Atlanta, Georgia Sports Teams: Your Local Fan Guide

Atlanta is one of the country’s most active sports cities. Whether you live here, are visiting for a weekend, or are just trying to understand the local scene, Atlanta sports teams touch almost every major professional league plus a deep lineup of college, minor league, and community options.

This guide walks through the major professional teams, key college programs, and where and how to experience sports in Atlanta like a local.

The Big Four: Major Professional Sports Teams in Atlanta

Atlanta is home to top-level teams in football, baseball, basketball, and soccer. These are the teams most visitors and residents follow closely.

Atlanta Falcons (NFL – Football)

League: National Football League (NFL)
Home stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Location: 1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

The Atlanta Falcons are the city’s NFL franchise and a major part of the fall and winter sports calendar. Home games bring big crowds to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Downtown Atlanta, right next to the Georgia World Congress Center and State Farm Arena.

Key things to know:

• Season: Early September through January (preseason in August).
• Game day experience: The stadium is known for its fan-friendly concessions, large video board, and retractable roof.
• Getting there: Many fans ride MARTA to Vine City or GWCC/CNN Center stations to avoid parking congestion.

If you’re in town during football season, catching a Falcons game is one of the most “Atlanta” experiences you can have.

Atlanta Braves (MLB – Baseball)

League: Major League Baseball (MLB)
Home park: Truist Park at The Battery Atlanta
Location: 755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30339

The Atlanta Braves are Atlanta’s long-standing Major League Baseball team and one of the most recognizable sports brands in the Southeast.

About the Braves experience:

• Season: April through early October, with possible postseason games later into the fall.
• Ballpark district: Truist Park is part of The Battery Atlanta, a mixed-use development with restaurants, shops, and entertainment that stays busy even on non-game days.
• Family-friendly: Many locals view Braves games as a casual, family-oriented outing, with kids’ zones, lawn areas, and plenty of pre- and postgame activities.

For visitors staying in central Atlanta, Truist Park is typically reached by car, rideshare, or shuttles, as it sits in the Cumberland area just northwest of city limits.

Atlanta Hawks (NBA – Basketball)

League: National Basketball Association (NBA)
Home arena: State Farm Arena
Location: 1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303

The Atlanta Hawks bring pro basketball energy to Downtown Atlanta. The team plays at State Farm Arena, located right next to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and connected to the CNN Center area.

What to expect:

• Season: October through April, with playoffs potentially extending into May.
• Atmosphere: Hawks games are known for a lively in-arena environment, with in-game entertainment, music, and a strong connection to Atlanta’s culture.
• Transportation: State Farm Arena is directly accessible via MARTA’s GWCC/CNN Center station, making it one of the easier venues to reach without a car.

If you’re looking for indoor sports during the cooler months, Hawks games are a popular choice for both residents and visitors.

Atlanta United FC (MLS – Soccer)

League: Major League Soccer (MLS)
Home stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Location: 1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Atlanta United FC is Atlanta’s professional soccer team, and it quickly built a reputation for passionate supporters and electric match-day atmospheres.

Highlights:

• Season: Late February or early March through fall.
• Supporter culture: Local fan groups, chants, and marching bands create a soccer-specific atmosphere inside the same building used by the Falcons, but the vibe is very different.
• Crowds: Home matches often draw large, energetic audiences from all across the metro area.

If you want to experience a distinctly modern side of Atlanta sports culture, an Atlanta United match is a strong option.

Other Professional & Semi-Pro Teams Around Atlanta

Beyond the major four, Atlanta hosts additional pro, minor league, and high-level semi-professional teams, giving fans many ways to engage.

WNBA and Women’s Professional Sports

Atlanta Dream (WNBA – Women’s Basketball)

League: Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Home arena: Gateway Center Arena (College Park)
Location: 2330 Convention Center Concourse, College Park, GA 30337

The Atlanta Dream are the city’s WNBA team and a key part of Atlanta’s professional sports identity.

