Atlanta Braves Calendar: How to Plan Your Season Around Braves Baseball in Atlanta
If you’re looking for the Atlanta Braves calendar, you’re probably trying to figure out when the Braves play, where they play, and how to plan your time in Atlanta around the season. Whether you live in the metro area or you’re visiting specifically for a game, understanding the Braves schedule helps you make the most of Atlanta’s baseball scene.
Below is a practical guide to the Braves calendar from an Atlanta-focused point of view: how the season is structured, what different games mean, how to use the schedule to plan tickets, traffic, and transit, and what to expect at Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta.
Key Things to Know About the Atlanta Braves Calendar
Quick overview for fans in Atlanta:
| Topic | What It Means for You in Atlanta |
|---|---|
| Regular Season | Runs from late March/early April through late September or early October. Most home games at Truist Park in Cobb County. |
| Spring Training | February–March in Florida, but schedule helps you know when the team returns home and when regular season starts. |
| Postseason (if they qualify) | October baseball; schedules are released round by round, often with short notice. |
| Home vs. Away Games | Home games impact traffic around Truist Park / The Battery Atlanta; away games are watch-party opportunities around the city. |
| Special Events & Promotions | Theme nights, giveaway games, fireworks nights, and alumni events that many local fans specifically target on the calendar. |
| Game Times | Commonly evening on weekdays, mixed times on weekends. Start times affect MARTA use, rideshare demand, and parking needs. |
How the Braves Season Calendar Typically Works
Spring Training (February–March)
While spring training games are not played in Atlanta, the spring schedule still matters for locals because it tells you:
- When players report and the new season is ramping up
- Roughly when the team will return to Atlanta for exhibition or Opening Day
- When to expect MLB regular-season games to begin (usually late March or early April)
Many Atlanta fans follow spring training from home, planning trips or just tracking the roster battles before the games count.
Regular Season (April–September/early October)
The Atlanta Braves regular-season calendar is built around a 162-game MLB schedule:
- About half the games are at home at Truist Park (755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta/Cobb line)
- The rest are on the road in other MLB cities
- You’ll see a mix of:
- 3- or 4-game series against visiting teams
- Homestands (multiple series back-to-back at Truist Park)
- Road trips (blocks of away games where no home games are played)
For Atlanta residents, the biggest impacts of the calendar are:
- Traffic: Evening home games increase congestion around I‑75/I‑285 near Truist Park.
- Transit and rideshare: Higher demand around Cumberland Parkway, Cobb Parkway, and The Battery Atlanta before and after games.
- Neighborhood activity: Restaurants and bars at The Battery are much busier on game days.
Postseason (October, if the Braves qualify)
If the Braves reach the playoffs, the postseason calendar is announced step-by-step:
- Series schedules are posted after matchups are set.
- Game times can shift depending on TV networks and other series.
- Some games are “if necessary,” so not all dates on the bracket end up being used.
For fans in Atlanta, that means:
- You may have to buy tickets or plan transportation on short notice.
- Weeknight postseason games can run late, making next-day work or school planning important if you’re attending in person.
Understanding Home vs. Away Games on the Braves Calendar
Home Games at Truist Park
On the calendar, home games are the ones that really shape your Atlanta plans.
Common things Atlanta fans look for:
- Day of the week:
- Weeknight games often start around the dinner hour.
- Saturday games may be day or night.
- Sunday games are frequently afternoon starts, good for families.
- Opponent: Big-name visiting teams often sell out faster and create heavier traffic.
- Promotions: Fireworks, bobblehead nights, or special themes are marked on many calendars and can influence which dates locals choose.
Away Games (Road Games)
Even though the team is out of town, away games still matter to Atlanta fans:
- Many bars and restaurants in Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, and The Battery Atlanta host watch parties.
- If you live near Truist Park, traffic will be lighter on non-game days, making the area easier for dining or shopping.
Using the Braves Calendar to Plan Your Game Day in Atlanta
1. Picking the Right Game Date
When scanning the Braves schedule:
- Look for weekend home series if you’re visiting Atlanta and want a full weekend around The Battery.
- Choose earlier start times (often Sundays or some Saturdays) if you’re bringing kids or prefer to avoid late-night driving.
- Factor in Atlanta weather by month:
- April & May: Milder evenings, but still bring a light jacket.
- June–August: Hot and humid; night games usually more comfortable.
- September: Can still be warm, but less intense than mid-summer.
2. Planning for Traffic and Parking
On any home game date you see on the calendar, expect:
- Slowdowns on I‑75 and I‑285 near the Cobb Cloverleaf before and after games
- Busier conditions around Cumberland Mall and The Battery Atlanta
Common approaches among local fans:
- 🅿️ Pre-book parking in official Truist Park lots when possible.
