, with the 9.3%sales taxalready included in the posted menu prices (rather than added at the time of purchase).[30][31]The practice helped to increase the venue's revenue, as the lower prices have been offset by increased spending on concessions by attendees.[32][31][33]

In March 2019, following a trial in 2018, the stadium became one of the first major professional sports venues in the United States to only accept"cashless"payment methods for transactions at concessions inside the stadium, such as credit or debit cards, andmobile payments.This only applies to concessions; cash is still accepted for ticket sales and any third-party merchandising that may operate during events, and kiosks are provided for loading cash onto prepaid debit cards (with no transaction fees charged). At the same time, the stadium raised all menu prices, by adding tax at the time of purchase but maintaining the same posted price values as before (besides five items, such as hot dogs, whose list prices were discounted by 50 cents).[30]

To reflect local culture, the stadium also partnered with Atlanta-based restaurants, chains, and chefs to have presences as concessions under the "Best of Atlanta" banner, includingChick-fil-A,The Varsity,Kevin Gillespie,and others. In keeping with the fan first pricing policy, these partners agreed to notmark uptheir prices in comparison to their standalone locations.[31][32]As with all other locations under a long-standing corporate policy, the Chick-fil-Adoes not operate on Sundays,with no exception, even though the stadium's main tenant primarily plays on Sundays. During Sunday events, the Chick-fil-A stand is replaced by an unbranded "Fries Up" stand operated byLevy Restaurants.[34][35]

In 2023, the stadium adopted the NFL's clear bag policy.[36]An advisory was issued detailing permissible sizes for clear bags, including diaper bags.[37][38]

History

[edit]

Planning

[edit]

In May 2010, it was reported by multiple news outlets that the Atlanta Falcons were interested in replacing theGeorgia Domewith a newly constructed open-air stadium, although at the time it was planned to retain the Georgia Dome to continue hosting non-NFL events.[39][40][41]The team was pursuing a new stadium because of the team's desire to play outdoors, as well as Falcons team ownerArthur Blank's interest in hosting anotherSuper Bowl.[40]The stadium was also pursued as a possible bid for a venue of an upcomingFIFA World Cup.Kansas City-based architectural firmPopulousreleased comprehensive plans for the proposed stadium in February 2011.[42]Populous' early cost estimate for the project was US$700 million.[43]According to the master plan, the stadium would have a regular capacity of 71,000, but can expand to 75,000 for special events such as the Super Bowl. It will also feature multiple club levels, suites and exhibition area.[42]

In April 2012, Populous released a new price estimate of US$947.7 million, which was significantly higher than the previous proposal of US$700 million.[44]In April 2012,The Atlanta Journal-Constitutionreported that if a deal was reached, the new stadium's construction would be expected to begin in 2014, with the Falcons to begin regular-season play in 2017.[45][46]The proposed location of the new stadium was a large parking lot in Atlanta'sVine Cityneighborhood, which was less than a mile north of the Georgia Dome's location.[47]Once construction was complete, the Georgia Dome would subsequently be demolished.[46]

On August 24,The Atlanta Journal-Constitutionreported that an official deal could be reached on the construction of a new stadium by the end of 2012.[48]They also reported on September 10 thatAtlantamayorKasim Reedsaid site improvements could likely bump the total cost to US$1.2 billion; however, that did not increase the actual building cost, which still remained at an estimated US$948 million.[49]

On December 10, theGeorgia World Congress Center Authority,in a unanimous decision, approved the blueprint and most of the agreement terms for the new stadium plans. According toThe Atlanta Journal-Constitutionarticle, the term sheet is non-binding and changes could be made at any time as regards stadium construction. Stadium location, however, is yet to be worked out; proposed locations being reported are within walking distance of the Georgia Dome, with one site located one-half mile north, and the other one block directly south, at one of the stadium's existing parking lots.[50]The project made national headlines for the first time in 2012 on December 15, with team owner Arthur Blank stating inThe New York Timesthat he would rather have a new stadium be constructed than a "remodeling job" of the Georgia Dome.[51]During a January 10, 2013, press conference, mayor Reed expressed his optimism and confidence in the construction of the new stadium; he also mentioned the possibility of the new stadium helping the city compete for its firstMajor League Soccerteam.[52]

Aerial photo showing land next to Georgia Dome cleared for construction of the new stadium.

