Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium: What It Was, Where It Was, and What’s There Now

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting and you hear people talk about Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, they’re usually talking about a place that no longer exists, but still looms large in the city’s sports history.

This guide walks you through:

  • What the stadium was and why it mattered
  • Exactly where it stood and what’s on the site today
  • How to visit the former stadium location
  • What longtime Atlantans remember about it

A Quick Overview: What Was Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium?

Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium was the city’s major outdoor sports stadium from the mid‑1960s to the late 1990s. It was built as a multi-purpose venue and became:

  • Home of the Atlanta Braves (Major League Baseball)
  • Home of the Atlanta Falcons (National Football League) in their early years
  • A host site for major concerts, events, and even Olympic baseball during the 1996 Summer Games

People sometimes still call it:

  • “Atlanta Stadium”
  • “Fulton County Stadium”
  • Or simply “the old Braves stadium”

The stadium was demolished in 1997, but the site is still easy to visit and has clear markers of where it once stood.

Where the Stadium Was Located in Atlanta

The stadium stood just south of downtown in what’s now known as the Summerhill / Georgia State University area.

General area:

  • South of I‑20
  • East of Downtown Atlanta
  • Near today’s Center Parc Stadium (the former Turner Field)

For practical purposes, if you’re trying to find the former stadium site today, you’ll be heading to the area around:

Address for navigation:
521 Capitol Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
(This is the approximate area of the former stadium, now part of parking and mixed-use development near Center Parc Stadium.)

You won’t see a stadium there anymore, but you will see parking lots, markers, and plaques that show where key parts of Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium once stood.

What’s on the Site Today?

Although the stadium itself is gone, the site is far from empty. Today, the area includes:

  • Center Parc Stadium – now operated by Georgia State University and used primarily for football
  • Parking lots and access roads – many sitting directly on the old stadium footprint
  • Historical markers – including:
    • The outfield fence outline painted or marked on the pavement
    • A home plate marker showing where the original home plate once sat
    • A plaque noting Hank Aaron’s 715th home run, which broke Babe Ruth’s record in 1974

If you’re walking around the parking areas just south of Center Parc Stadium, you’ll find:

  • A clearly marked “Hank Aaron 715” spot in what is now commonly referred to as the former outfield
  • A home plate marker in the pavement, often a popular photo stop for baseball fans

These markers are essentially a small, outdoor “memory lane” for Atlanta sports history.

How to Visit the Former Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium Site

If you’re in Atlanta and want to see where the stadium once stood, it’s straightforward.

Getting There by Car

Use a GPS and set it to something in the Center Parc Stadium area, such as:

Center Parc Stadium
755 Hank Aaron Dr SE
Atlanta, GA 30315

Once you arrive:

  • Look for the surface parking lots just south and west of the stadium.
  • Walk through the lots and watch for plaques, painted lines, and embedded markers in the pavement.
  • The markers are often near the intersection of Hank Aaron Dr SE and nearby parking-access roads.

Parking is typically available in the surrounding lots, especially when there are no major events, but always check posted signs for restrictions or event-day rules.

Getting There by Public Transit

From MARTA:

  • Take the Blue or Green line to Georgia State Station or Five Points Station, then:
    • Use a rideshare, e-scooter, or bike to go south toward Hank Aaron Dr SE, or
    • Check for bus routes that run from downtown toward the stadium area (routes may change, so it’s best to check current schedules).

The walk from downtown is possible but can be long for some visitors, especially in summer heat.

What to Look For When You Arrive

Once you’re in the right area, look for:

  • Home plate marker – marking the exact spot where home plate sat in Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium
  • Outfield boundary markings – painted lines or indications in the parking lot showing where the warning track and outfield wall would have been
  • Hank Aaron’s 715th home run spot – often marked with a plaque noting where the historic home run left the park

These aren’t part of a formal museum, but they’re significant local landmarks for sports fans and curious visitors.

