Atlanta Falcons NFL Football Team: A Local’s Guide to Atlanta’s Home Team 🏈

The Atlanta Falcons are more than just an NFL franchise — they’re a major part of Atlanta’s identity, weekends, and city culture. Whether you live in the metro area, you’re visiting for a game, or you’re just trying to understand how Falcons football fits into life in Atlanta, Georgia, this guide walks you through what you need to know.

Falcons Basics: How the Team Fits Into Atlanta

The Atlanta Falcons NFL football team plays in the National Football League (NFL) and calls downtown Atlanta home. Their season runs from September through early January, with potential playoff games afterward.

Key local points:

• Home stadium: Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, 1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Conference: NFC (National Football Conference)
• Division: NFC South
• Typical game days: Mainly Sundays, with some Monday/Thursday night games

For Atlanta residents, Falcons season affects:

• Traffic and parking downtown
• MARTA crowd levels
• Activity around sports bars and neighborhoods like Downtown, Castleberry Hill, and the Gulch area

If you plan to be anywhere near downtown on a home game day, it helps to know the schedule and game times.

Where the Falcons Play: Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in Atlanta

Location & Getting There

Mercedes‑Benz Stadium is located just west of downtown Atlanta:

• Address: 1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Near landmarks like State Farm Arena, Centennial Olympic Park, and the CNN Center area

Transit options from around Atlanta:

• MARTA Rail:
  • Take the Blue/Green Line to Vine City Station (short walk to the stadium), or
  • Take the Red/Gold Line and transfer downtown as needed
• Rideshare: There are designated pickup and drop-off zones near the stadium; expect higher prices right after games.
• Driving: Major access routes include I‑20, I‑75/I‑85, and Northside Dr NW.

If you live in or are staying in Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead, MARTA is often the simplest way to get to a Falcons game and avoid event parking prices.

Buying Tickets for Falcons Games in Atlanta

You can buy Atlanta Falcons tickets directly through official NFL and team channels or through well-known ticket marketplaces. Prices vary based on opponent, seat location, and game importance.

Typical Ticket Options

• Single-game tickets: For casual fans, visitors, or special occasions.
• Season tickets: For locals who want every home game and priority seating.
• Club and suite seating: Premium options with upgraded amenities (more common for corporate or group outings).

What Locals Commonly Consider

• Opponent: Divisional games (against New Orleans, Carolina, Tampa Bay) and high-profile teams often cost more.
• View vs. budget:
  • Lower level or club for close-up action
  • Upper level for more affordable entry into the stadium experience
• Parking costs: If you drive, factor in lot or garage pricing near the stadium or in downtown.

If you live in the metro area (Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Clayton, etc.), many fans compare driving plus parking versus MARTA fare when deciding what “real” ticket cost looks like.

Game Day Experience in Atlanta

What to Expect at a Falcons Home Game

On a typical Sunday home game day in Atlanta:

• Streets around the stadium get busy a few hours before kickoff.
• Tailgating and pregame activities pop up in nearby lots and fan zones.
• Downtown bars and restaurants fill up with fans wearing red and black.

Inside Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, you’ll find:

• Assigned seating throughout multiple levels
• Concession stands with a range of food options
• Large video boards and in-game entertainment
• A comfortable, modern indoor environment with a retractable roof (usually closed in very hot, rainy, or cold conditions)

Family-Focused Tips 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

If you’re bringing children or visitors:

• Allow extra time for security checks and walking through the concourses.
• Identify restrooms and family areas once you enter.
• For very young children, consider noise protection (the stadium can get very loud).

Parking, Traffic, and Getting Around on Game Days

Parking Near Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

There are multiple paid parking options:

• Official event lots and decks around the stadium
• Private lots and garages in Downtown and Castleberry Hill

Costs vary by opponent and event. To keep stress down:

• Arrive early to avoid last-minute traffic.
• If you live intown (Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Westside, Castleberry Hill), walking or a short rideshare may be simplest.
• If you’re visiting from the suburbs (Marietta, Sandy Springs, Decatur), MARTA park-and-ride locations can be cheaper and faster than circling for parking downtown.

How Falcons Games Affect Local Traffic

On home game days, expect:

• Heavy traffic on Northside Dr NW, Mitchell St SW, MLK Jr. Dr SW, and the Connector (I‑75/85).
• Slower movement near Centennial Olympic Park, Georgia World Congress Center, and State Farm Arena.