On March 7, 2013, the Falcons and the city of Atlanta agreed to build the newdowntownstadium. The maximum public contribution for the project was US$200 million, coming from thehotel-motel taxin Atlanta and unincorporated Fulton County. The Atlanta City Council officially approved the stadium on March 19, 2013. The council voted, 11–4, in favor of the use of city hotel-motel taxes to pay US$200 million toward construction costs and potentially several times that toward costs of financing, maintaining and operating the stadium through 2050.[53]On May 21, 2013, the NFL approved a US$200 million loan to the Falcons organization for the purpose of building the stadium.[54]

The Falcons unveiled a conceptual design for the new stadium on June 18, 2013, with a proposed capacity of 70,000 spectators, 7,500 club seats, and 180 luxury suites.[55]

Arthur Blank indicated the groundbreaking of the stadium would be conducted the last week of March 2014.[56][57][58]Just afterMartin Luther King Jr.Drive was closed permanently, the Mount Vernon Baptist Church held its last Sunday service on March 9 before the historic church wasdemolished.Friendship Baptist, the birthplace of both Spelman College and Morehouse College, was also demolished and relocated to make room for the stadium. Due to legal issues surrounding the issuing of bonds, the stadium did not break ground until May 19, 2014.[59][60]

Construction site in November 2015.

Construction delays, opening

[edit]
The Georgia Dome (right) and Mercedes-Benz Stadium on July 2, 2017
The remains of Georgia Dome with the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the foreground

The stadium's projected opening date was delayed three times due to the complexity of the eight-panel retractable roof. The stadium was originally intended to open on March 1, 2017; however, the opening date was later delayed to June 1, 2017, then to July 30, 2017, and then to August 26, 2017. Steve Cannon, CEO of the Atlanta Falcons' parent company AMB Group, stated that the Falcons' preseason schedule and the Chick-fil-a Kickoff Games would not be affected by the new opening date; however, three Atlanta United FC matches would be affected. The July 30 game againstOrlando City SCwas moved to the team's interim home ofBobby Dodd Stadiumfor July 29 while two home matches scheduled in August were moved to later dates. Additionally, the Georgia Dome's demolition was put on hold until the new stadium'scertificate of occupancycould be issued.[17]On June 9, 2017, stadium officials announced that they were confident that Mercedes-Benz Stadium would open as scheduled, and demolition of the Georgia Dome had resumed, and the Dome was imploded on the morning of November 20, 2017.[61]

On July 25, 2017, stadium officials reported that the roof would be in the closed position during the Falcons' preseason games and theChick-fil-A Kickoffgames while contractors continue to fine tune the roof to allow all eight panels to work in sync. Falcons' President Rich McKay also stated that the roof would remain closed whenever outside temperatures exceed 80 °F (27 °C).[62]On August 16, 2017,WXIAreported that construction of the retractable roof system was intentionally delayed by stadium and construction officials to ensure the roof's long term operability and to ensure that other parts of the stadium would be completed on time.[63]

On September 10, 2017, the Falcons announced that, contrary to earlier plans, the stadium roof would in fact be open during the Falcons home opener on September 17 against theGreen Bay Packersif weather permitted.[64]On October 6, 2017, stadium officials announced that the roof would be opened, weather permitting, for Atlanta United FC's regular season finale againstToronto FCon October 22; stadium officials also stated that the roof would remain closed for the remainder of the Falcons' regular season as well as for any home matches hosted by Atlanta United FC during the2017 MLS Cup Playoffsas contractors continued to work on fully mechanizing the roof.[65]

Additional construction and renovations

[edit]

Hoping to address concerns of overcrowding at the ingress and egress areas of the stadium, stadium officials announced that they plan to add several more doors to the stadium. Overcrowding and congestion was a frequent concern and complaint from fans attending major events during the stadium's first year of operation. Fans attending theCollege Football National Championshipgame reported significant delays in both entering and exiting the stadium, with some reporting wait times that exceeded 45 minutes to get out of the stadium at the completion of the game.[66]

Pedestrian bridge

[edit]
The $33 million pedestrian bridge on the west side of the stadium, spanning over Northside Drive

A pedestrian bridge was planned but not originally opened when the stadium first opened. The bridge was completed in January 2019 at a cost of ~$33 million.[67]It features a serpentine like structure on both ends, and a cover over the main span with customizable LEDs. The bridge connects gameday parking lots and theVine City MARTA Stationto the northwest side of the stadium and The Home Depot Backyard, allowing pedestrians to avoid crossing the busy, 6 laneNorthside Drive.

