From Expansion Team to Atlanta Icon: The History of the Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are woven into the fabric of the city as tightly as Peachtree Street and MARTA trains on game day. Whether you live in Atlanta, are visiting for a weekend, or just want to understand how this franchise became such a huge part of local culture, knowing the history of the Atlanta Falcons helps explain why the city turns red and black every fall.

Below is a clear, era-by-era look at how the Falcons grew from an expansion team in the 1960s into one of Atlanta’s most recognizable institutions.

How the Atlanta Falcons Came to Be

The NFL Comes to Atlanta (1965–1966)

Atlanta in the 1960s was positioning itself as a modern Southern city. Civic leaders wanted major-league sports to show that Atlanta could compete with older, bigger cities.

• In 1965, the NFL awarded Atlanta an expansion franchise.
• Team owner Rankin Smith Sr. paid a then-record fee to secure the rights.
• A naming contest drew thousands of submissions; “Falcons” was selected, symbolizing speed, power, and pride.

The Falcons started play in the 1966 season, giving Atlanta its first NFL team and helping solidify the city’s rise as a regional sports hub.

Early Home: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium

The team’s first home field was Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, located just south of downtown. The stadium was also home to the Braves, so game days in that part of town became major events.

For longtime Atlantans, this era is remembered for:

• Open-air games in all kinds of weather
• Parking lots full of tailgates and radio broadcasts
• A growing sense that Atlanta was on the national sports map

The Struggle Years and Defensive Identity (Late 1960s–1970s)

The Falcons’ early seasons were tough. Winning seasons were rare, but the team slowly built an identity and a fanbase across metro Atlanta.

Building a Defense-First Reputation

In the 1970s, the team became known for tough, physical defense:

• The “Grits Blitz” defense of 1977 is still a point of pride among older fans.
• Home games featured hard hits and low-scoring battles that matched the blue-collar image of many Atlanta neighborhoods at the time.

Though playoff success was limited, the Falcons laid the groundwork for a loyal local following from places like Decatur, College Park, and Marietta, where fans passed their fandom down through generations.

The First Taste of Success (Late 1970s–1980s)

First Playoff Berth

The Falcons made their first playoff appearance in 1978. For Atlantans, this was a watershed moment:

• Local bars and restaurants from Buckhead to Virginia-Highland tuned in.
• The Falcons became more than just another team—they became part of the city’s identity.

Ups and Downs in the 1980s

The 1980s were marked by inconsistency:

• A few promising seasons mixed with disappointing years
• A rotating cast of coaches and quarterbacks

Still, game day in Atlanta kept evolving:

• More families drove in from the suburbs along I-75, I-85, and I-20.
• Tailgating became a bigger tradition, especially as the city grew and the metro area spread outward.

Prime Time Falcons and the Georgia Dome Era (1990s)

The 1990s were a turning point, both for the franchise and for how Atlanta experienced pro football.

Moving Indoors: The Georgia Dome

In 1992, the Falcons moved from Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium to the Georgia Dome, located directly downtown near what is now the Mercedes-Benz Stadium site.

The Georgia Dome brought:

• Indoor comfort: No more worrying about rain-soaked seats or blazing heat.
• Modern amenities: Bigger crowds, better concessions, and a bigger-stage feel.
• Easier access from around the metro area via nearby MARTA stations.

For many current Atlantans, childhood memories of the Falcons start with walking into the Dome under the big white roof.

The Deion Sanders & “Prime Time” Energy

In the early ’90s, the Falcons gained national attention:

• Deion Sanders brought flash, swagger, and highlight-reel plays.
• Uniforms changed to a sleeker black design.
• The team leaned into a bold, Atlanta-flavored personality that matched the city’s emerging hip-hop and entertainment scenes.

This was when the Falcons started to feel uniquely “Atlanta” rather than just another NFL team.

The 1998 Super Bowl Run

For many Atlantans, the 1998 season is still one of the most memorable in Falcons history.

The “Dirty Bird” Falcons

The team, led by head coach Dan Reeves, surprised the league with:

• A strong defense
• Productive offense
• A new signature touchdown dance—the “Dirty Bird”

Atlanta fans embraced the swagger:

• Local businesses decorated storefronts in red and black.
• Office conversations across Midtown and Downtown centered on playoff matchups.
• The Falcons’ success gave Atlanta national visibility in a new way.

Super Bowl XXXIII Appearance

The Falcons advanced to Super Bowl XXXIII, played in January 1999:

• It was the team’s first Super Bowl appearance.
• Though they lost to the Denver Broncos, reaching the Super Bowl marked a high point and permanently raised expectations in Atlanta.

Michael Vick Era and a New Kind of Excitement (Early–Mid 2000s)

In 2001, the Falcons drafted quarterback Michael Vick, transforming the way the team played and how the city connected with football.

A Star That Matched the City’s Energy

Vick’s style—explosive runs, big throws, and improvisation—fit Atlanta’s rising national profile in music, culture, and entertainment.

