Atlanta Falcons Schedule: How to Follow Every Game From Atlanta

For football fans in Atlanta, keeping up with the Atlanta Falcons schedule is a big part of planning fall and winter weekends. Whether you’re a season ticket holder, a casual fan, or visiting the city and hoping to catch a game, it helps to understand when the Falcons play, where they play, and how the schedule works from a local perspective.

Below is a practical guide to the Falcons schedule, focused on what matters most if you live in or are visiting Atlanta, Georgia.

How the Atlanta Falcons Schedule Is Structured

The Falcons play in the NFL’s regular season, which runs from early September through early January, with games usually once a week.

Key parts of the Falcons schedule

• Preseason (August)
  Exhibition games that don’t count toward standings but are often the first chance locals get to see the team each year. These can be:

  • Home at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  • Away at other NFL stadiums

• Regular season (September–January)
  Each team plays 17 games, typically:

  • 8 or 9 home games in Atlanta
  • The rest on the road
  • A mix of Sunday afternoon, Sunday night, Monday night, and occasional Thursday night games

• Bye week
  One week with no game, usually somewhere in the middle of the season. Many Atlanta fans use this as a break from tailgating, or to plan other local events.

• Postseason (if the Falcons qualify)
  Playoff games can extend the schedule into mid-to-late January, sometimes with home playoff games in Atlanta.

Because exact dates, opponents, and kickoff times change every season, always confirm the current year’s schedule using a reliable source before buying tickets or making specific plans.

Typical Falcons Game Days in Atlanta

Even though opponents and times change, there are some common patterns Atlanta residents can expect each season.

Common game days and kickoff times

Most regular-season games fall into these blocks:

Times may shift due to national TV coverage or flex scheduling, so it’s smart to re-check game times the week of the game.

Home Games at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

Most of what Atlanta fans care about on the schedule revolves around home games.

Stadium location and basics

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

Located just southwest of Downtown Atlanta, the stadium is near:

• Vine City and Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center MARTA stations
• The Georgia World Congress Center and State Farm Arena
• Major roadways like Northside Drive, Mitchell Street, and nearby I‑20 and I‑75/85 connectors

What to know for home game days

When checking the Falcons schedule, pay attention to:

• Home vs. away: Look specifically for “vs” or “home” indicators. Those are the dates that affect:

  • Downtown traffic
  • MARTA crowds
  • Tailgating and parking around the stadium

• Kickoff time:

  • 1:00 p.m. games: Expect heavy traffic mid-morning and after 4:00 p.m.
  • Night games: Heavier weekday rush-hour traffic plus late-night departures.

• Division rivals:
  Games against NFC South opponents (like New Orleans, Carolina, and Tampa Bay) often draw bigger crowds and can sell out faster.

Getting to Falcons Games from Around Atlanta

Once you know the Falcons schedule, the next question is usually how to get there.

Using MARTA

Many Atlanta residents and visitors use MARTA to reach Falcons games because it avoids downtown parking stress.

• Closest stations to Mercedes‑Benz Stadium:
  • Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center Station (Blue/Green Line)
  • Vine City Station (Blue/Green Line)

From either station, it’s a short walk to the stadium, with extra staff and signage on game days.

You can plan MARTA trips in advance by checking train schedules and last-train times for late-night games, especially for Monday and Thursday night kickoffs.

Driving and parking

If you drive to a Falcons home game, factor the schedule into your route:

• Arrive early for:

  • 1:00 p.m. games (expect mid-morning congestion)
  • Prime-time games (rush-hour plus game traffic)

• Parking options:
  There are multiple parking decks and lots around:

  • Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
  • CNN Center
  • State Farm Arena
    As game days fill up quickly, many locals try to reserve parking in advance when possible.

• Rideshare:
  Rideshare zones are typically set up just outside the stadium footprint. Wait times can be longer right after the game, especially for night games.

Watching Falcons Games in Atlanta Without Going to the Stadium

The Falcons schedule matters even if you’re not attending in person.

