Atlanta Braves AAA Team: Your Guide to the Gwinnett Stripers Near Atlanta

If you’re looking up “Atlanta Braves AAA team”, you’re really asking about the Gwinnett Stripers — the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, located just northeast of the city. For Atlanta residents and visitors, this team is the closest way to watch future (and sometimes current) Braves players in a smaller, more affordable ballpark setting.

This guide walks you through who the Stripers are, where they play, how to get there from Atlanta, what the fan experience is like, and how this team fits into the Braves’ overall player pipeline.

What Is the Atlanta Braves AAA Team?

The Atlanta Braves AAA team is the Gwinnett Stripers, part of Triple-A baseball, which is the highest level of Minor League Baseball just below Major League Baseball.

Triple-A teams serve a few key roles:

• Player development: Young prospects get ready for the Braves.
• Rehab assignments: Injured Braves players often play a few games here.
• Depth for the big club: Players are called up to Atlanta when needed.

For someone in Atlanta, the Gwinnett Stripers are essentially the last stop before Truist Park for many players.

Where the Gwinnett Stripers Play (Location & Basics)

Home ballpark:
Coolray Field
2500 Buford Dr
Lawrenceville, GA 30043

Coolray Field is in Gwinnett County, about 25–35 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta, depending on your starting point and traffic.

Key basics:

• Affiliation: Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves
• League: International League (Triple-A level)
• Season: Typically runs from spring through early fall (similar to MLB, but with variations in schedule)

For anyone in metro Atlanta, this is the closest AAA baseball experience and a very direct connection to the Braves organization.

Getting from Atlanta to the Braves’ AAA Team

Driving from Atlanta

Most people travel from Atlanta to Coolray Field by car.

Common driving routes:

• From downtown Atlanta / Midtown:
  • Take I-85 North toward Greenville.
  • Use the GA-20/Buford Drive exit (often Exit 115).
  • Follow signs toward Coolray Field / Lawrenceville.
• From Buckhead / North Atlanta:
  • Get on GA-400 or local routes to connect to I-85 North, then follow the same exit toward Buford Drive.

🅿 Parking:
Coolray Field typically offers on-site parking in surface lots around the stadium. It’s usually more straightforward and less expensive than Truist Park, which is a big plus for families and casual fans.

Public Transit Considerations

Public transit options from Atlanta to Coolray Field are limited:

• MARTA does not directly serve Coolray Field.
• Some people combine MARTA with rideshare:
  • Take MARTA rail to a northern station (such as Doraville).
  • Use a rideshare or taxi from there to Lawrenceville.

If you don’t want to drive, carpooling or rideshare from Atlanta to the ballpark is often the simplest option.

How the Braves AAA Team Fits into Atlanta’s Baseball Landscape

For Atlanta area fans, the Gwinnett Stripers are valuable for a few reasons:

• See top prospects early: You can watch players before they debut at Truist Park.
• Close to the big leagues: Many Stripers players move up and down between Gwinnett and Atlanta during the season.
• Rehab appearances: Established Braves stars sometimes play a few games in Gwinnett when returning from injury.

If you follow the Braves closely, keeping an eye on the Stripers’ roster can give you an early look at who might be called up next.

Braves Farm System: Where AAA Fits

To understand the Atlanta Braves’ AAA team, it helps to see where Triple-A fits in the minor league ladder.

Simplified Braves Minor League Structure (Atlanta-Focused)

For Atlanta residents, the only local minor league team directly in the metro area is the Gwinnett Stripers. Other affiliates are based outside the Atlanta region, making Gwinnett the most convenient option to see Braves prospects in person.

What It’s Like to Attend a Gwinnett Stripers Game

If you’re weighing a trip to Coolray Field versus driving to Truist Park, it helps to know what the experience is like.

Atmosphere and Crowd

• More relaxed than an MLB game, often with a family-friendly vibe.
• Smaller crowd sizes compared to Truist Park, which means:
  • Shorter lines for food and restrooms.
  • Easier to move around the ballpark.
  • A better chance for kids to get near the rail for autographs before games.

Tickets and Seating

While exact prices can change over time, the general pattern is:

• Tickets usually cost less than Atlanta Braves regular-season games.
• Seating options typically include:
  • Lower-level bowl seats
  • Grass berms or general admission areas (great for kids to run around)
  • Some club or premium seating areas

For many Atlanta families, the Stripers are a budget-friendlier way to enjoy live professional baseball.

Promotions and Theme Nights

Minor league teams commonly host:

• Theme nights (holiday events, specialty jerseys, etc.)
• Fireworks shows on selected nights
• Family-focused promotions, like kids-run-the-bases days
• Occasional community and school nights with local groups

If you’re scheduling a visit from Atlanta, checking for promotional nights can make the trip more memorable.

Food, Drinks, and In-Stadium Experience

While offerings change over time, the general experience at Coolray Field often includes:

• Traditional ballpark food: hot dogs, burgers, nachos, popcorn.
• Local or regional flavors: many minor league parks incorporate Southern-style items or specialty snacks.
• Beverages: non-alcoholic options and, typically, beer and other adult beverages for those of legal age.

Lines are generally shorter than at Truist Park, so it’s easier to grab something between innings without missing much action.

Why Atlanta Fans Should Care About the Gwinnett Stripers

Living in Atlanta, having the Braves’ AAA team so close brings several advantages:

• Affordable baseball close to home: Especially convenient for those in northeast metro Atlanta (Brookhaven, Doraville, Duluth, Suwanee, Lawrenceville).
• Player recognition: You’ll often see names in Gwinnett who later become key contributors at Truist Park.
• Great for kids: The environment is often more relaxed, making it easier to bring young children or large family groups.
• Development insight: Fans who like following prospects and roster moves can see the transition from Gwinnett to Atlanta up close.

For baseball fans in Atlanta, the Stripers are a way to feel more connected to the Braves’ long-term future, not just the current starting lineup.

Tips for Planning a Trip from Atlanta to See the Braves AAA Team

A few practical pointers if you’re heading from Atlanta to Coolray Field:

• Plan for traffic:
  • Evening games on weekdays can overlap with rush hour on I-85.
  • Leaving Atlanta a bit early can make a big difference.
• Check the game schedule in advance:
  • Look for weekend games if you want to avoid weekday traffic.
• Consider where you’re starting from:
  • From Intown Atlanta (Midtown, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward), expect at least 30–45 minutes in light traffic.
  • From Brookhaven, Chamblee, or Doraville, the drive is typically shorter.
• Build in extra time for parking and walking in:
  • Arriving early can give you time to explore the ballpark, get food, and watch batting practice or warmups.

Basic Contact and Practical Info

While specific phone numbers and office hours may change over time, here is the general, stable information most Atlanta visitors need:

Team: Gwinnett Stripers (AAA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves)
Ballpark: Coolray Field
Address: 2500 Buford Dr, Lawrenceville, GA 30043

If you are planning a group outing, youth sports event, or large family trip from Atlanta, many fans start by:

• Looking up game schedules,
• Checking ticket options (including group packages), and
• Reviewing ballpark policies (bags, outside food, etc.) through official team channels or box office information.

For anyone in Atlanta, Georgia, the Gwinnett Stripers are the Atlanta Braves AAA team you’re looking for—close enough for a casual evening drive, affordable enough for families, and important enough to matter if you follow the Braves’ present and future closely.