Atlanta United: How Atlanta’s MLS Team Fits Into the City and Its Sports Culture

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting and keep hearing about Atlanta United, you’re hearing about one of the city’s biggest sports success stories. Atlanta United is Atlanta’s professional Major League Soccer (MLS) team, and it has quickly become a major part of local culture, game-day life, and downtown activity.

Below is a clear breakdown of what Atlanta United is, how it works, and what it means for people who live in or come to Atlanta.

What Is Atlanta United?

Atlanta United FC is a professional soccer club based in Atlanta, Georgia, competing in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top-level men’s professional soccer league in the United States and Canada.

Key points:

• League: Major League Soccer (Eastern Conference)
• Home city: Atlanta, Georgia
• Home stadium: Mercedes‑Benz Stadium (downtown Atlanta)
• Founded: Announced in 2014, first MLS season in 2017
• Ownership: Operated by Arthur M. Blank’s AMB Sports + Entertainment, the same group that owns the Atlanta Falcons

For Atlanta residents, Atlanta United is:

• A major local sports team, like the Falcons, Hawks, and Braves
• A regular source of events downtown, especially on weekends during the season
• A community hub that runs youth programs, local partnerships, and fan events across the metro area

Where Does Atlanta United Play?

Home Stadium: Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

Atlanta United plays its home matches at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, located in downtown Atlanta:

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

This is the same stadium used by the Atlanta Falcons (NFL). For locals, that means:

• It’s easily reachable from many parts of the metro area via the I‑75/85 Connector, I‑20, and MARTA.
• It’s walkable from many downtown destinations, including Centennial Olympic Park, State Farm Arena, and parts of the Georgia World Congress Center campus.

Getting to a Game

If you’re planning to attend an Atlanta United match in Atlanta:

MARTA access:

• GWCC/CNN Center Station (Blue/Green Line): Short walk to the stadium.
• Vine City Station (Blue/Green Line): Also a common stop for fans.

Using MARTA is often the easiest option on busy matchdays, especially when downtown parking fills up.

Driving and parking:

• The stadium area includes multiple decks and surface lots managed through the Georgia World Congress Center and surrounding properties.
• Parking is usually reservation-based on event days, so locals often secure parking in advance for weekend or high-demand matches.

How Atlanta United Fits Into Atlanta’s Sports Scene

Atlanta United is one of the core professional sports teams in the city, alongside:

• Atlanta Falcons (NFL)
• Atlanta Hawks (NBA)
• Atlanta Braves (MLB)

What makes Atlanta United stand out in Atlanta:

• Strong fan culture: Home matches often feature large crowds, chanting, and coordinated supporter sections, giving downtown a lively matchday atmosphere.
• Downtown impact: On game days, you’ll notice heavier foot traffic, restaurants and bars around Centennial Olympic Park and the Gulch filling up, and more activity on MARTA.
• Soccer popularity: For many local families and younger fans, Atlanta United has become their main connection to professional soccer, with kids’ jerseys, rec leagues inspired by the team, and youth clinics.

When Does Atlanta United Play?

MLS Season Timing

Atlanta United plays in the Major League Soccer regular season, which generally runs:

• Early spring through late fall (roughly February/March through October), followed by potential playoff matches.

Typical match patterns in Atlanta:

• Weekend home games: Many home matches are held on Saturday or Sunday, often in the afternoon or early evening.
• Occasional weekday matches: There may be midweek games, especially during busy portions of the schedule or cup competitions.

Types of Matches You Might See on the Schedule

• MLS Regular Season – The main league competition; most home games you’ll see on the calendar.
• MLS Cup Playoffs – Postseason games if the team qualifies.
• U.S. Open Cup or other cup matches – Knockout competitions that sometimes bring non-MLS clubs to Atlanta.
• Friendly or exhibition matches – From time to time, the club may host international or special exhibition games at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium.

For Atlanta residents, the schedule influences:

• Downtown traffic and parking
• Crowds at nearby destinations like College Football Hall of Fame, World of Coca‑Cola, Georgia Aquarium, and State Farm Arena if multiple events overlap

What Is a Matchday Like in Atlanta?

If you’re new to soccer or just curious what to expect in Atlanta:

Atmosphere and Fan Culture

Atlanta United matches are known for:

• Supporters’ sections with drums, flags, and coordinated chants
• Fans dressed in red, black, and gold (team colors)
• A visible presence of team scarves regardless of weather

Many locals treat Atlanta United games as:

• A downtown outing with friends or family
• A chance to explore bars, restaurants, and patios in areas like:
  • Downtown (near the stadium)
  • Castleberry Hill
  • Westside and sections of Midtown that host watch parties

Match Length and Experience

A typical Atlanta United matchday usually looks like:

1. Arrive 60–90 minutes early to navigate MARTA or parking and stadium entry.
2. Two 45‑minute halves with a 15‑minute halftime, plus stoppage time.
3. Post-match crowds moving to MARTA stations, streets, and nearby restaurants.

Families often appreciate that soccer matches generally run around two hours total, making it easier to plan around other downtown activities.

Atlanta United’s Role in the Local Community

Beyond matches, Atlanta United has become a visible part of Atlanta’s community and youth sports scene.

Youth Soccer and Development

Through its various programs, Atlanta United has supported:

• Youth training programs and clinics across metro Atlanta
• Connections to local youth clubs and development pathways
• Appearances and events in neighborhoods throughout the city and suburbs

For parents in Atlanta, this can mean:

• Increased access to soccer programming for kids
• More visibility of local fields and complexes hosting clinics or camps
• A clear “big club” to follow if your child plays soccer in the region

Community Engagement

The club and its related organizations are commonly seen:

• Partnering with Atlanta-area schools, community groups, and nonprofits
• Hosting or participating in events tied to health, education, and neighborhood development
• Supporting broader initiatives that align with the city’s sports and community priorities

How Atlanta United Affects Getting Around Atlanta

Even if you never go to a match, Atlanta United can still affect your plans in the city.

Traffic and Transit Considerations

On home match days, expect:

• Heavier MARTA use to and from GWCC/CNN Center and Vine City stations
• Slower car travel around:
  • Northside Drive NW
  • Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd NW
  • MLK Jr. Drive SW
  • Sections of the I‑75/85 Connector near downtown
• Crowded parking in decks and lots near the stadium and Georgia World Congress Center

If you live or work near downtown:

• Check the Mercedes‑Benz Stadium event calendar when planning travel, errands, or events.
• Consider adjusting commuting times on evenings when there is a major match.

If you’re visiting Atlanta:

• Factor in extra time if you’re heading to popular attractions near the stadium on a matchday.
• Using MARTA or rideshare from outside the immediate downtown core can make movement easier.

Basic Facts About Atlanta United at a Glance

Here’s a simple reference overview:

If You Want to Experience Atlanta United

For someone in Atlanta who wants to get involved or simply understand how it fits into city life, consider:

• Attending a home match at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium to experience the atmosphere.
• Using MARTA on matchdays to avoid downtown parking stress.
• Exploring nearby neighborhoods like Castleberry Hill or parts of Downtown before or after a game.
• If you have children interested in soccer, looking into local youth programs that connect with professional soccer culture in the city.

In everyday terms, Atlanta United is Atlanta’s MLS soccer club—a downtown anchor for sports, a driver of game-day energy, and an increasingly central part of how many Atlantans experience both professional soccer and their city.