Atlanta vs. Carolina Game: How to Watch, Attend, and Enjoy It in Atlanta

When people in Atlanta search for “Atlanta Carolina game,” they’re usually looking for one of two things:

1. The Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers NFL matchup
2. The Atlanta Hawks vs. Charlotte Hornets NBA game

This guide focuses on how these Atlanta vs. Carolina games work for fans in and around Atlanta, Georgia—how to watch, how to get tickets, where the games are played, and what to know if you’re planning to go in person.

What the “Atlanta Carolina Game” Usually Means

In Atlanta, the phrase Atlanta Carolina game most often refers to:

• NFL: Atlanta Falcons (Atlanta) vs. Carolina Panthers (Charlotte, NC)
• NBA: Atlanta Hawks (Atlanta) vs. Charlotte Hornets (Charlotte, NC)

Both are regional rivalries that Atlanta fans follow closely, especially when:

• Carolina comes to Atlanta (home game for Atlanta)
• Atlanta travels to Charlotte (away game but still drivable from Atlanta)

If you live in the metro area, you’re usually dealing with games held at one of these venues:

Where the Atlanta vs. Carolina Games Are Played in Atlanta

Falcons vs. Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the home of the Atlanta Falcons and is where the Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers game is played when it’s in Atlanta.

• Address: 1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Area: Downtown, near Vine City and Castleberry Hill
• Public Transit:
  • MARTA GWCC/CNN Center Station (Blue/Green Line)
  • MARTA Vine City Station (Blue/Green Line)

When Carolina comes to town, the stadium and the surrounding area fill up with both Atlanta and Carolina fans, making it a high-energy rivalry environment.

Hawks vs. Hornets at State Farm Arena

State Farm Arena is the home of the Atlanta Hawks and hosts the Hawks vs. Charlotte Hornets games in Atlanta.

• Address: 1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Area: Downtown, next to Centennial Olympic Park and Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Public Transit:
  • MARTA GWCC/CNN Center Station (Blue/Green Line)

If your search for “Atlanta Carolina game” is basketball-related, this is where you’ll be heading for a home matchup.

How to Find the Date and Time of the Atlanta Carolina Game

Because schedules change every season, the matchup time and day will vary. In Atlanta, here’s how people commonly confirm the details:

• Check the official team schedules
  • Falcons schedule for the Falcons vs. Panthers game
  • Hawks schedule for the Hawks vs. Hornets game
• Look at league schedules
  • NFL schedule (for Falcons–Panthers)
  • NBA schedule (for Hawks–Hornets)
• Local sports media
  • Atlanta-focused TV sports segments
  • Local news sports pages and apps

You’ll want to confirm:

• Kickoff or tipoff time
• Home vs. away (Is the game in Atlanta or Carolina?)
• Day of week (weekend vs. weekday affects traffic and parking)

How to Watch the Atlanta Carolina Game in Atlanta

Watching on TV in Atlanta

For most Atlanta residents, the Atlanta vs. Carolina game will air on:

• Regional or national sports networks that carry NFL or NBA games
• Local broadcast channels when the NFL game is in a national or regional window
• Cable, satellite, or streaming services that include those channels

Because specific channel listings change, Atlanta viewers generally:

• Check the TV guide within their cable or streaming app
• Use the “Sports” or “Live TV” section in their streaming service
• Look up “Falcons vs. Panthers TV channel” or “Hawks vs. Hornets TV channel” with the Atlanta location in mind

If you’re staying in a hotel in Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead, you can usually find the game on standard sports or local channels included with in-room TV.

Streaming the Game From Atlanta

Many people in Atlanta stream the Atlanta vs. Carolina game using:

• Live TV streaming services that carry national and regional sports channels
• League-specific streaming packages, where available and allowed in the Atlanta market

Keep in mind:

• Local blackout rules may apply for some league packages.
• If the game is being shown on a local Atlanta broadcast channel, many streaming services based in the Atlanta area will carry that feed.

