Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)

📌 Key Facts:

• Location: Atlanta, Georgia, serving as the home for both the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and MLS’s Atlanta United FC.

• Opened: August 2017, replacing the Georgia Dome.

• Capacity:

  • NFL events: ~71,000 (expandable up to 83,000 for marquee games)

  • MLS matches: Typically ~42,500; can expand to over 70,000 for special demand

• Construction Cost: Approximately $1.5 billion—the world’s fourth most expensive stadium.

📚 Historical Significance:

• Sustainability Pioneer: First professional sports stadium in North America to earn LEED Platinum certification.

• Green Innovation: Features include a massive rainwater cistern (600,000 sq ft), over 4,000 solar panels, and energy-efficient systems.

• Iconic Events: Hosted Super Bowl LIII (2019), College Football Playoff Final (2018), multiple MLS finals, concerts by major artists, and more

🏗 Architecture and Features:

• Retractable Roof: Inspired by the Roman Pantheon’s oculus—eight triangular ETFE “petals” that open like a camera shutter in about 8–12 minutes.

• Halo Video Board: A 360° LED display wrapping the perimeter of the roof opening (~63,000 sq ft), the largest such screen in the world.

• “Window to the City”: A sizable glass façade offering daylight and panoramic views of downtown Atlanta.

• Fan Amenities: Includes 190+ luxury suites, 7,600 club seats, multiple bars (including the 100-yard bar), technology lounges, and thousands of Wi-Fi access points.

• Sustainability & Community Impact: Features urban farming spaces, water reuse systems, solar-powered parking carports, and excellent public transit access.