Atlanta Falcons Home Football Schedule: How to Plan Your Game Days in Atlanta

If you’re trying to figure out the Atlanta Falcons home football schedule, your real question is usually bigger than just “who do they play and when?”

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting for a game, you also care about how to get to the stadium, when to arrive, where to park, and what game day feels like around the city. This guide walks through all of that, with a clear focus on how it works right here in Atlanta, Georgia.

Understanding the Atlanta Falcons Home Schedule

The Atlanta Falcons play their home games at:

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

Most home games are played from September through early January, with possible home playoff games in January if the team qualifies.

Key parts of the home schedule

A typical Falcons home schedule includes:

• 8 or 9 regular-season home games (depending on the year’s NFL rotation)
• 2–3 preseason home games in August
• Occasional prime-time night games (Thursday, Sunday night, or Monday night)
• Special dates like home openers, division matchups (Saints, Panthers, Buccaneers), and rivalry games

The most accurate, current details—opponent, date, and kickoff time—are always available through official NFL and team channels.

Typical Layout of a Falcons Home Season

While exact dates change every year, fans in Atlanta can expect a pattern to the home schedule.

Regular season home games

Falcons regular-season home games usually fall:

• Sundays, typically at 1:00 p.m. ET
• Occasional later kickoffs, like 4:05/4:25 p.m. ET
• Some prime-time slots:
  • Thursday Night Football
  • Sunday Night Football
  • Monday Night Football

Preseason home games in Atlanta

Preseason usually runs in August, and games can be:

• Weeknights or weekends
• Often in the evening (e.g., 7:00–8:00 p.m. local time)

These are lighter in intensity but great if you want a more relaxed in-stadium experience, cheaper tickets, or to get kids used to the stadium environment.

Sample Home Schedule Overview (Format & What to Look For)

Use this as a template for how to read and plan around the Falcons home schedule each year.

Each year, plug in the specific opponents and dates once the NFL releases the schedule, and use this structure to plan your transportation, pre-game plans, and post-game exit.

Where the Falcons Play: Getting to Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

All home games are played at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta, near the Georgia World Congress Center and State Farm Arena.

Public transit: MARTA

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

• Closest station:
  • GWCC/CNN Center Station (Blue/Green Line) – a short walk to the stadium
• Other nearby options:
  • Vine City Station (Blue/Green Line) – often less crowded, west side of stadium
  • Five Points Station (Red/Gold + Blue/Green hub) – transfer point if you’re coming from North–South lines

Tips for using MARTA on Falcons game day:

• Load your Breeze Card or ticket before the game to avoid post-game lines.
• Trains typically run more frequently on major event days.
• If you’re staying in Midtown, Buckhead, or near the Airport, riding MARTA avoids parking costs and downtown traffic.

MARTA Headquarters (for general info):
2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
Customer Service: often reachable via published phone lines and station assistance booths.

Driving and Parking for Falcons Home Games

If you prefer to drive to the game, you’ll need to factor in:

Traffic considerations in Atlanta

On Falcons home game days, expect:

• Heavy congestion on I‑20, I‑75/85, and the Downtown Connector
• Slow movement near exits that feed into downtown and the stadium area
• Extra delays on prime-time games and major rivalry matchups

Locals often try to arrive 2–3 hours before kickoff to avoid the worst traffic and enjoy pre-game activities.

Parking near Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

Parking is available in lots and decks around:

• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
• Georgia World Congress Center
• State Farm Arena
• Nearby private lots in downtown and Vine City areas

Helpful strategies:

• Reserve parking in advance when possible.
• Expect higher prices for rivalry games and prime-time matches.
• Consider parking a bit farther out in downtown or Midtown and using a short MARTA ride or rideshare to the stadium.

Planning Your Day Around a Falcons Home Game

The home schedule is only useful if you know how to build a game day around it. Here’s how Atlantan fans typically organize their day depending on kickoff time.

