Does Atlanta United Play on Turf? What Fans in Atlanta Should Know

If you’re planning to catch an Atlanta United match at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium or watch from home, you might be wondering: Does Atlanta United play on turf?

Yes. Atlanta United plays its home games on artificial turf, not natural grass.

Here’s what that actually means for you as a fan in Atlanta, how the turf works, and what to expect if you’re going to a match.

The Short Answer: Yes, Atlanta United Plays on Turf

Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, located at 1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, uses a state-of-the-art artificial turf surface for Atlanta United home matches.

• The surface is synthetic turf, not real grass.
• It’s designed specifically for professional soccer and football.
• The turf is regularly upgraded and maintained to meet Major League Soccer (MLS) standards.

For most matches you see in Atlanta, including MLS regular season and playoffs, you’ll be watching Atlanta United play on turf.

Why Does Atlanta United Play on Turf in Atlanta?

Multi‑Use Stadium Design

Mercedes‑Benz Stadium is a multi-purpose venue that hosts:

• Atlanta United (MLS)
• Atlanta Falcons (NFL)
• College football games (including SEC Championship and Chick-fil-A Kickoff)
• Concerts and large events

Using high‑quality artificial turf allows the stadium to:

• Handle heavy year‑round use
• Transition quickly between soccer, football, and concerts
• Avoid the wear-and-tear problems that natural grass would face under constant events and Atlanta’s weather

Weather and Indoor Conditions

Atlanta’s climate—hot, humid summers and variable rainfall—can be tough on natural grass, especially in an indoor stadium where sunlight is limited.

Because Mercedes‑Benz Stadium has a retractable roof and spends significant time closed for events:

• Natural grass would be harder to maintain consistently
• Turf offers a more reliable playing surface in a controlled environment

What Type of Turf Does Mercedes‑Benz Stadium Use?

While specific brands and models can change as the turf is periodically replaced, the stadium typically uses:

• Modern, “third-generation” artificial turf
• Infill systems designed to cushion impact and improve traction
• A surface engineered for professional soccer and football play

For you as a fan in Atlanta, the key takeaway is that this isn’t old‑style “carpet on concrete.” It’s a professional-grade artificial surface designed to:

• Play at a high speed, which suits Atlanta United’s attacking style
• Provide consistent ball roll and bounce
• Withstand frequent events without getting torn up

How Turf Affects the Game Experience for Fans

Style of Play You’ll See in Atlanta

On turf at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, you can generally expect:

• Faster ball movement across the surface
• Crisp passing and quick changes of direction
• A style of play that often feels high-tempo and attacking

Many fans in Atlanta notice that matches at Mercedes‑Benz can feel:

• Energetic and intense, especially with the crowd and the stadium acoustics
• Well-suited to technical, quick players who thrive in tight spaces

Atmosphere Inside Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

Because it’s an indoor or semi‑indoor environment, the stadium offers:

• Climate-controlled comfort (a big plus during summer in Atlanta)
• Strong sound and crowd energy, with the supporters’ section (The Gulch and the supporters’ end inside the stadium) creating a loud, MLS‑leading atmosphere
• Consistent field appearance, with a uniform green playing surface every match

How Turf Impacts Visiting Teams in Atlanta

If you’re wondering whether turf gives Atlanta United any advantage at home:

• Atlanta United trains and plays regularly on turf, so the team is very accustomed to the surface.
• Some visiting players come from clubs with natural grass home fields, so they may need a short adjustment period.

For many clubs, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium is known as:

• A challenging away venue, not just because of the turf, but also the crowd size, noise, and indoor environment.

Does Atlanta United Ever Play on Grass?

Yes. While home games in Atlanta are on turf, Atlanta United will often play on natural grass in other settings, such as:

• MLS away games at teams with grass stadiums
• Certain U.S. Open Cup matches, depending on the hosting venue
• International friendlies or tournaments hosted at grass venues

From the perspective of a fan in Atlanta:

• If you travel to see Atlanta United in cities like Charlotte, Orlando, or Nashville, you may see them on grass or turf depending on that stadium.
• Broadcasts of away games will often show Atlanta United playing on a mix of turf and grass throughout the season.

Playing on Turf in Atlanta: What Local Players and Fans Should Know

If you or your kids play soccer in the Atlanta area, you’ll notice that turf is common around the metro:

• Many youth clubs, school fields, and training complexes use artificial turf.
• Turf fields are popular in and around Atlanta because they can handle heavy use and variable weather.

That means local players and fans often:

• Grow up very familiar with turf
• Feel comfortable with the speed and bounce they see at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
• Easily relate to how matches look and feel when watching Atlanta United at home

Visiting Mercedes‑Benz Stadium: Practical Tips for Fans

If you’re heading to a match in Atlanta, here’s how the turf setup might affect your visit.

Sightlines and Field Level

Because the turf surface is flat and consistent, you can expect:

• Clear sightlines from most sections
• A clean, uniform field view that photographs well
• Good visibility even from higher levels, since the color and texture are consistent

What to Wear and Bring

While the field is turf, the more important factor for you is the indoor environment:

• ⚽ Layers help – the stadium is climate-controlled and can feel cooler than outside on hot Atlanta days.
• Comfortable shoes are useful, especially if you walk around the Home Depot Backyard or surrounding areas before the match.
• If you’re sitting close to the field, you’ll see the turf pellets and texture up close, but there’s no special clothing needed for spectators because of the turf.

Quick Comparison: Turf vs. Grass for Atlanta United Fans

Here’s a simple overview of what turf at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium means in practice:

How to Check Field Conditions for a Specific Match

If you want to confirm whether a particular Atlanta United match in Atlanta will be on turf:

1. Check the venue

   • If it says Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA, the match will be on turf.

2. Look at special event notes

   • On rare occasions, international events in some stadiums involve temporary grass. If that ever applied in Atlanta, it would usually be clearly mentioned as a special feature.
   • As a general rule, standard Atlanta United home games are on turf.

3. Match info from official channels

   • Atlanta United’s official match information usually lists the venue and basic details, even if it doesn’t explicitly say “turf.” If it’s in Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, you can safely assume artificial turf.

Useful Local Details for Atlanta‑Based Fans

If you’re planning a soccer‑focused day in Atlanta:

• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium Address
  1 AMB Drive NW
  Atlanta, GA 30313

• Nearest MARTA Stations

  • GWCC/CNN Center Station (Blue/Green Line)
  • Vine City Station (Blue/Green Line)

Both are a short walk to the stadium, which is especially convenient on busy match days when traffic and parking around downtown Atlanta can be tight.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Soccer Fans

• Yes, Atlanta United plays on turf at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium.
• The turf is modern, professional-grade artificial turf, not the outdated “carpet” fields some fans might remember from older stadiums.
• Home matches in Atlanta feature a fast, high-energy style of play, supported by the turf and the indoor environment.
• If you attend a game in Atlanta, you’ll be watching soccer on a well-maintained artificial surface in a climate-controlled, loud, and visually impressive stadium.

For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, knowing that Atlanta United plays on turf helps set expectations—whether you’re buying tickets, watching on TV, or comparing the experience to other MLS cities.