Who Actually Owns Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in Atlanta?

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting for a Falcons game, an Atlanta United match, or a big concert, you might wonder: who really owns Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in Atlanta—the city, the team, or someone else?

Here’s a clear breakdown of how ownership works and what it means for people in Atlanta.

Short Answer: Who Owns Mercedes‑Benz Stadium?

Mercedes‑Benz Stadium is owned by the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA), a state agency.

However, Arthur M. Blank’s group (AMB Group)—connected to the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC—operates and controls the stadium under a long‑term agreement.

So in everyday terms:

• Legal owner: Georgia World Congress Center Authority (a public, state entity)
• Primary operator and controlling tenant: AMB Group / Atlanta Falcons organization

Most fans and visitors experience Mercedes‑Benz Stadium as “home of the Falcons and Atlanta United,” but in the background it’s part of a public‑private partnership.

Key Players Involved in the Stadium

To understand ownership in Atlanta, it helps to know who does what.

Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA)

The GWCCA is a state of Georgia authority based in downtown Atlanta. It owns the stadium facility and the land.

In the bigger picture, GWCCA also oversees:

• Georgia World Congress Center (the large convention center)
• Centennial Olympic Park
• The campus area that includes Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

Address (campus area):
285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30313

The authority’s role includes:

• Holding title to the stadium
• Overseeing long‑term agreements
• Working with the stadium operator on major improvements and planning

AMB Group / Atlanta Falcons / Atlanta United

AMB Group, founded by Arthur M. Blank, is the private organization that operates the stadium day‑to‑day.

Through long‑term agreements:

• AMB Group manages the stadium operations
• It handles Falcons and Atlanta United home games
• It oversees most non‑NFL/MLS events, such as concerts, college football games, and special events

This is why you’ll often see references to AMB Sports + Entertainment or Arthur Blank’s ownership when people talk about the stadium, even though the legal owner is GWCCA.

City of Atlanta & Public Agencies

The City of Atlanta and various public agencies also play a role through:

• Infrastructure support (roads, transit connections, public safety)
• Hotel‑motel tax arrangements that helped support funding
• Coordination through entities like Invest Atlanta on economic development aspects

They do not own the stadium, but they are part of the overall funding and planning ecosystem that made the venue possible.

Ownership vs. Operations: Why It Matters

In Atlanta, large venues like Mercedes‑Benz Stadium often involve public‑private partnerships. That can be confusing, so here’s how it typically breaks down.

Who Owns What?

For the everyday Atlantan, this structure affects:

• Ticketed events: Run through the stadium operator and teams
• Public perception: Many see it as a “team” stadium, even though it’s publicly owned
• Local policy discussions: Public funding and oversight often come up in city and state conversations

Is Mercedes‑Benz Stadium a Public or Private Stadium?

Technically, it is a public‑owned stadium because GWCCA, a state authority, holds title to it.

However, most of what you experience—food, events, fan experience, pricing, and branding—is shaped by private operations under AMB Group.

You can think of it this way if you live in Atlanta:

• Public side:

  • Ownership by a state authority
  • Part of the downtown convention and events campus
  • Connected to regional economic development and tourism

• Private side:

  • Operated like a professional sports and entertainment business
  • Home stadium for Atlanta Falcons (NFL) and Atlanta United FC (MLS)
  • Hosts big‑name concerts, college football games, and special events

Why Was This Ownership Structure Used in Atlanta?

People in Atlanta often hear about stadium funding debates and want to know how this works in practice.

Common reasons this kind of structure is used:

1. Financing large projects
   A public‑private model lets public entities and private organizations share costs and risks. For a multi‑billion‑dollar venue, this can be essential.

2. Aligning with local economic goals
   A public authority like GWCCA can design deals to support:

   • Tourism
   • Convention business
   • Downtown development around the stadium

3. Long‑term stability
   With public ownership and long‑term leases:

   • The stadium is less likely to be relocated
   • Teams have a secure home base in Atlanta
   • Upgrades and renovations can be planned over many years

How This Affects Fans and Visitors in Atlanta

Even if the legal structure feels distant, it does shape your experience at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium.

Game Days and Events

• Falcons and Atlanta United games are managed by the team operators, who set:

  • Game‑day operations
  • In‑stadium entertainment
  • Many aspects of food and beverage service

• Other events (like the SEC Championship Game, college kickoff games, or major concerts) are booked and handled through stadium management working within agreements with GWCCA and event organizers.

Ticketing and Policies

Ownership and operation mean:

• Tickets and entry rules are set by the operator and event organizers, not the city directly.
• Security protocols, bag policies, and fan codes of conduct are determined by stadium management under applicable laws and regulations.

If you have a question about an event, you’ll typically work with Mercedes‑Benz Stadium’s guest services or the team’s ticketing office, not GWCCA.

Practical Info for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

If you’re trying to figure out who to contact depending on your question, here’s a general guide.

For Event or Ticket Questions

Use the Mercedes‑Benz Stadium or team customer service channels for:

• Ticket issues
• Seating questions
• Parking information
• Event schedules

The stadium itself is located at:

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

For Public‑Side and Ownership Questions

If you are interested in:

• The stadium’s ownership and governance
• Public‑side aspects of the stadium
• Its role in the state‑owned convention and events campus

You would look to:

Georgia World Congress Center Authority
285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30313

Residents, journalists, or business owners sometimes reach out to GWCCA for questions about:

• Long‑term development in the stadium district
• How the stadium fits into Georgia’s convention and tourism strategy
• Public documents related to the authority’s activities

What Someone in Atlanta Should Take Away

If you’re in Atlanta and wondering “Who owns Mercedes‑Benz Stadium?” the straightforward explanation is:

• The State of Georgia’s Georgia World Congress Center Authority owns the stadium.
• Arthur Blank’s AMB Group operates it and uses it as home for the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United.

So when you walk into a game or concert, you are standing in a publicly owned facility that’s privately operated as one of Atlanta’s major sports and entertainment hubs.