Going to the Atlanta Carolina Game in Person

Buying Tickets in Atlanta

You can purchase tickets for:

• Falcons vs. Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Hawks vs. Hornets at State Farm Arena

Typical ways Atlanta fans buy tickets:

• Directly through the team’s official ticketing portal
• Through major, well-known ticket marketplaces
• At the venue box office (subject to availability, more likely limited for popular games)

If you’re already downtown, box offices for these venues are located on-site and clearly marked, but availability often becomes tight closer to game day for key rivalry games.

Getting to the Stadium or Arena

For the Atlanta vs. Carolina game in Atlanta, many fans choose MARTA to avoid traffic and parking costs.

Using MARTA

• To Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Falcons–Panthers):
  • Take the Blue or Green Line to GWCC/CNN Center or Vine City
• To State Farm Arena (Hawks–Hornets):
  • Take the Blue or Green Line to GWCC/CNN Center

MARTA is popular for night games and big rivalry matchups because:

• It avoids heavy Downtown Atlanta congestion
• Trains typically run more frequently around major events

Driving and Parking

If you prefer to drive to the Atlanta vs. Carolina game:

• Plan for heavy traffic on I-75/85, I-20, and surrounding downtown streets, especially around kickoff or tipoff.
• Look for official parking decks and lots associated with each venue.
• Many fans pre-pay for parking through official channels to guarantee a spot and reduce last-minute stress.

If you’re unfamiliar with downtown, it helps to arrive earlier than you think you need to, especially for the Falcons–Panthers game, which draws large crowds.

What to Expect Inside the Atlanta Stadium or Arena

Atmosphere at Falcons vs. Panthers in Atlanta

When the Carolina Panthers come to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the atmosphere is typically:

• Loud and energetic, with music and in-game entertainment
• A mix of Atlanta Falcons fans and a noticeable group of traveling Carolina fans
• Packed in the lower bowl and sideline areas, especially for key games

Common fan experiences:

• Tailgating-style gatherings in nearby areas before the game
• Team-colored jerseys everywhere (Falcons red/black, Panthers blue/black)
• In-game presentations, scoreboards, and fan cams adding to the rivalry feel

Atmosphere at Hawks vs. Hornets in Atlanta

At a Hawks vs. Hornets game in State Farm Arena, you can expect:

• A high-energy NBA environment with music, light shows, and in-game entertainment
• Strong local support for the Hawks and a visible contingent of Hornets fans
• A more compact indoor feel compared to the open stadium, with sound amplifying the crowd

Because the arena is walkable to many downtown attractions, some fans make a full evening of:

• Dinner in Downtown or the nearby Centennial Olympic Park area
• A short walk to the game
• Post-game drinks or dessert nearby

Nearby Atlanta Areas to Know on Game Day

If you’re making a day or night out of the Atlanta Carolina game, a few nearby Atlanta spots often factor into plans:

• Centennial Olympic Park: Public green space a short walk from both venues.
• CNN Center area: Food options and access to the GWCC/CNN MARTA station.
• Castleberry Hill: Neighborhood just south of Mercedes-Benz Stadium with bars and restaurants.
• Downtown hotels: Many fans stay at hotels within walking distance of State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium to avoid driving.

For visitors, staying in Downtown or Midtown can make it easier to:

• Use MARTA instead of renting a car
• Walk to the game
• Explore nearby attractions the same day

Quick Reference: Atlanta vs. Carolina Game Basics for Atlanta Fans

Use this simple overview to plan your day around the Atlanta Carolina game:

If your interest in the Atlanta Carolina game is tied to a specific season or league (NFL or NBA), your next step is to check the current year’s Falcons or Hawks schedule, confirm whether the game is in Atlanta or Carolina, and then decide whether you’ll watch from home, stream it, or head downtown to experience the rivalry in person.