Atlanta Falcons Football Schedule: How to Follow Every Game in Atlanta

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and want to stay on top of the Atlanta Falcons football schedule, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re planning a trip to Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, organizing watch parties in the city, or visiting from out of town, it helps to understand when the Falcons play, where, and how to plan around game day in Atlanta.

How the Atlanta Falcons Schedule Works Each Season

The NFL regular season schedule follows a consistent structure, even though specific dates and opponents change year to year.

Key basics of the Falcons schedule:

• Regular season length: 17 games
• Home games: Usually 8 or 9 per year at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
• Preseason games: Typically 3, with 1–2 at home
• Playoffs: If the Falcons qualify, additional games in January (some may be at home)
• Typical season window:
  • Preseason: August
  • Regular season: Early September through early January
  • Playoffs: January (and early February for the Super Bowl)

The Falcons play:

• Division opponents (New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) twice each
• Teams from rotating NFL divisions (one AFC division and one NFC division)
• Additional conference games based on the previous year’s standings

From an Atlanta resident’s perspective, the important part is which Sundays (and occasional Mondays/Thursdays) will turn downtown into game-day mode.

Home vs. Away: What It Means for Fans in Atlanta

Home Games in Atlanta

Home games are played at:

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

On home game days, expect:

• Heavier traffic around downtown and the Vine City, Castleberry Hill, and Centennial Olympic Park areas
• Crowded MARTA trains and stations near the stadium, especially Vine City and GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center
• A busier atmosphere in nearby neighborhoods and bars

If you live or work in downtown or Midtown, it’s helpful to check the schedule early in the season so you can anticipate high-traffic dates.

Away Games

When the Falcons play away, Atlanta still feels the impact:

• Sports bars and restaurants across Midtown, Buckhead, West Midtown, and Inman Park often host watch parties.
• Sunday traffic is usually lighter near the stadium, but busier near popular viewing spots.

Even if you’re not going to the stadium, knowing the Falcons’ weekly opponent and kickoff time helps you plan where to watch and when to be on the road.

Prime-Time Falcons Games: Nights to Note in Atlanta

The NFL sometimes schedules the Falcons for prime-time games:

• Monday Night Football
• Thursday Night Football
• Sunday Night Football

These games, when played in Atlanta, can stretch the downtown activity later into the night, with:

• Evening rush-hour + game traffic overlap
• More people on MARTA and in rideshares later than usual
• Packed bars and restaurants downtown and in Midtown

If you commute through the central city or work late near the stadium, it’s worth checking if the Falcons are hosting a night game on any given week.

Typical Falcons Game Times and What They Mean for Your Day

While specific times vary, there are common patterns:

• Sunday early afternoon: Around 1:00 p.m. Eastern
• Sunday late afternoon: Around 4:00–4:25 p.m. Eastern
• Evening/prime-time: Usually 8:15–8:20 p.m. Eastern for Monday/Thursday/Sunday night

For Atlanta locals:

• Early afternoon games:
  • Expect pre-game crowds mid‑morning
  • Post-game traffic in the late afternoon
• Late afternoon games:
  • Calmer mornings; busier evenings as fans leave downtown
• Night games:
  • Heavy inflow during the evening commute
  • Outbound traffic late at night

If you’re scheduling dinner reservations, airport trips, or events downtown, it’s smart to cross‑check with that week’s Falcons kickoff time.

Simple Falcons Schedule Planning Guide for Atlanta

Here’s a generalized view of how a Falcons season plays out for Atlantans. Exact dates and opponents change yearly, but the rhythm is similar.

Use this as a traffic and crowd calendar if you live, work, or visit near downtown Atlanta.

Getting to Falcons Home Games in Atlanta

MARTA to Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

For many fans, MARTA is the easiest way to handle game-day crowds.