If you’re not going to the game but plan to be downtown, it can help to:

• Check the kickoff time and avoid arrival/departure windows.
• Use MARTA or surface streets that bypass the stadium area where possible.

Atlanta Falcons Schedule and When to Plan Around It

Falcons fans — and local businesses — plan around the NFL schedule every year.

Typical Falcons Season Timeline

If you work or live downtown, knowing home game dates helps you plan commutes, restaurant visits, and events around the extra foot traffic.

Falcons Culture in Atlanta: Where Fans Gather

Popular Areas for Watching Falcons Games

Even if you don’t go to Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, Falcons Sundays are a big deal across the city. Fans gather in:

• Downtown and Centennial Olympic Park area: Close to the stadium, busy during home games.
• Midtown and Old Fourth Ward: Many sports bars show Falcons games with sound on.
• Buckhead and Westside: Popular for residents looking for a more neighborhood-style watch experience.

Common local patterns:

• Fans often ride MARTA or use rideshare from these neighborhoods to the stadium.
• Some residents host home watch parties to avoid game-day traffic and crowds.

Training Camp and Practice: Connecting With the Team

The Falcons hold training camp and practice activities that sometimes include open sessions for fans. While locations and access details can change over time, some key points:

• These events are often held at team facilities within the metro area.
• Open practices may include autograph opportunities, family activities, and closer interaction with players and coaches.

If you live in Atlanta and want a more relaxed, up-close experience than a regular-season game, training camp visits can be a good option, especially for families and younger fans.

Falcons and the Broader Atlanta Sports Scene

The Falcons share the spotlight in downtown Atlanta with:

• Atlanta United FC (MLS) — also at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
• Atlanta Hawks (NBA) — at nearby State Farm Arena
• Georgia Tech football — at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Midtown

For residents and visitors, this concentration creates a true sports district. On some weekends, you may see:

• Overlapping events that increase crowds and traffic
• A mix of fans in different team colors around downtown and the MARTA system

If you’re booking a hotel, restaurant, or event near Centennial Olympic Park or the GWCC campus, it’s smart to check the Falcons schedule, as well as other local teams’ calendars.

Practical Tips for Visitors Attending a Falcons Game

If you’re traveling to Atlanta specifically to see the Atlanta Falcons NFL football team, a bit of planning makes the experience smoother.

Hotel location considerations:

• Downtown: Walkable to the stadium; best for those who want to be closest to the action.
• Midtown: Easy MARTA ride to the game, with lots of dining and nightlife.
• Buckhead: Further away, but good for those who prioritize shopping and restaurants, then take MARTA or rideshare to the game.

Game day checklist:

• Verify kickoff time and plan to arrive at least an hour early.
• Check stadium bag policies and prohibited items before you go.
• Plan your post-game exit — which MARTA line, lot, or rideshare zone you’ll use.

If you’re unfamiliar with Atlanta traffic, using MARTA from the airport or a central hotel can reduce stress considerably.

How the Falcons Impact Everyday Life in Atlanta

For many in the city and surrounding counties, the Falcons are:

• A weekend routine during the fall
• A common topic of conversation at work and school
• A unifying point for a very diverse metro area

At the same time, non-fans mainly feel the impact through:

• Traffic patterns on game days
• Crowded restaurants and bars on Sundays
• Higher activity downtown and on MARTA during home games

If you’re new to Atlanta, knowing when the Falcons play at home can help you decide when to join in the excitement — or when to plan errands and travel in quieter parts of town.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

• The Atlanta Falcons NFL football team plays home games at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta, heavily influencing traffic and activity on game days.
• MARTA is often the most convenient way to get to and from games, especially from Midtown, Downtown, and nearby neighborhoods.
• Tickets range from affordable upper-level seats to premium club and suite experiences, with divisional and marquee games usually drawing higher prices and bigger crowds.
• Falcons season shapes weekend life in Atlanta, from neighborhood watch parties to packed downtown streets, making it helpful to know the schedule whether you’re a fan or just moving through the city.

With this understanding, you can decide how you want the Atlanta Falcons to fit into your own Atlanta experience — as a game day destination, a background part of city life, or a central piece of your fall and winter weekends.