Atlanta United has quickly become one of the city’s biggest sports traditions, and knowing when they play helps you plan everything from MARTA rides to pregame meetups downtown. While specific dates change every year, there are clear patterns that can help you keep track of the season.
Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide to when Atlanta United plays, where they play, and how to keep up with the schedule all year long.
Atlanta United plays in Major League Soccer (MLS), which has a fairly consistent yearly rhythm:
If you live in Atlanta, this means your heaviest run of home games is usually March through September, with a mix of weekday and weekend matches at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium.
Exact dates and times change every year, but there are strong patterns in when Atlanta United plays:
Most Atlanta United matches fall on:
Friday and Monday games are less common but can happen, especially for nationally televised matches.
Kickoff times are usually set to balance TV schedules, stadium events, and fan attendance. Typical start times at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium (MBS) include:
Because MLS adjusts times for TV broadcasts and national coverage, always double‑check the official schedule close to match day, especially if you’re coordinating MARTA, rideshares, or parking downtown.
Almost all home matches are played at:
Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
Select matches, especially preseason or special events, may be played at other venues in the region, but MLS regular-season home games are centered at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium.
Each MLS season, Atlanta United plays a mix of home and away games:
From an Atlanta resident or visitor’s perspective, what matters most is:
You can expect roughly half the games to be in Atlanta, spread fairly evenly across the season, though some months may be heavier than others.
| Time of Year | What to Expect in Atlanta |
|---|---|
| Late Feb – March | Season kicks off, first home games at MBS |
| April – May | Regular weekend and some midweek matches |
| June – July | Regular MLS games + possible Leagues Cup/other events |
| August – September | Busy stretch of important MLS matches |
| October | End of regular season; playoff push |
| Late Oct – Dec* | MLS playoffs (if the team qualifies) |
*Timing can change slightly depending on league format and TV schedules.
Because dates, kickoff times, and competition formats can change from year to year, the most accurate schedule will always be the official one for the current season. To get up‑to‑date details while you’re in Atlanta, you can:
If you’re planning travel into downtown Atlanta, it’s wise to confirm:
Knowing when Atlanta United plays is only half the story; in Atlanta, how match days feel matters too.
When Atlanta United has a home game, expect:
If you’re not going to the match but live or work downtown, it can help to:
When Atlanta United plays at home, most fans aim to arrive:
For visitors, it’s useful to build in extra time to:
When you ask, “When does Atlanta United play?” you might also be thinking about non‑MLS competitions. Throughout the year, the team may play in:
Match days for these events follow similar patterns (evenings, weekends), but they may be announced on a different timeline than regular-season fixtures. If you’re in Atlanta and want to attend, it’s a good idea to monitor the schedule as each new competition is announced.
For planning in Atlanta—booking hotels, organizing group outings, or arranging transportation—timing matters.
In a typical year:
If you’re trying to plan well in advance—for example, a spring break trip to Atlanta or a summer weekend downtown—you can usually see the majority of Atlanta United’s home games listed months ahead of time, then confirm times as the date approaches.
With these patterns in mind, you can quickly figure out when Atlanta United plays, how that fits your calendar, and how to navigate Atlanta on match days—whether you’re cheering from the stands inside Mercedes‑Benz Stadium or watching from elsewhere in the city.