- 🕒 Aim to arrive at least 60–90 minutes before first pitch to avoid the tightest traffic.
- 🚗 Consider using rideshare with pickup/dropoff points near The Battery to skip parking entirely.
3. Considering Transit from Inside Atlanta
While Truist Park is not directly on a MARTA rail line, the Braves calendar still shapes how locals use transit:
- Some fans take MARTA rail to a central station (like Arts Center or Midtown) and then use rideshare or a CobbLinc bus to the stadium area.
- If you commute through Cobb County, you may adjust your afternoon timing on heavy game days to avoid peak traffic.
Special Dates on the Atlanta Braves Calendar
Most seasons, the calendar highlights several categories of special Atlanta-focused events:
Opening Day in Atlanta
- Typically one of the most anticipated home games of the year.
- Draws large crowds to The Battery Atlanta even from people who don’t have tickets.
- Calendar will show if Opening Day is part of a larger opening homestand.
Holiday Games
The Braves schedule often includes games on:
- Memorial Day weekend
- Fourth of July or early July games with fireworks
- Labor Day weekend
These are popular among locals planning long weekends in Atlanta, and they often mean:
- Bigger crowds and higher ticket demand
- Longer postgame hangouts at The Battery restaurants and bars
Theme Nights, Giveaways, and Fireworks
The full Braves calendar usually marks:
- Bobblehead or merchandise giveaway nights (first set number of fans)
- Kids’ days, where families get added activities
- Special awareness or heritage nights that can include pregame ceremonies and in-game features
- Postgame fireworks shows, which affect when you’ll actually leave the area
Atlanta families often pick game dates specifically based on these calendar entries.
How Atlanta Residents Use the Calendar Beyond Game Attendance
Planning Around Neighborhood Crowds
Even if you’re not going to the game:
- Residents in Vinings, Smyrna, and Cumberland may check the Braves home calendar to know which nights to expect extra traffic and foot traffic.
- Some locals avoid shopping at Cumberland Mall on game nights and shift errands to non-game days.
Scheduling Events and Gatherings
Many Atlantans:
- Plan company outings, birthday parties, or family reunions around favorable dates on the Braves calendar.
- Use the calendar to match out-of-town visitors’ trips with home stands so they can experience a game.
Where Truist Park Fits into the Atlanta Area
Even though Truist Park is technically in Cobb County, it functions as a major Atlanta sports destination.
Stadium & entertainment area:
- Truist Park – Home of the Atlanta Braves
- The Battery Atlanta – Mixed-use complex with restaurants, shops, apartments, and entertainment venues adjoining the ballpark
For planning off the calendar:
- Check which weeknights and weekends have home games if you simply want to enjoy The Battery’s atmosphere.
- Use non-game days shown on the schedule for quieter dining or strolling around the area.
Tips for Using the Braves Calendar If You’re Visiting Atlanta
If you’re coming from out of town:
Start with a home stand.
Look for a stretch of consecutive home games to give you flexibility if weather or plans change.Match your hotel to your calendar.
Many visitors stay:- Near Cumberland/The Battery for walking distance to games, or
- In Downtown or Midtown Atlanta and rideshare to Truist Park while enjoying central-city attractions during the day.
Check game times before locking in other tours.
Combine an afternoon at the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, or the BeltLine with an evening Braves game, based on the start times listed on the calendar.Account for weather windows.
Day games in mid-summer can be hot; if you have choices on the schedule, many visitors favor evening starts.
How to Read and Use the Braves Calendar Efficiently
When you pull up an Atlanta Braves calendar (online, in an app, printed, or in a planner), scan it with these steps:
Circle home games vs. away games.
Focus first on dates labeled as home at Truist Park.Note weekday vs. weekend and start times.
This helps you decide:- After-work games
- Family-friendly times
- Late-night commitments
Highlight special symbols or notes.
These often indicate:- Promotions or giveaways
- Fireworks nights
- Theme or heritage events
Layer in your personal schedule.
Add:- Work shifts
- School schedules
- Existing family plans
so you can see which games realistically fit your life in Atlanta.
Plan transportation based on time and day.
For each home date you choose:- Estimate when you need to leave home (accounting for Atlanta rush hour).
- Decide between parking, rideshare, or a combo of MARTA + rideshare/bus.
By understanding how the Atlanta Braves calendar lines up with Atlanta traffic, neighborhoods, and daily life, you can choose the best games to attend, avoid unexpected congestion when you’re not going, and make Braves baseball a smooth, enjoyable part of your time in the city.