The bridge is criticized for its immense cost, originally only planned to cost $13 million, but swelling to $33 million in part to expedite construction so it would be completed forSuper Bowl LIII.However, the bridge was not open for the Super Bowl as it was deemed a security risk.[68]The bridge is also criticized for its inequity and siphoning funds from the 2016 Renew Atlanta TSPLOST; the bridge was not originally on the project lists, so other projects originally on the list had to be removed. Critics argue the original projects would have accomplished more and served more people.[69]It has been also criticized for not being ADA friendly as the ramp is too steep, and there is no elevator.[70]

Playing surface

[edit]

On February 7, 2019, stadium officials stated that the artificial turf would be replaced prior to the Falcons' 2019 season as part of nearly $2 million in capital improvements to the stadium; stadium officials also noted that the turf would be replaced approximately every two years given the number of events, both private and public, held annually at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.[71]

For the2024 Copa América,natural grass sod was placed on top of the stadium's usual artificial turf. Following the first match of the tournament,Argentina'smanagerLionel Scalonicriticized the quality of the grass turf.[72]

Retractable roof

[edit]

Several reports of the roof leaking during the stadium's inaugural season caused some issues for the stadium's design team. During theCollege Football National Championship Gamein January 2018, several media outlets reported a significant leak that appeared to be occurring just over the field of play near the 25-yard line.Bill Hancock,College Football Playoff Executive Director, said that he and his team had been made aware of the issue concerning water leaking from the roof and that he believed that the issue did not affect the field of play during the game. Neither team competing in the game reported any issues with the playing surface.[73]

Stadium officials clarified after the initial leaks that were reported back in October 2017 that the issue was not a "leak" but rather a "few drops of water" that were falling from the roof around isolated parts of the stadium. Officials stated that the issue was due to the fact that the roof was still not fully mechanized yet, and that the issues would be fixed before the Falcons' 2018 season. They also stated that the issues were common for newly constructed stadiums with retractable roofs.[73]

Mercedes-Benz Stadium roof in October 2018

Since the retractable roof was one of the major features and design points of the stadium, some of the problems with the roof were magnified in the stadium's first year of operation. The roof, which is supposed to open in as little as 12 minutes with the push of a button, was not fully operational by the time the stadium's primary tenants, theAtlanta Falconsand theAtlanta United FC,began their regular seasons. The roof was required to be mechanically opened, which was a very time-consuming process. As such, the roof was only opened twice in its first year of use, once for an Atlanta Falcons game – aSunday Night Footballgame against the Green Bay Packers on September 17, 2017, and a nationally televised MLS soccer game, when the Atlanta United FC hostedToronto FCin a sold-out game of more than 70,000 fans on October 22, 2017.[74]

Falcons president Rich McKay told theAtlanta Journal-Constitutionthat he expected all issues with the roof to be completely resolved before the 2018 season.[75]On May 29, 2018, the roof was opened for the first time since October 2017 for construction purposes. Stadium officials stated that the roof would be open for 10 days, regardless of weather, to complete work on automating the roof. After the 10-day construction period, an unspecified time frame would be required for final commissioning work, after of which, operation of the roof would be turned over to stadium officials.[76]Work on the roof was completed on July 14, 2018.[20]On July 25, 2018, in a demonstration to members of the media, the roof was opened and closed for the first time as intended, with both procedures taking approximately eight minutes each.[77]

Costs and funding

[edit]

In December 2014, the Georgia World Congress Center's board of governors approved a resolution to raise the cost of the stadium to US$1.2 billion. The stadium was initially slated to cost US$1 billion, then rose to US$1.2 billion in October 2013.[78]

The city has agreed to contribute US$200 million in stadium bonds, but with additional tax revenues[79]and with the state of Georgia contributing US$40 million for parking expansion, public spending is expected to eclipse US$700 million.[80][81]

In January 2015, the Falcons announced the sale ofpersonal seat licenses(PSL) costing up to US$45,000 per seat, depending on the section of the stadium. The most expensive tickets are priced at US$385 per game, in addition to one-time PSL fees, for the first three years. The total revenue generated from PSL sales was $273 million.[82][83]