Local viewing options

• At home in Atlanta:
  Depending on your TV provider and location, many games appear on:

  • Local broadcast channels carrying NFC games
  • Prime-time national broadcasts for night games

• Sports bars and restaurants:
  Popular neighborhoods like Midtown, Downtown, Inman Park, Virginia-Highland, Buckhead, and parts of West Midtown often feature Falcons games on multiple screens. On schedule days with big matchups, these places tend to fill up early.

If you’re planning a group outing, it’s a good idea to check the schedule early and call ahead for large parties, especially for rivalry games or prime-time games.

Away Games: What Atlanta Fans Should Know

Away games still shape how fans in Atlanta plan their weekends.

Typical away-game considerations

• Earlier or later kickoffs:
  Games on the West Coast or in other time zones can:

  • Start later for Atlanta viewers
  • Run into late evening locally

• Travel from Atlanta:
  Some fans plan trips around marquee road games. If you’re traveling:

  • Confirm the game date, time, and city carefully
  • Build in extra time before and after kickoff for stadium entry and local transit in the host city

Since TV coverage and streaming can be different for away vs. home games, many Atlanta fans check which network is scheduled to carry a given game before inviting guests or planning watch parties.

How to Keep Up With Schedule Changes in Atlanta

NFL schedules can change slightly during the season, especially kickoff times for late-season games.

Why schedule details may shift

• Flex scheduling:
  Some Sunday games can be moved from early afternoon to a later national window.
• Weather or special circumstances:
  While rare, adjustments do happen.

Local tips to stay updated

• ✅ Re-check the week of the game: Look again at the Falcons schedule a few days before each game, especially late in the season.
• ✅ Confirm your plans: If you booked parking, restaurant reservations, or group transit, double-check the kickoff time so arrival still makes sense.
• ✅ Pay attention to local news and radio: Atlanta sports and news outlets typically highlight any major schedule shifts that affect home game timing.

Planning Your Atlanta Fall Around the Falcons Schedule

Many people in Atlanta build their fall calendars around Falcons football. Knowing the schedule early can help you:

• Plan hometown events
  If you’re organizing festivals, parties, or weddings in the metro area, checking for major home games and prime-time matchups can help avoid traffic and lodging crunches near Downtown.

• Coordinate with city traffic patterns
  On home game Sundays or prime-time nights, drivers may want to:

  • Avoid downtown streets right around kickoff and immediately after the game
  • Use MARTA or alternate routes if you must pass near the stadium

• Schedule family activities
  Families in neighborhoods like Decatur, Smyrna, East Point, College Park, and Brookhaven often plan weekend errands and outings around game start times to be home or downtown before kickoff.

Where the Schedule Fits in the Bigger Atlanta Sports Scene

Atlanta has a busy sports calendar, and the Falcons schedule overlaps with other local teams.

• Atlanta Braves (MLB):
  Late baseball season and playoffs can overlap with early Falcons games. People commuting between Truist Park and Downtown may notice added traffic on certain weekends.

• Atlanta United FC (MLS):
  Also plays at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, so the stadium schedule can feature back-to-back events. This sometimes affects:

  • Field configuration
  • Game-day staffing
  • Street and parking patterns around the stadium

Checking the Falcons schedule alongside other Atlanta sports events can help you anticipate crowded days in and around the city center.

Practical Checklist for Atlanta Fans Following the Falcons Schedule

Use this quick list whenever the new season’s schedule comes out:

1. Mark all Falcons home games on your calendar.
2. Highlight prime-time games that will affect late-night transit or parking.
3. Note the bye week as a free weekend for other plans in Atlanta.
4. Check for big division matchups that may draw larger crowds.
5. For each home game you plan to attend:
   • Decide if you’ll use MARTA or drive
   • Look up kickoff time and plan arrival 1–2 hours early
   • Consider reserving parking or making restaurant plans nearby
6. Re-check game times and TV details as each week approaches.

By understanding how the Atlanta Falcons schedule fits into the rhythm of life in Atlanta—traffic, transit, downtown events, and neighborhood plans—you can enjoy the season with fewer surprises and a lot more fun on game days.