Author | Nancy Glasscock |
Home to the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a multipurpose stadium located in Fulton County, just outside of Atlanta. The stadium was built to replace the Georgia Dome.
In 2010, the Falcons began to show interest in building a new stadium. Falcon’s owner, Arthur Blank, expressed that he was interested in hosting another Super Bowl. After everything was approved construction began in 2014.
In 2015, it was announced that the name for the new stadium would be Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Where did this name come from?
It ultimately originated for two reasons.
1. The Falcons arch-rivals, the New Orleans Saints, play in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. This would give the division two stadiums sponsored by the company.
2. Secondly, it was also announced that Mercedes-Benz would be moving their corporate office from New Jersey to Atlanta.
What makes this stadium so incredible?
The stadium contains a massive eight panel retractable roof which was inspired by the Oculus in the Pantheon of Ancient Rome. It also includes a halo video board that stretches from one 10-yard line to the other, a 100-yard bar in the upper concourse, a fantasy football lounge, and premium club seating at field level. Several Scholars Guild members have attended events at the new stadium and all have loved it. It has been said that the inside is amazing because it is bigger that most stadiums and very efficient. Additionally, many have reported a variety of food choices and the prices are reasonable. Whenever you can’t see the players you just look at the giant circular screen hanging from the ceiling, the massive column screens, or the screens hanging from the seating. There is also an entire wall that has floor to ceiling windows and another large window that provides a cool view of downtown Atlanta.
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium will also host many colleges, high school, and championship games. Not only is it merely equipped for football games, but also for soccer games, basketball games and even non-sports events, such as the upcoming Garth Brooks concert. There is a retracting lower bowl that widens the field and a curtain mechanism that limits the capacity from 71,000 to 42,500. The stadium its self is a masterpiece. Being the host of many major events, such as the LIII Super Bowl in 2019, the stadium will definitely be an Atlanta attraction for years to come. At a total cost of $1.6 billion the stadium’s opening date was August 26, 2017; fans are eager to see what is in store for this massive family friendly stadium.