Super Bowls in Atlanta: What Years Did Atlanta Host the Big Game?

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and wondering “What year was the Super Bowl in Atlanta?” the quick answer is:

Atlanta has hosted the Super Bowl three times:

  • 1994 – Super Bowl XXVIII at the Georgia Dome
  • 2000 – Super Bowl XXXIV at the Georgia Dome
  • 2019 – Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

Below is a clear breakdown of each game, what it meant for the city, and what Atlantans and visitors might want to know today.

Quick Reference: Super Bowls Played in Atlanta

Super BowlYearStadiumWinning TeamOpponent
XXVIII1994Georgia DomeDallas CowboysBuffalo Bills
XXXIV2000Georgia DomeSt. Louis RamsTennessee Titans
LIII2019Mercedes‑Benz StadiumNew England PatriotsLos Angeles Rams

All three were held in the city of Atlanta, in the downtown stadium district.

Super Bowl XXVIII (1994) – Atlanta’s First Super Bowl

Year in Atlanta:1994
Stadium: Georgia Dome (since demolished)
Location: Downtown, near what is now Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

This was the first Super Bowl ever played in Atlanta. For longtime residents, it marked the moment Atlanta firmly stepped onto the national sports stage.

What Atlantans Remember

  • The game brought national attention to downtown Atlanta and the then-new Georgia Dome.
  • It helped showcase Atlanta as a modern, fast-growing Southern city capable of hosting major events.
  • The success of this event helped build momentum toward other huge events, including the 1996 Olympic Games.

While the Georgia Dome is no longer standing, the area where it once was is now part of the broader Mercedes‑Benz Stadium campus and surrounding green space, so the legacy of that first Super Bowl still lives in the neighborhood layout.

Super Bowl XXXIV (2000) – Return to the Georgia Dome

Year in Atlanta:2000
Stadium: Georgia Dome
Location: Downtown Atlanta

Just six years later, the NFL returned to Atlanta for Super Bowl XXXIV.

Local Impact

  • Once again, the focus was on downtown, with activity centered around the Georgia Dome, the Georgia World Congress Center, and nearby hotels.
  • For Atlantans, it meant another wave of visitors, media coverage, and large-scale events throughout the city.
  • The game strengthened Atlanta’s reputation as a reliable Super Bowl host city, with the infrastructure and hospitality networks to handle major crowds.

If you live or stay near Vine City, Castleberry Hill, or the Centennial Olympic Park area, you’re right in the part of town that experienced the heart of Super Bowl activity in both 1994 and 2000.

Super Bowl LIII (2019) – The Mercedes‑Benz Stadium Era

Year in Atlanta:2019
Stadium: Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
Address: 1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

This is the most recent Super Bowl held in Atlanta and the first hosted at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC.

What Stood Out in 2019

  • The event showcased Mercedes‑Benz Stadium’s retractable roof and modern design on a global stage.
  • Activities expanded well beyond the stadium:
    • Concerts and fan events around Centennial Olympic Park
    • Media and NFL fan experiences near the Georgia World Congress Center
    • Parties, pop-ups, and watch events across Midtown, Buckhead, and along the BeltLine

For local residents, it meant:

  • Heavier traffic, especially around downtown and major hotel areas
  • Increased MARTA use, with GWCC/CNN Center Station and Vine City Station being key transit points
  • A temporary boost for hotels, restaurants, and bars across the metro area

If you’re visiting Atlanta now, you can still tour the stadium, attend Falcons or United games, and see the venue that hosted Super Bowl LIII.

Where in Atlanta Were the Super Bowls Played?

All three Atlanta Super Bowls were held in the downtown stadium district, which is easy to navigate whether you live here or are just visiting.

Key Locations

  • Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

    • 1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
    • Primary site for the 2019 Super Bowl
    • Walkable from GWCC/CNN Center and Vine City MARTA stations
  • Former Georgia Dome Site

    • Adjacent to Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
    • Once stood where the first two Atlanta Super Bowls (1994, 2000) were played
    • Now integrated into the stadium complex and surrounding development

Nearby points of interest many visitors connect with Atlanta’s Super Bowl history include:

  • Georgia World Congress Center – major event and convention space
  • State Farm Arena – home of the Atlanta Hawks, often part of big-event activity
  • Centennial Olympic Park – public green space that frequently hosts fan events and gatherings

Why Atlanta Is a Super Bowl City

Understanding why the Super Bowl has come to Atlanta helps answer why those particular years stand out.

Atlanta’s Advantages as a Host

  • Strong transportation hub – Atlanta’s role as a major air and highway hub makes it easier for fans, media, and teams to travel in and out.
  • MARTA access – Rail and bus lines connect the airport, downtown, Midtown, and key hotel zones, reducing reliance on cars during big events.
  • Downtown event cluster – Stadiums, arenas, hotels, and convention centers are clustered close together, which suits large events like the Super Bowl.
  • Hospitality capacity – The metro area has a deep base of hotels, restaurants, and entertainment districts that can absorb large temporary crowds.

For locals, this means Atlanta periodically experiences “big event mode,” where crowd levels, traffic patterns, and transit use shift for a few days, especially around downtown and Midtown.

If You’re in Atlanta and Curious About Super Bowl History

Here are a few practical ways to connect with Atlanta’s Super Bowl past:

1. Visit the Stadium Area

  • Walk around Mercedes‑Benz Stadium and the surrounding campus.
  • Explore nearby Centennial Olympic Park and check out nearby attractions like the College Football Hall of Fame, which often references major football milestones.

2. Use MARTA Like It’s Super Bowl Weekend 🚌

Even when there isn’t a game:

  • Ride MARTA from Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Five Points, GWCC/CNN Center, or Vine City to see how visitors typically move around during big events.
  • This gives a feel for how Atlanta manages crowds and why the city keeps being considered for major games.

3. Check Local Sports Venues and Tours

Many stadium tours and sports-themed venues around Atlanta highlight the city’s role in hosting big events:

  • Mercedes‑Benz Stadium tours (when available) may include references to Super Bowl LIII.
  • The broader downtown sports and entertainment district helps you visualize how the city looked during those Super Bowl weeks.

Straight Answer: What Year Was the Super Bowl in Atlanta?

If you only remember one thing:

  • 1994 – Super Bowl XXVIII at the Georgia Dome
  • 2000 – Super Bowl XXXIV at the Georgia Dome
  • 2019 – Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

So, three different years—1994, 2000, and 2019—Atlanta has been the center of the football world, each time showcasing the city’s downtown stadium district and its capacity to host one of the biggest sporting events on the planet.