Mercedes-Benz Stadium - Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United

Sec 124, Row 41, Seat 8

Sec 130C, Row 28, Seat 14

History

Opened in 2017, Mercedes-Benz Stadium quickly became one of the most recognizable venues in sports due to the retractable dome. Located in downtown Atlanta, it replaced the Georgia Dome as the home of the Atlanta Falcons and welcomed Atlanta United in 2017. The retractable dome easily stands out in the Atlanta skyline, though from a personal standpoint, maybe not necessarily in a good way. It also features a halo video board, and as someone who has been to Mercedes-Benz for both sporting events and concerts (shoutout to The Eras Tour!), it's a nice feature and a standout compared to other stadiums.

Atmosphere

Gamedays at the Benz are definitely a 'get there early' kind of vibe - there's always tailgates going regardless of which sports is playing, and the fans are happy to bring you in if you mention it's your first time there. There's also plenty of bars and restaurants close by, in case that's more your pregame vibe. Within the stadium, the halo board gives replays a unique feel, and even though the Falcons and Atlanta United have had some rough recent seasons, fans still tend to turn out pretty well.

Concessions

Pricing at Mercedes-Benz is widely known as some of the most affordable in the league - thank you, Arthur Blank. Compared to other stadiums that I'd say you have to eat beforehand to be able to afford a game without breaking the bank, the Benz is a welcome reprieve. Outside of your normal stadium fare, though, there's vendors for everything from Mexican food to Hibachi. My personal choice is a stop at the Mac Shac Cart for their burnt ends mac-and-cheese.

Access

In comparison to other Atlanta sports venues (I'm looking at you, Truist Park), Mercedes-Benz is extremely close to public transit. I recommend parking outside the city for free at one of the stops and taking MARTA in to the Dome/GWCC/CNN Center Station. There are lots of parking garages available, though they do fill up fast, and I'd recommend buying ahead. There's also plenty of hotels in walking distance, in case you're coming from out of town.