On August 21, 2015, theAtlanta Journal-Constitutionreported thatMercedes-Benzwould acquire thenaming rightsfor the stadium, and this was later confirmed by a press conference at the stadium site on August 24. Under the stadium deal with the city of Atlanta and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, the Falcons organization controls the stadium's naming rights and receives all related revenue. Then-Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Steve Cannon, who would subsequently join the Falcons' organization in 2016 as CEO of AMB Group,[84]stated that the sponsorship would last 27 years, calling it the largest marketing deal in Mercedes-Benz' history, but Cannon would not disclose the full value of the deal; however,Sports Business Dailyreported in February 2016 that the naming rights contract was valued at US$324 million. Mercedes-Benz also held a 10-year naming rights contract for theLouisiana Superdomesigned in 2011.[85][86]

Total sponsorship sales for Mercedes-Benz Stadium have reached $900 million.[87]

While the stadium is owned by the state, it is operated by AMB Group, the parent organization of the Falcons and Atlanta United FC. All operating profits of Mercedes-Benz Stadium go to AMB Group and not to the state. In addition, AMB Group does not currently pay any property tax on the stadium.[80]

Major events

[edit]

NFL

[edit]
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is decorated forSuper Bowl LIIIinAtlanta, Georgia

On May 19, 2015, Mercedes-Benz Stadium was awardedSuper Bowl LIIIin2019,marking Atlanta's first time hosting the game sinceSuper Bowl XXXIVin 2000.[88]

The stadium would have served a neutral site for the 2022 AFC Championship on January 29, 2023, if theBuffalo BillsandKansas City Chiefsboth advanced past the divisional round in the NFL playoffs, with the Chiefs serving as the home team as the AFC's top seed. The neutral site placement was arranged because of an unbalanced schedule, due to theWeek 17 gamebetween the Bills against theCincinnati BengalsatPaycor Stadiumbeing cancelled after Bills safetyDamar Hamlinwent into life-threateningcardiac arreston the field.[89]The Bengals would win in their Divisional matchup against the Bills (with quarterbackJoe Burrowquipping that the Bills and Chiefs 'better send those refunds (back)' after the game in reference to their upset), thus the AFC Championship would be played atArrowhead Stadiuminstead.[90]

On October 15, 2024, the NFL announced that the stadium will hostSuper Bowl LXIIin 2028.

College basketball

[edit]

The stadium was scheduled to host the2020 NCAA Final Four.On March 12, 2020, the tournament was completely cancelled outright due to theCOVID-19 pandemic,though it would have likely shifted to a smaller Atlanta venue (either theState Farm Arenaor theMcCamish Pavilion,home of the Final Four's host school,Georgia Tech) in any case, as the tourney was closed to spectators the day before.[91][92]The NCAA announced on August 20, 2024, that the event was rescheduled to 2031.[93]

College and high school football

[edit]
College Football PlayoffSemifinal (Oklahoma vs LSU) on December 28, 2019

ThePeach Bowl,Celebration Bowl,[94]SEC Championship Game,andChick-fil-A Kickoff Game[95]moved from the Georgia Dome to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the2017 season.The SEC Championship has a long-term deal with Mercedes-Benz Stadium through 2027.[96][97]On February 26, 2019, it was announced that theGeorgia Tech Yellow Jacketshad agreed to play one home game annually at Mercedes-Benz Stadium from 2021 through 2026.[98]

The2018 College Football Playoff National Championshipwas hosted by Atlanta and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. In their first national championship game since 1982, theGeorgia Bulldogswere defeated in overtime by theAlabama Crimson Tide.[99]The stadium will host the national championship again in2025.

On December 8, 2017, the stadium hosted theGeorgia High School Association(GHSA) football championship games for Class 1A Private School and Class 3A. The remaining two championship games scheduled for that day, Class 5A and Class 6A, as well as the four games originally scheduled for the next day were postponed and relocated to campus sites due to light snow hitting Atlanta and North Georgia that weekend.[100]The 2018 GHSA football championships were held on December 11 and 12 due to Atlanta United FC hostingMLS Cup 2018on December 8[101]as well as the2018 Celebration Bowlscheduled for December 15. In May 2019, the GHSA announced that the football finals would be moved from Mercedes-Benz Stadium toCenter Parc Stadium(a redevelopment ofTurner Field) starting in 2019, citing the higher costs of renting Mercedes-Benz Stadium compared to the former Georgia Dome.[102]The GHSA Football Championships returned to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2023, along with the GHSA Flag Football Championships playing at the stadium for the first time the same year.[103]

