Get Newsletter
Notification products, updates
×
×
Notification products, updates
July 18, 2024
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, located in Atlanta, is set to be one of the 11 U.S. venues hosting matches for the 2026 World Cup. Opened in 2017, it ranks among the country’s largest and most expensive stadiums, regularly hosting NFL and MLS games. The Stadium will host eight matches for the World Cup, including a highly anticipated semi-final on July 15th.
The Stadium has already been a critical venue for international football, having hosted two matches during the 2024 Copa America, including the opening game between Argentina and Canada and the USA’s 2-1 loss to Panama. In compliance with FIFA’s sponsorship rules, the Stadium will be temporarily renamed “Atlanta Stadium” for the 2026 tournament. Below is a detailed guide to the venue, offering insights into parking options and notable events held there since its opening.
Mercedez-Benz Stadium Details
| Location | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Capacity | 71,000 |
| Construction Cost | $1.6 billion |
| Opened | August 26th, 2017 |
| Teams That Use Stadium | Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Atlanta United (MLS) |
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, serves as a multi-purpose venue for soccer and American football. It is the home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and MLS’s Atlanta United F.C.
Since its 2017 opening, the Stadium has hosted major events, including the MLS Cup, College Football Playoff National Championship, and Super Bowl LIII in 2019, where the New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 in front of 70,081 spectators. However, the Stadium’s record attendance was set during the 2022 Peach Bowl, when 79,330 fans watched Ohio State face off against Georgia.
Built at a cost of $1.6 billion (£1.23 billion), Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the fifth most expensive in the U.S., behind venues like SoFi Stadium and AT&T Stadium. Its standout feature is the massive circular H.D. screen encircling the inside of the roof, covering over 62,000 square feet, ensuring fans have a clear view of replays. Another striking feature is the Stadium’s retractable roof, composed of eight triangular panels. It stands out from others due to its distinctive design and functionality venues.
“The stadium roof may appear to rotate open but it’s an optical illusion, the roof opens by the movement of eight “petals” that slide open in a straight line.
“Each of the moving petals cantilever approximately 200 feet inwards towards the center of the Stadium and provide a roof covering when the petals are in the closed position.
“The moveable petal structures are powered by eight mechanized “bogies” which drive the petals along an inner rail and are attached to the outer uplift rail by six roller mechanisms.”
Most Expensive Stadiums Built in the United States
| Stadium Name | Location | Capacity | Construction Cost |
| SoFi Stadium | Inglewood, California | 70,240 | $5.76 billion |
| MetLife Stadium | East Rutherford, New Jersey | 82,500 | $2.11 billion |
| Allegiant Stadium | Paradise, Nevada | 65,000 | $1.99 billion |
| AT&T Stadium | Arlington, Texas | 80,000 | $1.87 billion |
| Mercedez-Benz Stadium | Atlanta, Georgia | 71,000 | $1.66 billion |
The circular screen inside the roof at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is visible from every part of the venue, which features three tiers of seating. Over 10% of the Stadium’s capacity is dedicated to premium and hospitality seating, including 7,500 club seats and suites spread across 100,000 square feet. These exclusive spaces offer amenities like VIP parking, upscale dining options, and in-club entertainment. The Stadium’s website provides detailed information on hospitality areas and directions for accessing these sections.
Fans can use the interactive seating map to explore views from various sections and locate bars, restaurants, and guest services around the Stadium. Additionally, the Stadium offers “Fly-Through Lanes,” allowing fans to use face I.D. technology verified on Ticketmaster for quicker entry through Gate 1, Gate 2, or the North Club.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium offers several parking options, all of which are detailed on its website. You can explore nearby parking lots through Google Street View to find the most convenient spot. Lots open 4.5 hours before events and close two hours after they end. Tailgating is allowed in the Home Depot Backyard, with guests permitted to stay until 30 minutes after the event begins. Complete parking and tailgating guidelines can be accessed online.
Accessible parking is available, with ADA options in the Blue and Yellow Lots. These lots offer shuttle services for most significant events. Accessible drop-off points are at Northside Drive and Andrew Young International Boulevard N.W. Detailed ADA parking and access guidelines are also available on the Stadium’s website.
Since opening in 2017, Mercedes-Benz Stadium has hosted various significant events, including the 2019 Super Bowl. It’s been the site of high-profile American football games like the SEC Championship and College Football Playoff National Championship. The Stadium is also expected to be a key venue for the 2031 and 2033 Rugby World Cups, which the USA will host.
In addition to sports, the Stadium has welcomed top music artists. Ed Sheeran set the concert attendance record in May 2023 with 76,335 attendees. Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour drew nearly 200,000 fans over three days in April 2023, and Beyoncé performed most recently in August 2023.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium has hosted several significant football matches. This year’s Copa America saw Argentina defeat Canada 2-0 in front of 70,564 fans for the tournament’s opener.
Another game saw Panama edge the USA 2-1, drawing just under 60,000 attendees. The Stadium was also the site of the 2018 MLS Cup final. Atlanta United beat the Portland Timbers with a crowd of over 73,000, the third-largest in MLS history. Additionally, the venue hosted Premier League teams in the 2023 Summer Series, including Brighton vs. Brentford and Chelsea vs. Newcastle, with over 70,000 fans in attendance. Chelsea is set to return for a pre-season match against Club America.
Largest Attendances in MLS History
| Rank | Match | Date | Stadium | Attendance |
| 1 | L.A. Galaxy vs LAFC | July 4th 2023 | Rose Bowl | 82,110 |
| 2 | Charlotte FC vs L.A. Galaxy | March 5th, 2022 | Bank of America Stadium | 74,479 |
| 3 | Atlanta United vs Portland Timbers | December 8th, 2018 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | 73,019 |
| 4 | Atlanta United vs L.A. Galax | August 3rd, 2019 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | 72,548 |
| 5 | Atlanta United vs D.C. United | March 11th, 2018 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | 72,035 |
Data was acquired from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Transfermarkt, and 90Min.com.
Stand by your favorite team! Head to our site and let them know you’re with them all the way.
Football News Today | La Liga 2 | Saudi Pro League | Major League Soccer | J League | EFL Championship | Brazilian Serie A
Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and football sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Football News Today, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for football, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
Stay Tuned With Updates