Why Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium Matters in Atlanta History

For Atlantans, this stadium is more than a demolished building. It represents a few big turning points:

1. Atlanta Becoming a “Big League” City

Before the stadium was built, Atlanta didn’t have Major League Baseball or the NFL. The construction of Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium helped:

  • Attract the Milwaukee Braves to move and become the Atlanta Braves
  • Bring the Atlanta Falcons into the NFL as an expansion franchise

For longtime residents, this marked Atlanta’s arrival on the national sports stage.

2. Hank Aaron’s Historic Home Run

On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, breaking Babe Ruth’s long-standing record.

For Atlanta, this:

  • Cemented the city’s place in baseball history
  • Became a point of pride, especially for the West End and South Atlanta communities with strong ties to Aaron
  • Led to enduring tributes, including the Hank Aaron Drive SE street name and the preserved 715 marker on the former stadium site

Many visitors come specifically to stand where that home run landed.

3. The 1996 Summer Olympics

During the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the stadium hosted Olympic baseball games. For many locals, this was one of the rare times the stadium became a global stage.

After the Olympics, the Braves transitioned to Turner Field (built using the Olympic Stadium), and Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium was demolished in 1997.

Timeline at a Glance

Here’s a simple summary of Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium’s life in the city:

Year / EraWhat HappenedWhy It Matters to Atlanta
Mid‑1960sStadium constructed just south of downtownHelped attract MLB and NFL teams
1966Braves and Falcons begin playing thereAtlanta becomes a major pro sports city
1974Hank Aaron hits HR #715Landmark moment in baseball and civil rights history
1996Hosts Olympic baseballPart of Atlanta’s Olympic legacy
1997Stadium demolishedSite converted to parking and markers remain
TodaySite marked near Center Parc StadiumPopular spot for local history and sports fans

What Locals Still Call the Area

Even though the stadium is gone, you might still hear locals use phrases like:

  • “Down by the old stadium”
  • “Near Turner Field” (older reference)
  • “At Center Parc / GSU Stadium” (current name)

If you’re asking directions from someone who grew up in Atlanta, just saying you’re looking for where Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium used to be is usually understood as the parking area south of the current football stadium on Hank Aaron Dr SE.

Tips for Visitors and New Atlantans

If you’re planning to explore the area:

  • Pair it with a game or event

    • You can visit the old stadium site markers before or after a Georgia State University football game at Center Parc Stadium or other events nearby.

  • Bring a camera or phone

    • The home plate marker and Hank Aaron 715 spot are popular photo locations, especially for baseball fans.

  • Read the plaques slowly

    • The wording on the markers gives helpful historical context and can make the visit more meaningful, especially if you’re unfamiliar with Atlanta’s sports history.

  • Stay aware of event-day traffic

    • On days with events at Center Parc Stadium, parking and traffic around Hank Aaron Dr SE can be heavier than usual.

If You’re Researching or Teaching Atlanta History

For teachers, students, or anyone documenting local history:

  • The former Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium site offers a tangible way to connect sports history, civil rights, and urban development in Atlanta.
  • The area shows how Atlanta has reused major sports facilities:
    • Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium → demolished, site memorialized
    • Olympic Stadium → Turner Field → Center Parc Stadium

Field trips or self-guided walks in this area can easily include:

  • The former stadium site markers
  • Surrounding Summerhill neighborhood, which has seen major redevelopment in recent years
  • The walk up Hank Aaron Dr SE toward downtown for a clear view of how close the stadium area sits to the city’s core

Key Takeaways for Someone in Atlanta

  • Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium no longer exists, but its site is still accessible just south of downtown.
  • You can stand where home plate once was and see where Hank Aaron’s 715th home run left the park, in the parking lots near Center Parc Stadium on Hank Aaron Dr SE.
  • The location is important not just for sports, but for understanding Atlanta’s growth, identity, and Olympic history.

If you’re living in or visiting Atlanta and curious about where the city’s major sports story began, the former Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium site is one of the most meaningful—and surprisingly easy—places to visit.