Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The stadium officially opened on August 26, 2017. Several events formerly held at the Georgia Dome moved to Mercedes-Benz Stadium following its completion, including multiple college football events, such as the SEC football championship game, the Peach Bowl, and the College Football Playoff National Championship (2018, 2025). Other professional events included the MLS Cup (as Atlanta United FC held home field advantage) in 2018, and Super Bowl LIII in 2019. It also hosted matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In Their Own Story

The low hum of floodlights replaced the roar of V6 turbos over the empty turf of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Above, eight massive steel petals rotated in a slow, mesmerizing dance against a summer storm, sealing the arena like a blooming flower closing for the night. Inside, the air carried the scent of fresh-cut grass and polished concrete—a stark, quiet antithesis to the grease, gasoline, and adrenaline that defined Red Bull Racing's world. Here, speed was measured in touchdowns and goals, not lap times; there were no telemetry screens flashing data, no pit crews in fireproof suits, and no Austrian energy drink branding adorning the walls. It stood as a cathedral for gridiron and soccer, silent and still, waiting not for the five red lights of a Grand Prix start, but for the kickoff that would ignite Atlanta.

Reader's Guide

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. Closing the roof takes slightly less time than opening the roof. When opened, the panels are designed to create the illusion of a bird's wings extended. Architect Bill Johnson explained that the circular opening in the roof was inspired by the Roman Pantheon. Below the roof is the 'Halo', a 58-by-1,100-foot ring-shaped video board. The stadium also includes oversized locker rooms for college football use, a soccer-specific configuration with retractable lower bowl seats and mechanized curtains, and over 180 commissioned works of art. The upper concourse includes the '100 Yard Club'. The stadium has a policy of 'fan first pricing' for all concessions, with lower menu prices. In March 2019, the stadium became one of the first major professional sports venues in the United States to only accept 'cashless' payment methods for concessions. The stadium also partnered with Atlanta-based restaurants under the 'Best of Atlanta' banner. In 2023, the stadium adopted the NFL's clear bag policy.

Did You Know?

• The roof's eight panels are designed to create the illusion of a bird's wings extended when opened.
• The 'Halo' video board covers 62,350 square feet and was described as three times as large as the largest single display board in the NFL at the time.
• The stadium's art collection includes Gábor Miklós Szőke's stainless steel sculpture 'The Atlanta Falcon', which is 41 feet high with a 70-foot wingspan.
• The stadium's 'fan first pricing' includes a US$2 beverage cup with free refills and a $5 beer.