Soccer

[edit]
  • On October 22, 2017, Atlanta United FC played an MLS regular season match againstToronto FCat Mercedes-Benz Stadium in front of 71,874 spectators, beating the record they set for the largest crowd in a stand-alone MLS match in September againstOrlando City(which also marked the first time the roof was opened for a soccer game). Atlanta United FC also set the single-season record for attendance.[104]
  • On March 11, 2018, Atlanta United FC played an MLS regular season match againstD.C. Unitedat Mercedes-Benz Stadium in front of 72,035 spectators, setting the record for the largest crowd in MLS history.[105]
  • On October 23, 2017, it was announced that the2018 MLS All-Star Gamewould take place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against Italian clubJuventus.It was held on August 1, 2018, and set a new record for attendance at an MLS All-Star game, with 72,317 spectators.[106][107][108]
  • On December 8, 2018, Atlanta United FC hosted thePortland Timbersin theMLS Cup finalafter they earned home field advantage by virtue of their regular season record over Portland. Atlanta defeated Portland 2–0, winning their first-ever MLS championship. The game set a single-game attendance record for Major League Soccer, with 73,019 spectators.[109]
  • On August 14, 2019, Atlanta United hostedClub Américain the2019 Campeones Cup.Atlanta defeated América 3–2, winning their first-ever Campeones Cup in front of 40,128 supporters. This attendance set an attendance record for Campeones Cup.[110]
Date Winning Team Result Losing Team Tournament Spectators
October 22, 2017 United StatesAtlanta United FC 2–2 CanadaToronto FC 2017 Major League Soccer season 71,874
March 11, 2018 United StatesAtlanta United FC 3–1 United StatesD.C. United 2018 Major League Soccer season 72,035
August 1, 2018 ItalyJuventus 1–1
(5–3pen.)		 United StatesCanadaMLS All-Stars 2018 MLS All-Star Game 72,317
December 8, 2018 United StatesAtlanta United FC 2–0 United StatesPortland Timbers 2018 MLS Cup 73,019
June 5, 2019 Mexico 3–1 Venezuela International Friendly 51,834
August 14, 2019 United StatesAtlanta United FC 3–2 MexicoClub América 2019 Campeones Cup 40,128
August 27, 2019 United StatesAtlanta United FC 2–1 United StatesMinnesota United FC 2019 U.S. Open Cup Final 35,709
June 12, 2021 Mexico 0–0 Honduras International Friendly 70,072
August 31, 2022 Paraguay 1–0 Mexico International Friendly 51,387
July 26, 2023 EnglandBrighton & Hove Albion 2–0 EnglandBrentford 2023 Premier League Summer Series 70,789
EnglandChelsea 1–1 EnglandNewcastle United
September 12, 2023 Mexico 3–3 Uzbekistan International Friendly 33,817
April 6, 2024 United States 2–1 Japan 2024 SheBelieves Cup 50,644
Canada 1–1
(4–2pen.)		 Brazil
July 31, 2024 EnglandChelsea 3–0 MexicoClub América Club Friendly

2024 Copa América

[edit]

The stadium hosted two matches during the2024 Copa América,including the opening match of the tournament.[111]

Date Winning Team Result Losing Team Spectators
June 20, 2024 Argentina 2–0 Canada 70,564
June 27, 2024 Panama 2–1 United States 59,145

2025 FIFA Club World Cup

[edit]

The stadium hosted two matches during the2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

2026 FIFA World Cup

[edit]

Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host matches during the2026 FIFA World Cup,making it one of the eleven American venues as well as one of five MLS venues to host matches.[112]During the event, the stadium will be temporarily renamed to "Atlanta Stadium" in accordance with FIFA's policy on corporate sponsored names.[113]The stadium will host eight matches: five group stage matches, one Round of 32 match, one Round of 16 match, and one semifinal match.[114]

List of 2026 FIFA World Cup matches

[edit]
Date Time (UTC−4) Team #1 Res. Team #2 Round Attendance
June 15, 2026 --:-- TBD – TBD Group H
June 18, 2026 --:-- A4 – A2 Group A
June 21, 2026 --:-- TBD – TBD Group H
June 27, 2026 --:-- TBD – TBD Group K
July 1, 2026 --:-- Winner Group L – 3rd Group E/H/I/J/K Round of 32
July 7, 2026 --:-- Winner Match 86 – Winner Match 88 Round of 16
July 15, 2026 --:-- Winner Match 99 – Winner Match 100 Semi-finals

