When Is the Super Bowl in Atlanta? What Fans in the City Need to Know

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and wondering “When is the Super Bowl in Atlanta?”, the key thing to know is this:

However, Atlanta is a major Super Bowl–caliber city and is often in the conversation to host future games. Below is a clear breakdown of how Super Bowl scheduling works, what’s already booked in other cities, what that means for Atlanta, and how you can still enjoy the Super Bowl in Atlanta even when the game is played elsewhere.

Has the Super Bowl Been Scheduled for Atlanta Again?

As of the most recent league announcements:

  • No future Super Bowl date has been awarded to Atlanta yet.
  • Super Bowl LIII (2019) was the most recent Super Bowl in the city.
  • The NFL typically announces host cities several years in advance, and those announced games are currently assigned to other cities.

Atlanta remains a strong candidate for future events because of:

  • Mercedes‑Benz Stadium (1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313) – a modern, retractable-roof venue.
  • A large number of downtown hotels and restaurants within walking or short transit distance.
  • Access via Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a major air hub.

Atlanta leaders and local sports organizations regularly express interest in hosting large national events, so it’s reasonable to expect Atlanta to bid on future Super Bowls, even if no date has been locked in.

How the NFL Decides When and Where the Super Bowl Is Played

To understand when the Super Bowl could return to Atlanta, it helps to know how the NFL’s scheduling process generally works:

1. Long-Range Planning

The NFL typically:

  • Chooses host cities 3–5 years in advance.
  • Focuses on cities with:
    • Modern stadiums (often with a roof or warm-weather location).
    • Strong hotel capacity and event infrastructure.
    • Reliable transportation, including airport access and public transit.

Atlanta checks all of these boxes, which is why it hosted in 1994 (Super Bowl XXVIII), 2000 (Super Bowl XXXIV), and 2019 (Super Bowl LIII).

2. Bid Process and Local Committees

When a city wants to host a Super Bowl:

  • A group like the Atlanta Sports Council and local business leaders typically help coordinate a formal bid to the NFL.
  • They outline:
    • Stadium readiness (Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in Atlanta’s case).
    • Security, transit, and traffic plans.
    • Hotel and hospitality capacity across Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead.
  • The NFL then compares proposals from multiple cities before making a selection.

Because this is an internal league decision-making process, residents often hear about the result only when the NFL makes an official announcement.

Where the Next Super Bowls Are Scheduled (and What That Means for Atlanta)

The NFL has already announced specific host cities for upcoming Super Bowls. While exact years may vary as new announcements are made, the pattern looks like this:

Upcoming SeasonsHost City (Announced)What It Means for Atlanta
Next 1–3 seasonsOther NFL cities (not ATL)Atlanta will be a watch-party city, not the host.
3–5+ years outTo be decidedAtlanta may submit or continue bids for future games.

Because the NFL spaces out Super Bowls among different regions and new stadiums, a city like Atlanta usually waits several years between hosting opportunities. The gap between Atlanta’s 2000 and 2019 Super Bowls is a good example of this long cycle.

How to Find Out When the Super Bowl Might Return to Atlanta

If you live in Atlanta or visit regularly and want to keep track of future hosting news, you can:

  • Watch official announcements from:
    • The NFL (league-wide announcements often made in the offseason).
    • The Atlanta Falcons organization (headquartered in Flowery Branch but closely tied to stadium and event news).
    • The Atlanta Sports Council, which promotes major events in the city.
  • Pay attention to local Atlanta news outlets, which typically cover major bids and NFL decisions in detail.
  • Follow Mercedes‑Benz Stadium event calendars to see when major sporting events are scheduled.

When the NFL awards a Super Bowl to a city, it’s typically widely reported and hard to miss in local media, especially in an NFL city like Atlanta.

Watching the Super Bowl in Atlanta (Even When It’s Not Here)

Even if the Super Bowl isn’t physically in Atlanta, the city is still one of the best places to watch the game.