For locals, this era meant:

• Packed crowds at the Georgia Dome
• A younger fan base drawn in by highlights and video game-style plays
• A strong sense that the Falcons represented Atlanta’s creative, fast-paced identity

Playoff Success and National Spotlight

Under Vick, the Falcons:

• Became regular playoff contenders
• Won big games in prime-time national windows
• Helped cement Atlanta as a true “football city,” alongside its already strong college football traditions (like Georgia Tech just up North Avenue and the University of Georgia fans across the metro)

However, legal trouble eventually ended Vick’s time in Atlanta, leaving the city’s fanbase disappointed and unsure what would come next.

Rebuilding, Stability, and the Rise Under Matt Ryan (Late 2000s–2010s)

A New Foundation

In 2008, the Falcons drafted quarterback Matt Ryan and hired Mike Smith as head coach. This era is remembered for:

• Consistent winning seasons
• A more stable, disciplined style of football
• Regular playoff appearances that kept Atlanta in the national conversation

This was a period when many new Atlanta residents—people moving in from other states to live in places like Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, and East Atlanta—adopted the Falcons as their team.

The 2016 Super Bowl Season: A Historic High (and Low)

The 2016 season was one of the most explosive offensive years in Falcons history.

Record-Setting Offense

Under head coach Dan Quinn, with Matt Ryan at quarterback and star receiver Julio Jones, the Falcons:

• Led the league in scoring
• Played a thrilling, fast-paced style
• Rolled through the playoffs, including a major win in the NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome

For Atlanta, this was deeply emotional because it was also:

• The farewell season for the Georgia Dome
• A year when longtime fans and newcomers shared a sense of “this might finally be the year”

Super Bowl LI

The Falcons reached Super Bowl LI in February 2017. The game is remembered across Atlanta for:

• A commanding early lead that had the city erupting in celebration
• A dramatic comeback by the opposing team and an overtime loss that stunned fans

The result was heartbreaking, but that season solidified the Falcons as a central part of Atlanta’s modern identity.

Moving to Mercedes-Benz Stadium (2017–Present)

A New Home in the Heart of Atlanta

In 2017, the Falcons moved into Mercedes-Benz Stadium, located at:

• 1 AMB Drive NW
• Adjacent to downtown and the Westside, near the Vine City and GWCC/CNN Center MARTA stations

Key features that impact the fan experience:

• Retractable roof: Often opened for big games or pleasant weather
• Fan-friendly concessions: Known for relatively low prices on basics like hot dogs and sodas
• Modern design that stands out in the Atlanta skyline

For residents and visitors, the stadium has become:

• A landmark for major sporting events
• A hub for concerts, college football games, and soccer (home of Atlanta United FC)
• A symbol of downtown Atlanta’s ongoing transformation

The Falcons in Today’s Atlanta

Recent years have involved coaching changes, roster turnover, and a push to build the next great Falcons team. Even in rebuilding phases, the franchise remains:

• A cultural anchor: You see Falcons gear in neighborhoods from Old Fourth Ward to Camp Creek.
• A shared experience: Families pass down fandom, and local schools often hold “Falcons Friday” dress-up days.
• A visitor attraction: Tours of Mercedes-Benz Stadium give out-of-town fans a look at the team’s home turf and the city’s sports infrastructure.

How the Falcons Shape Life in Atlanta

If you’re in Atlanta, the Falcons are more than a schedule on TV—they influence traffic, businesses, and community events.

Game Day in the City

On Falcons home game days, you can expect:

• Crowded MARTA trains heading to the stadium from all directions
• Tailgates in nearby lots and around downtown
• Local bars in areas like Downtown, West Midtown, Inman Park, and Brookhaven filled with fans in jerseys

For locals, planning around kickoff times becomes second nature—whether you’re attending the game or just trying to avoid traffic on Northside Drive.

Impact on Local Businesses and Neighborhoods

The Falcons’ presence supports:

• Sports bars, restaurants, and hotels near Centennial Olympic Park, the CNN Center area, and the Gulch
• Vendors and gig workers who rely on game day crowds
• Youth football interest across metro Atlanta, with kids aspiring to one day wear the red and black

Quick Timeline of Key Moments in Atlanta Falcons History

What This History Means If You Live In or Visit Atlanta

For Atlanta residents:

• The Falcons are a year-round topic—from draft talk in spring to training camp in summer (held just outside the city) to game days in the fall.
• Generations of Atlantans remember different eras: some talk about the Grits Blitz, others about Vick, others about the Super Bowl LI run.

For visitors:

• Attending a Falcons game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium offers a snapshot of Atlanta culture—music, food, style, and community all in one place.
• Even if you’re not a hardcore fan, walking through downtown on game day shows how deeply the team is tied to the city’s identity.

For anyone trying to understand Atlanta:

• The story of the Atlanta Falcons parallels the story of Atlanta itself—rapid growth, reinvention, heartbreaks, comebacks, and a constant drive to prove itself on a national stage.

Knowing this history helps you see that when Atlanta rallies behind the Falcons, it’s not just about football. It’s about a city that’s been building, striving, and cheering together for decades.