2031 and 2033 Rugby World Cups

[edit]

Atlanta is amongst the cities being considered for hosting matches during the2031 Rugby World Cupand2033 Women's Rugby World Cup.[115]

Concerts

[edit]

On October 12, 2017, the inaugural concert at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, featuringGarth Brooks,received widespread scorn, including demands for refunds, due to the reported abysmal acoustics that many attendees deemed unfit for concert sound. The stadium authority stated that plans are underway to help improve the acoustical quality of the stadium.[116]

Since the first concert, efforts were made to improve the acoustics in the stadium. New speakers were added to suites, the angle of the bowl speakers was adjusted and delays introduced in order to reduce echo. During a concert in May 2018 featuringKenny Chesney,reports were that the sound quality had improved since the first concert.[117][118]Chesney's concert attracted 51,312 people and grossed $5.068 million.[119]

Following concerts by Garth Brooks and Kenny Chesney, the venue hostedTaylor Swiftfor two nights in August 2018 as part of herReputation Stadium Tour.[120]Over the two sold-out nights, Swift performed to an audience of 116,746 people and grossed $18.089 million.[121]She was the first music act to headline the stadium for two consecutive nights.[122]

Also in August 2018,BeyoncéandJay-Zperformed for two nights as part of theOn the Run II Tour.[123]The two shows grossed $14.074 million and were attended by 105,170 people.[124]

Ed Sheeranperformed at the venue as part of his÷ Tourin November 2018.[125]The show was attended by 50,906 people and grossed $5.021 million.[126]This show marked the end of the 2018 leg of the tour, which was billed as the Top Tour of 2018.[127]

In March 2019,George Straitperformed a one-off concert at the venue, joined by musical guestsChris Stapleton,Chris Janson,and Ashley McBryde.[128]The concert was attended by 55,255 people, and grossed $11.9 million.[129]This became the highest grossing single night concert in the venue's history, and became George Strait's third show to earn over $10 million.[130]

On July 22, 2021,Kanye Westheld a listening event for his upcoming albumDonda.The event was also live streamed exclusively on Apple Music.[131]After the listening event concluded, West decided to temporarily reside at the stadium to continue working on the album until completion, converting locker-room facilities into temporary recording studio spaces and living areas.[132][133]Another listening party event for the album happened on August 5, 2021, at the stadium.[134][135][136]

After being postponed due to theCOVID-19 pandemic,Kenny Chesney returned to the venue on May 21, 2022, as part of hisHere and Now Tour.[137]

Coldplayperformed at the venue as part of theirMusic of the Spheres World Touron June 11, 2022, with special guestH.E.R.[138]

On July 30, 2022, the venue hostedLuke Combswith guestsCody Johnson,Zach Bryan,andMorgan Wade.[139]

The Weekndperformed at the venue as part of hisAfter Hours til Dawn Stadium Touron August 11, 2022.[140]

Elton Johnperformed at the venue as part of hisFarewell Yellow Brick Road Tour,on September 22, 2022.[141]

On April 28, 29 and 30, 2023, Taylor Swift returned to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for herEras Tour,becoming the first artist to headline three consecutive nights at the venue.[142]

Ed Sheeran returned to the venue on May 27, 2023, for the venue's firstin-the-roundconcert as part of his+–=÷× Tour.[143]He broke the venue's concert attendance record, performing to a crowd of 76,335 fans.[144]

