When Did the Atlanta Falcons Start? A Local Fan’s Guide to the Team’s First Season
The Atlanta Falcons began play in the NFL in 1966. That year marks the official start of Atlanta’s NFL franchise and the beginning of pro football as a major part of the city’s sports identity.
If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or are just digging into local sports history, understanding how and why the Falcons started in 1966 helps explain a lot about the city’s growth, its football culture, and why game days still matter so much here.
The Short Answer: Falcons Football Started in 1966
- Year the Atlanta Falcons started:1966
- League: National Football League (NFL)
- First season record: 3 wins, 11 losses
- Home stadium in 1966:Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, near downtown
The NFL awarded Atlanta a franchise in 1965, and the team took the field for its inaugural season in 1966. From that point on, Atlanta became a permanent part of the national football conversation.
How the Falcons Came to Atlanta
Why 1966 Was a Turning Point for Atlanta Sports
In the mid-1960s, Atlanta was growing quickly and positioning itself as a major city in the Southeast. Local leaders wanted:
- A big-league identity to match the city’s growth
- Major professional sports to attract business, tourism, and national attention
- A modern stadium that could host multiple teams and events
The construction of Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium (completed in 1965, just south of downtown) helped convince the NFL that Atlanta was ready for a franchise.
Getting the Franchise
- In June 1965, the NFL officially granted Atlanta a franchise, making the Falcons the league’s 15th team.
- The team spent late 1965 and early 1966 hiring coaches, drafting players, and building a roster.
- By fall 1966, the Falcons kicked off their first regular season.
For Atlanta residents at the time, this was a major milestone. The city now had both Major League Baseball (the Braves, who arrived in 1966) and an NFL team in the same stadium.
Key Early Milestones in Falcons History (Atlanta-Focused)
Here’s a simple overview of the Falcons’ early years that matter most to Atlanta’s sports history:
| Year | What Happened | Why It Matters to Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | NFL awards Atlanta an expansion franchise | Official birth of the Atlanta Falcons organization |
| 1966 | Falcons play their first NFL season | Pro football arrives in Atlanta |
| 1966 | First regular-season game vs. Los Angeles Rams | First time Atlanta fans see their NFL team in real action |
| 1969 | First winning season (6–8, improved from earlier years) | Signals that the team is becoming more competitive |
| 1971 | First winning record (7–6–1) | Falcons establish themselves as a serious team |
| 1978 | First playoff appearance | City gets its first taste of NFL postseason football |
| 1992 | Team moves planning forward for a new home stadium | Paves the way for the Georgia Dome and later Mercedes-Benz Stadium |
| 2017 | Team moves to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Downtown Atlanta | Modern era of Falcons football in a state-of-the-art facility |
Even if you only remember the Falcons from recent seasons, all of this traces back to that 1966 starting point.
Where the Falcons Have Played in Atlanta
If you’re in Atlanta today, you’re standing in the middle of decades of Falcons history.
1. Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium (First Home)
- Location: Just south of downtown, near where the former Turner Field and present Georgia State University stadium area is.
- Falcons years:1966–1991
- Why it matters: This is where the Falcons started their journey and where Atlanta fans first experienced NFL football.
If you drive or walk near the Summerhill neighborhood or around the old stadium site, you’re close to where the Falcons kicked off that first season in 1966.
2. Georgia Dome
- Location: Downtown Atlanta, near what is now Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Falcons years:1992–2016
- Hosted some of the team’s most memorable runs, including major playoff games and key seasons.
3. Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Current Home)
- Location: 1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
- Opened:2017
- Current home of the Atlanta Falcons
If you’re visiting or living in Atlanta and want to connect with the team that started in 1966, Mercedes-Benz Stadium is where you’ll see the modern version of that legacy on the field today.
Why 1966 Still Matters to Fans in Atlanta
Even if you’re a newer fan, the 1966 start date shows up in a few ways:
1. Longstanding Local Loyalty
Many Falcons fans in metro Atlanta grew up with the team through:
- The early struggles after 1966
- The first playoffs
- The team’s different stadium eras
Knowing that the Falcons have been here since 1966 gives context to that loyalty and frustration, especially when you hear older fans talk about “back in the day.”
2. Part of Atlanta’s Growth Story
Atlanta in the 1960s was positioning itself as the “capital of the New South.” Landing an NFL team in 1966 wasn’t just a sports story; it was a city-building story:
- Helped bring more national attention
- Supported local business around the stadium area
- Gave Atlanta another cultural touchpoint alongside music, civil rights history, and other major developments
3. Connecting Generations
For many Atlanta families:
- Grandparents or parents remember those early years at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium.
- Younger fans know the Falcons from Mercedes-Benz Stadium and more recent star players.
All of that connects back to 1966, when the team officially started.
Visiting Atlanta and Want to Experience Falcons History?
If you’re in town and curious about the Falcons’ 1966 roots, here are a few practical ways to connect with that history:
1. Catch a Game or Take a Tour at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Location: 1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
- What you’ll get:
- A look at the team’s modern home, which evolved from those early 1966 beginnings
- Views of memorabilia, team imagery, and the game-day atmosphere that has developed over decades
Even on non-game days, stadium tours often give insight into team history, including references back to the franchise’s early years.
2. Explore the Area Around the Old Stadium Site
The former Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium site is near:
- The Summerhill neighborhood
- The area around the old Turner Field (now part of Georgia State University’s facilities)
Walking or driving through this area gives a sense of where the Falcons first played after starting in 1966. You won’t find the original stadium, but you’re in the footprint of Atlanta’s earliest NFL Sundays.
Basic Falcons Timeline for Atlanta Fans
Here’s a quick, Atlanta-focused summary you can refer to:
- 1965: NFL grants Atlanta a franchise.
- 1966:Atlanta Falcons start playing in the NFL at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium.
- 1978: First playoff appearance, a major milestone for the city.
- 1992: Move to the Georgia Dome in downtown Atlanta.
- 2017: Move to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, continuing the legacy that began in 1966.
What Atlanta Residents Usually Want to Know
Is 1966 the year the team was founded or just when they played?
Atlanta was awarded the franchise in 1965, but the team officially began playing in the NFL in 1966. When people ask, “What year did the Atlanta Falcons start?” they almost always mean the first season, which is 1966.
Have the Falcons always been based in Atlanta?
Yes. From day one in 1966, the Falcons have always been an Atlanta-based team, representing the city and the broader metro area.
Did any other city have the Falcons before 1966?
No. Unlike some other NFL franchises that moved from city to city, the Falcons were created specifically for Atlanta and have been rooted here since their first season.
For anyone in Atlanta trying to understand the team’s origins, the key fact is simple and central: the Atlanta Falcons started in 1966, launching a football tradition that is still a major part of the city’s identity today.