Popular Ways Atlanta Residents Enjoy the Super Bowl

  1. Sports Bars and Restaurants
    Across neighborhoods like Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, West Midtown, and the Battery Atlanta near Truist Park, sports bars typically offer:

    • Big-screen TVs and projectors
    • Game-day menus and drink specials
    • Group seating for friends or coworkers

  2. Home Watch Parties
    Many Atlantans prefer:

    • Hosting house parties in city neighborhoods or metro-area suburbs.
    • Catering from local spots or picking up takeout wings, BBQ, or pizza.
    • Using streaming services or broadcast TV from local Atlanta stations that carry the game.

  3. Community and Church Events
    Some community centers, churches, and neighborhood associations in Atlanta host family-friendly viewing events with:

    • Big screens in fellowship halls or gyms
    • Potluck-style food
    • Activities for kids during the game

If you’re new to Atlanta, checking local community boards or neighborhood social groups can quickly show you where Super Bowl gatherings are happening near you.

Super Bowl Impact on Atlanta When the City Hosts

When the Super Bowl is in Atlanta (as it was in 2019), residents notice significant changes around the city. While there’s no confirmed future date yet, it’s helpful to know what to expect if/when it returns.

1. Event Zones and Fan Experiences

During Super Bowl LIII in 2019, much of the action centered around:

  • Mercedes‑Benz Stadium (1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313)
    Home to the game itself.
  • Georgia World Congress Center (285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313)
    Used for fan festivals and interactive exhibits.
  • Centennial Olympic Park
    Hosted concerts, fan events, and sponsor activations.

If Atlanta hosts again, residents can expect similar “Super Bowl Live” fan zones and entertainment hubs in these areas and along the Downtown entertainment corridor.

2. Traffic, Parking, and Transit

Hosting the Super Bowl brings:

  • Road closures around the stadium and key event sites.
  • Extremely limited surface parking near Downtown.
  • Increased crowds on MARTA rail and buses, particularly around:
    • GWCC/CNN Center Station
    • Five Points
    • Peachtree Center

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) often extends service hours or adds extra trains during major events. Riders can contact:

  • MARTA Customer Information
    Phone: 404-848-5000
    For help planning routes, checking service changes, and understanding station access near event zones.

If you live or work downtown, planning ahead for alternate routes and transit options is essential when the Super Bowl comes to town.

3. Hotel and Short-Term Rental Demand

A Super Bowl in Atlanta typically leads to:

  • High demand at Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead hotels.
  • Increased activity in short-term rentals across in-town neighborhoods.
  • Higher prices and reduced last-minute availability.

Residents who commute into the city center may notice heavier pedestrian traffic, especially from visiting fans staying near Peachtree Street, the convention center, and Centennial Olympic Park.

Key Atlanta Contacts and Resources for Major Events

While they do not control NFL scheduling, certain local entities are central to organizing big events like the Super Bowl:

  • Atlanta Sports Council
    Works with leagues and organizations to bring major sporting events to the region, including past Super Bowls and college championships.

  • City of Atlanta – Mayor’s Office of Special Events
    City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
    Oversees permits and logistics for large public events, road closures, and city services during major occasions.

  • MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority)
    Headquarters: 2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
    Customer Info: 404-848-5000
    Key for transit planning during high-traffic events near Mercedes‑Benz Stadium.

These organizations are often involved when Atlanta prepares for national-scale events, including any future Super Bowl.

Quick Answers for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

Is there a Super Bowl scheduled in Atlanta right now?
No. No upcoming Super Bowl date is currently assigned to Atlanta.

When was the last Super Bowl in Atlanta?
Super Bowl LIII was held on February 3, 2019, at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in Downtown Atlanta.

Could Atlanta host another Super Bowl in the future?
Yes. Atlanta has the facilities and track record to host again, but no official year has been announced. Future decisions are made by the NFL.

How can I enjoy the Super Bowl in Atlanta if the game is played in another city?
You can:

  • Watch at sports bars across Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and other neighborhoods.
  • Host or attend home watch parties.
  • Join community or church viewing events around the metro area.

Where would a future Super Bowl in Atlanta take place?
Any future Super Bowl in Atlanta would be expected to take place at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, with related fan activities in surrounding areas like the Georgia World Congress Center and Centennial Olympic Park.

In short, while there’s no confirmed date for the next Super Bowl in Atlanta, the city remains a major football hub and a lively place to experience the game each year—whether Atlanta is the host city or the country’s favorite watch-party destination.