Date Artist Opening act(s) Tour / Concert name Attendance[145] Revenue Notes
October 12, 2017 Garth Brooks Mitch Rossell
Karyn Rochelle 		World Tour (Garth Brooks) N/A N/A First concert at the stadium.
May 26, 2018 Kenny Chesney Thomas Rhett
Old Dominion
Brandon Lay 		Trip Around The Sun Tour Tour 51,312 / 51,312 $5,068,880
August 10, 2018 Taylor Swift Camila Cabello
Charli XCX 		Taylor Swift's Reputation Stadium Tour 116,746 / 116,746 $18,089,415 First music act to headline two shows on a single tour at the stadium.
August 11, 2018
August 25, 2018 Beyoncé
Jay-Z 		Chloe x Halle
DJ Khaled 		On the Run II Tour 105,170 / 105,170 $14,074,692
August 26, 2018
November 9, 2018 Ed Sheeran Snow Patrol
Lauv 		÷ Tour 50,906 / 50,906 $5,021,395
March 30, 2019 George Strait Chris Stapleton
Chris Janson
Ashley McBryde 		N/A 55,255 / 55,255 $11,999,961
November 6, 2021 Metallica N/A 2021–2022 Tour N/A N/A
November 11, 2021 The Rolling Stones Zac Brown Band No Filter Tour 49,915 / 49,915 $11,125,641
May 21, 2022 Kenny Chesney Dan + Shay
Old Dominion
Carly Pearce 		Here and Now Tour 47,925 / 47,925 $4,902,829
June 11, 2022 Coldplay H.E.R. Music of the Spheres World Tour 54,059 / 54,059 $5,913,613
July 30, 2022 Luke Combs Cody Johnson
Zach Bryan
Morgan Wade 		N/A N/A N/A
August 11, 2022 The Weeknd Snoh Aalegra
Mike Dean 		After Hours til Dawn Stadium Tour 46,836 / 46,836 $6,539,838
September 22, 2022 Elton John N/A Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour 47,156 / 47,156 $7,843,802
April 28, 2023 Taylor Swift Beabadoobee
Gracie Abrams 		The Eras Tour 196,107 / 196,107[citation needed] First music act to headline three shows on a single tour at the stadium.
April 29, 2023
April 30, 2023 Muna
Gayle
May 27, 2023 Ed Sheeran Khalid
Dylan 		+–=÷× Tour 76,335 N/A First concert performed in-the-round
August 11, 2023 Beyoncé – Renaissance World Tour 156,317 / 156,317 $39,849,890 Highest-grossing boxscore report in the stadium's history.[146][147][148]
August 12, 2023
August 14, 2023
September 21, 2023 Karol G Agudelo
Young Miko 		Mañana Será Bonito Tour
May 18, 2024 Kenny Chesney
Zac Brown Band 		Megan Moroney
Uncle Kracker 		Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour
June 7, 2024 The Rolling Stones Ghost Hounds Hackney Diamonds Tour
June 3, 2025 Metallica Pantera
Suicidal Tendencies 		M72 World Tour

Other major events

[edit]
  • On March 3, 2018, the stadium hosted a round of theAMA Supercross Championship,replacing the Georgia Dome which had been part of the schedule since 1993.[149]
  • On July 28, 2018, and July 27, 2019, the stadium hosted theDrum Corps InternationalSoutheastern Championship which was previously held in theGeorgia Dome.[150]On November 17, 2022, DCI announced that the Southeastern Championship would not return to the stadium for the 2022 tour, instead opting for Center Parc Stadium due to scheduling conflicts.[151]
  • On December 31, 2019 – January 2, 2020, Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosted its first everPassion Conferences.[152]The event made history by becoming the largest youth-centered Christian conference ever held in the United States with over 50,000 students in attendance. It is higher than Passion's 2017 event in the Georgia Dome, which held an estimated 40,000 people. Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosted its third Passion Conference from January 3–5, 2024.[citation needed]
[edit]

On January 4, 2018, the stadium was the subject of the premiere episode ofBuilding GiantsonScience Channel.Using footage of the construction along withCGI,the building process is explored in detail. It was noted during the episode that the heaviest truss sections were erected by the largest conventional crawler crane ever built in North America, aManitowocModel 31000 which is rated at a capacity of 2,535 US tons (2,300 metric tons).[153]

A train horn blares after every Falcons and United score and win – a nod to Atlanta's railroad history.[154][155]

Major League Wiffle Ballhosted their 2023 World Series at the stadium, a year after hosting their 2022 World Series atSoFi Stadium.Unlike 2022, MLW played the series with fans in attendance, marking the first time MLW has played a World Series with fans in attendance.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related toMercedes-Benz Stadium.
Events and tenants
Preceded by Home of theAtlanta Falcons
2017–present 		Succeeded by
none
Preceded by Home ofAtlanta United FC
2017–present 		Succeeded by
none
Preceded by Home of the
College Football Playoff National Championship
2018 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Georgia Dome
 Home of theChick-Fil-APeach Bowl
2017–present 		Succeeded by
none
Preceded by
Georgia Dome
 Home of theSEC Championship Game
2017–present 		Succeeded by
none
Preceded by Host of
Super Bowl LIII
2019 		Succeeded by
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