Closest stations to the stadium:

• GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station (Blue/Green lines)
• Vine City Station (Blue/Green lines)

Both are a short walk from Mercedes‑Benz Stadium. On game days, expect:

• More frequent trains around kickoff and final whistle
• Longer lines at fare machines—loading your Breeze Card in advance is helpful
• Crowds especially before and after the game

MARTA Customer Service (general info):
Phone: 404‑848‑5000

Driving and Parking

If you prefer to drive:

• Game days can bring significant congestion on I‑20, I‑75/85, and Northside Drive.
• Parking near the stadium is often pre-sold or quickly filled.
• Many fans opt to park farther away (Midtown, West Midtown, or near certain MARTA stations) and take MARTA in.

If you live in nearby neighborhoods, you may see spillover parking on residential streets, so it’s wise to check neighborhood rules or permit requirements.

Where to Watch the Falcons in Atlanta If You Don’t Have Tickets

You don’t need to be inside the stadium to enjoy the Falcons football schedule.

Popular local options include:

• Sports bars in Buckhead and Midtown – Many feature multiple TVs, sound on for the Falcons, and game-day food/drink specials.
• Neighborhood spots in Grant Park, East Atlanta, and Old Fourth Ward – Often more relaxed but still very Falcons-focused on Sundays.
• Hotel bars downtown – Convenient for visitors staying near the stadium who still want the game atmosphere without entering the venue.

Things to consider:

• Prime-time games and big rivalry matchups (like Falcons vs. Saints) attract bigger crowds; arrive early.
• For families, earlier Sunday games may be more comfortable than late-night prime-time kickoffs.

Understanding Ticket Timing Around the Falcons Schedule

Once the NFL releases the full Falcons schedule before the season, fans in Atlanta usually focus on:

• Which home games fall on weekends vs. weekdays
• Key rivalry or marquee matchups they don’t want to miss
• Holiday‑adjacent games (e.g., around Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s)

From a planning standpoint:

• Weekday night games may mean leaving work earlier or dealing with heavier rush-hour traffic.
• Late-season games can be especially popular if the Falcons are in the playoff hunt.
• Preseason games are usually less crowded, making them a lower‑stress option to experience the stadium.

How the Falcons Schedule Affects Life in Atlanta

Even if you’re not a football fan, the Falcons schedule shapes the city rhythm:

• Traffic and commuting:
  • If you drive through downtown or use the Connector (I‑75/85), checking home game days can save you time.
• Events and conventions:
  • The area around the Georgia World Congress Center, State Farm Arena, and Mercedes‑Benz Stadium can be extremely busy when events overlap with Falcons games.
• Short‑term rentals and hotels:
  • Rates around downtown and Midtown can be higher on big home-game weekends.
• Noise and crowds:
  • Nearby neighborhoods may notice more pedestrian and vehicle traffic before and after games.

For residents, it’s smart to keep a simple list of home game dates handy, especially if you plan home gatherings, errands, or hosting visitors.

Tips for Visitors Timing a Trip Around the Falcons Schedule

If you’re visiting Atlanta and want to catch a Falcons game:

• Look for home games that align with your travel dates.
• Book lodging early for big matchups—places near downtown, Midtown, and the BeltLine can fill fast.
• Plan some nearby attractions for non‑game days, such as:
  • Georgia Aquarium
  • World of Coca‑Cola
  • Centennial Olympic Park
  • College Football Hall of Fame (especially relevant for football fans)

On game day:

• Arrive downtown at least 1–2 hours before kickoff if you’re unfamiliar with the area.
• Consider MARTA from your hotel or park‑and‑ride lots to avoid navigating game-day congestion.

How to Stay Updated on the Latest Falcons Schedule Details

Because dates, times, and even some later-season game times can shift, especially for TV scheduling reasons, it’s helpful for Atlanta fans to:

• Check the full season schedule once it’s released before the season.
• Re‑check kickoff times periodically, especially for games later in the year.
• Note flex scheduling, where certain late-season games can be moved into or out of prime-time slots.

For day‑to‑day life in Atlanta, the most actionable step is simple:

➡ Keep a quick reference of all Falcons home game dates and kickoff times so you can plan traffic, transit, and social plans around them.

Once you know which Sundays (and occasional Mondays/Thursdays) the Falcons are playing in Atlanta, you’ll be able to enjoy the season—whether you’re in the stadium, at a local bar, or just planning your commute—with far less hassle.