If it’s a 1:00 p.m. Sunday game

Many locals:

• Grab brunch in Midtown, Downtown, or the Westside
• Head toward the stadium by 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Use MARTA or arrive early to secure easier parking
• Explore The Home Depot Backyard (if open) or nearby tailgating areas

If it’s a late afternoon or night game

For 4:00 p.m. or prime-time kickoffs, expect:

• Heavier post-game traffic late into the evening
• More time for pre-game meals at Centennial Olympic Park area, Castleberry Hill, or around Georgia State
• A more “evening event” feel—popular for visitors staying in downtown hotels

How to Stay Updated on Schedule Changes

NFL schedules can shift because of:

• TV broadcast changes
• Flex scheduling later in the season
• Weather or other rare event-related adjustments

To stay accurate in Atlanta:

• Check the latest published Falcons schedule closer to game day
• Confirm kickoff time the week of the game, especially for late-season matchups
• Re-check MARTA or parking information in case of service changes or construction

For schedule questions, the Falcons organization typically directs fans to use their official customer service channels and online schedule pages.

Tickets and Seating for Falcons Home Games

When you look up the home schedule, you’re usually planning to buy tickets next.

What affects ticket pricing and availability in Atlanta

• Opponent: Division rivals and big-name teams draw higher demand.
• Day and time: Prime-time and weekend games often cost more than weekday preseason games.
• Seat location: Lower bowl, club, and suite levels are typically priced higher than upper levels.

Common patterns in Atlanta:

• Preseason: More affordable, better for families who want the experience without regular-season prices.
• Regular season: Prices jump for rivalry games (like the New Orleans Saints).
• Holiday or late-season games: Often more in demand if the Falcons are in playoff contention.

Home Game Experience Inside Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

The schedule gives you the “when,” but the in-stadium experience is part of why Atlantans plan ahead.

Doors and arrival time

• Stadium gates usually open about 2 hours before kickoff.
• Security screening can create lines, especially close to kickoff.
• Arriving early lets you explore:
  • The concourse and fan zones
  • Team store for Falcons gear
  • Concessions (known for fan-friendly pricing compared with many other NFL venues)

Bag policy and security

The stadium typically follows a clear bag policy, similar to most NFL venues. In practice, this means:

• Only small clear bags, clear plastic totes, or very small clutches are allowed.
• Backpacks and large bags are usually not permitted.

Always check the current stadium bag and security rules before heading out, as policies can be updated.

Neighborhoods and Areas Around the Stadium

If you’re planning around the home schedule and staying in or moving through the city, these areas matter:

• Downtown Atlanta:
  Closest to the stadium; many hotels, restaurants, and tourist spots (Centennial Olympic Park, CNN Center area). Ideal for walking to games.

• Castleberry Hill:
  Just south of the stadium, known for lofts, bars, and local spots. A popular area for pre- and post-game food and drinks.

• Midtown:
  A short MARTA ride away. Many fans stay or live here and ride down for games, especially from areas near Midtown Station or North Avenue Station.

• Westside/West Midtown:
  Growing restaurant and bar scene; some fans park or gather here, then rideshare or drive in early for games.

Tips for Locals vs. Visitors Attending Falcons Home Games

If you live in Atlanta

• Mark the home schedule early so you can avoid scheduling conflicts (weddings, trips, other events) on major game days.
• Plan alternate routes on game days even if you’re not attending; downtown traffic can spill out onto major corridors.
• Consider season parking or transit routines (same MARTA route, same lot, etc.) for consistency.

If you’re visiting Atlanta for a game

• Book your hotel near a MARTA station (Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead) to avoid rental car and parking headaches.
• Look at the home schedule first, then plan sightseeing (Atlanta BeltLine, museums, parks) around your game day.
• Build in cushion time—Atlanta traffic can be unpredictable, especially before and after NFL games.

Quick Game Day Planning Checklist (Atlanta-Focused)

Use this whenever you see a Falcons home date on the schedule:

• ✅ Confirm date, opponent, and kickoff time for the home game
• ✅ Decide how you’re getting there:
  • MARTA line and station, or
  • Driving route and pre-booked parking
• ✅ Check stadium policies (bag rules, prohibited items, entry times)
• ✅ Plan pre-game food or tailgating (downtown, Westside, Castleberry Hill, or Home Depot Backyard if available)
• ✅ Leave earlier than you think you need—especially for rivalry or prime-time games
• ✅ Have a post-game exit plan:
  • Exact MARTA station you’ll use
  • Rideshare pickup area
  • Best driving route to rejoin I‑20 or I‑75/85

Once you have the current Atlanta Falcons home football schedule in hand, this Atlanta-specific guidance helps you turn simple dates and times into smooth, enjoyable game days in the city.