How Many Seats Are in Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to Capacity, Layout & Events

If you live in Atlanta or you’re planning a trip for a big game or concert, it helps to know exactly how big Mercedes‑Benz Stadium is and how the seating works. The short answer: Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in Atlanta has a seating capacity of about 71,000 for most events, but that number can go up or down depending on what’s happening inside.

Below is a clear breakdown of how many seats there are, how capacity changes by event, and what that means for your experience on game day or concert night.

Mercedes‑Benz Stadium Seating Capacity at a Glance

Typical capacities you’ll hear for Mercedes‑Benz Stadium:

• NFL / Atlanta Falcons games: about 71,000 seats
• MLS / Atlanta United FC matches: usually 42,000–45,000 seats, expandable to NFL-style capacity for major matches
• College football and special events: often over 70,000, sometimes pushing around 75,000–80,000 with temporary/expanded seating
• Major concerts and mega-events: can vary widely, roughly 40,000–75,000+, depending on stage setup

Quick Capacity Snapshot

These numbers are approximate because seating is flexible. The stadium was designed in a way that lets operators open or close different sections to match the event.

Why the Seating Number Changes

If you’ve heard different answers for “how many seats are in Mercedes‑Benz Stadium,” you’re not imagining things. The physical number of fixed seats stays consistent, but the available capacity changes based on:

• Which levels are open (for example, upper deck open vs. closed)
• Event type (football vs. soccer vs. concert)
• Use of standing-room-only areas
• Floor/field seating (for concerts or special events)
• Safety and operational limits set for each event

For everyday use, when locals talk about size, they usually refer to the NFL capacity of about 71,000. That’s the standard benchmark for Atlanta sports fans.

Falcons Games: Full Stadium Mode

For Atlanta Falcons home games, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium usually operates in its full bowl configuration:

• Seating capacity: Around 71,000
• Levels in use: Lower bowl, mezzanine/club levels, and upper deck
• Additional areas: Club seats and suites add to the total but are counted within that capacity

If you’re a Falcons fan in Atlanta, this is the version of the stadium you’re most familiar with: all decks lit, the halo board in full view, and the building packed with red and black.

What this means for your visit

• Bigger crowds: Expect heavier traffic on Northside Drive NW, Martin Luther King Jr. Dr SW, and around the Vine City and GWCC/CNN Center MARTA stations.
• More open concession areas: With full capacity, more food and beverage stands are typically in operation.
• Best bet for a “big stadium” feel: If you want the true scale of Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, a Falcons game is the clearest example.

Atlanta United Matches: Scaled Seating for Soccer

For Atlanta United FC, capacity is often different from NFL Sundays.

Many MLS matches use a more intimate configuration:

• Typical capacity: About 42,000–45,000 seats
• How it works: Some upper-level sections are curtained off, creating a tighter, louder environment around the pitch.
• Big matches: For rivalry games, playoffs, or special nights, the stadium can open to 70,000+, similar to an NFL setup.

Why Atlanta United doesn’t always use all 71,000 seats

• Demand varies by match and day of week.
• A smaller seating map can increase atmosphere and noise, which many soccer fans enjoy.
• It allows operators to optimize staffing and costs while still filling the lower bowl and core sections.

If you’re heading to a match, check your ticket map: it will show whether it’s a “full venue” or reduced-capacity soccer configuration.

College Football and Championship Games

Atlanta is a regular host for college football showcases, including:

• The SEC Championship Game
• The Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game
• Various bowl games and playoff contests

For these events, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium often runs at or near full capacity:

• Typical capacity: Around 71,000, sometimes 75,000+ when extra or temporary seating and standing areas are used
• Configuration: Similar to NFL games, with the full bowl open

These events can feel even more crowded than a regular-season NFL game, especially when both schools bring strong traveling fan bases into downtown Atlanta.

Concerts: Why Capacity Can Swing Widely

When big tours come through Atlanta, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium becomes a concert venue, and seating can look very different from sports events.

Factors that change concert capacity

• Stage location: End-stage vs. center-stage vs. in-the-round
• How much of the field is used for seating
• Production footprint: Size of stage, equipment towers, and camera platforms
• Whether upper levels are open

Common concert capacity ranges:

• Smaller or partially scaled shows: Around 40,000–50,000
• Large-scale tours and in-demand artists: Sometimes 60,000–75,000+

Your ticket map will clearly show how many sections are sold, but don’t be surprised if the upper deck is only partially open or if some areas are blocked off by the stage setup.

Types of Seats Inside Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

Even though you may hear just one number for capacity, there are different kinds of seating inside the stadium. For Atlanta residents and visitors, understanding these can help you pick the right experience.

1. General Bowl Seating

• Location: Lower bowl, mezzanine, and upper bowl
• Use: Most common for Falcons games, college football, and soccer
• Pros: Wide range of price points and views
• Note: The vast majority of the 71,000+ capacity is standard bowl seating.

2. Club Seating

Club seats are usually located along prime sightlines with enhanced amenities. Features can include:

• Wider seats in certain areas
• Access to indoor lounge spaces
• Closer proximity to midfield or the 50-yard line

They’re counted in the total capacity, but they offer a different experience from standard seats.

3. Suites and Private Boxes

Mercedes‑Benz Stadium has multiple suite levels, which can include:

• Traditional suites
• Loge or smaller group spaces
• Specialty hospitality areas

Suites contribute to the overall capacity but are usually sold on annual or event packages, not single-game general admission.

4. Standing-Room and Floor Seating

For some events, especially concerts and special sports events:

• Floor/field seating can be added on top of the normal capacity
• Standing-room-only areas may be available, either via specific tickets or as open gathering zones

This is one way capacity can edge beyond the usual football number for major Atlanta events.

Where the Stadium Is in Atlanta and How That Affects Crowds

Knowing capacity is useful, but in Atlanta, it also affects your transportation and timing plans.

Stadium address:

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

How big crowds impact your visit

With 70,000+ people in and around the stadium, especially on Sundays or big Saturday games:

• MARTA use increases:
  • Popular stations: GWCC/CNN Center, Vine City, and Five Points (for transfers).
• Road traffic builds up around:
  • Northside Dr NW
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Dr SW
  • North Ave NW and Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd NW
• Parking lots and decks around the Georgia World Congress Center and State Farm Arena fill quickly.

If you’re an Atlanta local, you may want to plan to arrive earlier than usual for events expected to be at full or near-full capacity. Visitors may find it easiest to rely on MARTA or rideshare drop-offs away from the main choke points.

How to Check Capacity for a Specific Event

If you want to know how many seats will actually be in use for the event you’re attending in Atlanta, look for:

1. Ticket map during purchase
   • Closed sections or curtained areas mean a reduced-capacity configuration.
2. Event description
   • MLS matches may note if it’s a “full stadium” or standard configuration.
3. Promoter or team announcements
   • Big games or concerts will sometimes highlight expected attendance or “expanded capacity.”

For the most precise information about seating and capacity for a specific date, you can contact:

Mercedes‑Benz Stadium Guest Services
Phone: Commonly available through the stadium’s main information line or game-day information postings
On-site: Guest Service kiosks located throughout the concourses on event days

Locals often find it easiest to get details through the team or event’s ticket office, especially for questions about which sections are open and what the view will be like from specific seats.

In practical terms, if you’re planning around size, crowds, or atmosphere, you can think of Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in Atlanta as:

• Around 71,000 seats for football and major events,
• Around the mid‑40,000s for many Atlanta United matches, and
• Highly flexible for concerts and special shows, ranging roughly from the 40,000s to the 70,000s, depending on how it’s configured.