How Old Are the Atlanta Falcons? A Local Guide for Atlanta Fans

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and wondering “How old are the Atlanta Falcons?”, you’re really asking about the age and history of one of the city’s most recognizable sports franchises.

The Atlanta Falcons were established in 1965, and they began playing in the 1966 NFL season. That means the team is around 60 years old, depending on whether you count from the franchise award (1965) or their first kickoff (1966).

Below is a clear breakdown of what that means for Atlanta, how the team has grown with the city, and what locals and visitors might want to know.

Quick Age Snapshot of the Atlanta Falcons

*Ages are approximate because they depend on the current year and whether you count from 1965 or 1966.

Why 1965 Matters: How the Falcons Came to Atlanta

The Falcons were officially born when the National Football League awarded Atlanta an expansion franchise in 1965. This was a major milestone for the city:

• Atlanta was establishing itself as a growing, modern Southern city.
• Bringing in an NFL team helped put Atlanta on the national sports map.
• The franchise became a long-term part of Atlanta’s identity, alongside other local teams like the Braves and, later, the Hawks in the NBA.

For locals, when you say the Falcons are about 60 years old, you’re really talking about how long Atlanta has been an NFL city.

Where the Falcons Have Played Over the Years

If you live in or are visiting Atlanta, the history of the Falcons is tied closely to Atlanta stadium history.

Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium (1966–1991)

• First home of the Falcons, starting with their inaugural 1966 season.
• Located in downtown Atlanta, it was a shared venue with the Atlanta Braves.
• Many longtime Atlantans still associate early Falcons history with this stadium.

The Georgia Dome (1992–2016)

• Opened in 1992 and gave the Falcons a modern, indoor home.
• Hosted countless Falcons home games, playoff games, and major events.
• For many fans who grew up in the ’90s and 2000s, this is where their early Falcons memories were made.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium (2017–Present)

• Opened in 2017 in downtown Atlanta, next to the former Georgia Dome site.
• Current home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC (MLS).
• If you’re going to a game now, you’ll be heading to:
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium
    1 AMB Drive NW
    Atlanta, GA 30313

This progression of stadiums reflects how both the Falcons and the city of Atlanta have grown up together over the decades.

How the Falcons Fit Into Atlanta’s Sports Timeline

Putting the Falcons’ age into local context can help:

• Atlanta Braves (MLB): Moved to Atlanta in 1966.
• Atlanta Falcons (NFL): Started playing in 1966.
• Atlanta Hawks (NBA): Moved to Atlanta in 1968.

So the Falcons are roughly as old as modern big-league Atlanta sports as we know it. When people talk about Atlanta’s professional sports history, they’re usually talking about the last five to six decades, with the Falcons right in the middle of that story.

What This Means If You’re a Fan in Atlanta

Knowing the Falcons are about 60 years old adds context if you:

1. Want to understand local sports culture

• The Falcons are part of multi-generational Atlanta fandom.
• Many families in metro Atlanta have parents, kids, and even grandparents who’ve all followed the team at different stages: from outdoor games at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, to the Georgia Dome era, to the current Mercedes-Benz Stadium era.

2. Are new to Atlanta or just visiting

If you’ve recently moved to Atlanta or you’re in town for a weekend:

• The Falcons are one of the key anchors of downtown activity during football season.
• Game days affect:
  • Traffic around downtown and the Vine City area.
  • MARTA ridership, especially at the GWCC/CNN Center and Vine City stations.
  • Local businesses in areas like the Marietta Street corridor and Castleberry Hill.

Understanding that this team has been around for decades helps explain why Falcons gear, flags, and logos are so visible across the city.

3. Want to visit Falcons-related spots in Atlanta

You can connect with the Falcons’ past and present at:

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium – for games, tours, and events.
• The surrounding Home Depot Backyard – used for tailgating and community events.
• Sports bars and restaurants across Downtown, Midtown, and the Vinings/Cumberland area that cater to longtime fans on game day.

Common Questions About the Falcons’ Age

Do the Falcons’ uniforms show their age or history?

Over nearly 60 years, the Falcons have updated their uniforms several times, but they’ve generally kept:

• The falcon logo, often in black and red.
• Red, black, and white as main colors, tying back to their original identity.

Longtime Atlantans sometimes identify the era they started watching by the uniform style or logo they remember.

Are the Falcons one of the oldest teams in the NFL?

No. While the Falcons are decades old, many NFL franchises date back to the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. The Falcons are part of a later wave of expansion teams that brought the league into growing cities like Atlanta.

How long have the Falcons been at Mercedes-Benz Stadium?

• They have played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium since the 2017 NFL season.
• So while the franchise is around 60 years old, their current home is less than a decade old, giving you a mix of long history and modern facilities if you attend a game.

Practical Tips if You’re Planning a Falcons Game Day in Atlanta 🏈

Knowing the team’s long history in the city can make game day feel more meaningful. A few local-minded tips:

• Transportation:
  • MARTA’s GWCC/CNN Center Station and Vine City Station are popular for getting to games without worrying about parking.
• Timing:
  • On home game Sundays, downtown fills up early. Arriving 1–2 hours before kickoff is common for fans who want to enjoy the area.
• Family traditions:
  • Many Atlanta families make Falcons games a multi-generational tradition, especially for big rivalry games.

The Bottom Line: How Old Are the Atlanta Falcons?

• The Atlanta Falcons franchise was established in 1965.
• They began playing NFL games in 1966.
• That makes the team about 60 years old, and they’ve been part of Atlanta’s sports identity for nearly six decades.

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or are just trying to understand how the Falcons fit into the city’s story, you can think of them as a middle-aged but deeply rooted Atlanta institution—old enough to have generations of fans, but still modern enough to be shaping what sports in Atlanta looks like today.