• Season: Summer months, typically May through September.
• Location: The Gateway Center Arena sits near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, just south of the city and easily reached by car or MARTA to the Airport and SkyTrain connections.
• Vibe: Games often feel more intimate than NBA events, with strong community engagement and family-friendly pricing.

Minor League & Developmental Teams

Gwinnett Stripers (Triple-A Baseball)

League: Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves
Home park: Coolray Field
Location: 2500 Buford Dr, Lawrenceville, GA 30043

For a slightly more relaxed and often more affordable baseball experience, locals visit the Gwinnett Stripers, the Braves’ Triple-A team.

• Season: Similar to MLB, spring through early fall.
• Appeal: Smaller stadium, easier parking, frequent promotional nights, and a focus on family entertainment.

Atlanta Gladiators (ECHL – Hockey)

League: ECHL (minor league professional hockey)
Home arena: Gas South Arena
Location: 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30097

While Atlanta does not currently host an NHL team, the Atlanta Gladiators provide live ice hockey in the metro area.

• Season: Typically October through April.
• Experience: Fans often appreciate the close-up view of play and accessible ticket prices compared to major league equivalents.

College Sports: Georgia Tech, Georgia State, and More

College athletics are a major piece of the Atlanta sports landscape, especially for residents and alumni.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (ACC)

Institution: Georgia Institute of Technology
Location: Midtown Atlanta, 225 North Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30332

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and offer high-level college sports right in the city.

Key programs:

• Football: Home games at Bobby Dodd Stadium, one of the oldest on-campus stadiums in the country, overlooking Midtown.
• Men’s & Women’s Basketball: Played at McCamish Pavilion.
• Baseball, softball, and more: Various facilities located across the Tech campus.

For Atlanta residents, Georgia Tech games are a central option for college football and basketball without leaving the city limits.

Georgia State Panthers

Institution: Georgia State University
Location: Downtown Atlanta, multiple campus buildings

Georgia State University has expanded its athletics profile significantly in recent years.

Highlights:

• Football: Home games at Center Parc Stadium (the former Olympic Stadium/Turner Field) just south of Downtown.
• Basketball: Held at the GSU Convocation Center, also near the Downtown campus.
• Other sports: Baseball, softball, and more, with a presence dotted around metro Atlanta.

Georgia State games can be a convenient and budget-friendly way to enjoy Division I college sports in the heart of the city.

Other Nearby College Programs

While not all are within Atlanta city limits, many local fans follow:

• University of Georgia Bulldogs (Athens, GA) – a major presence in college football culture for Atlanta residents.
• Kennesaw State Owls (Kennesaw, GA) – increasingly visible, especially in football and basketball.
• Emory University (Atlanta) – known more for academic reputation and strong Division III athletics, including tennis, swimming, and more.

Many Atlantans adopt a mix of local college loyalties, often driven by where they studied or family connections.

Where Atlanta Sports Teams Play: Quick Reference

Below is a simple overview of where major Atlanta sports teams are based and when they usually play.

How to Experience Atlanta Sports as a Visitor or New Resident

If you’re trying to figure out how to plug into the Atlanta sports scene, a few practical tips can help.

Choosing Which Game to See

Consider:

• Time of year:

  • Spring/Summer: Braves, Atlanta United, Dream, Stripers, some college baseball.
  • Fall: Falcons, Atlanta United, college football, Gladiators (late fall).
  • Winter: Hawks, Gladiators, college basketball.

• Type of experience you want:

  • Big-event feel: Falcons, Braves, Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz or Truist Park.
  • Indoor, climate-controlled: Hawks, Dream, many college basketball games.
  • Family-focused and lower cost: Stripers, Gladiators, some college events.

• Location and transportation:

  • Downtown/Midtown: Hawks, Falcons, Atlanta United, some Georgia State events, Georgia Tech.
  • Suburbs: Braves (Cumberland), Stripers (Lawrenceville), Gladiators (Duluth), Dream (College Park).

Getting to the Venues

Many Atlanta sports venues are directly connected to transit:

• MARTA rail:
  • GWCC/CNN Center station – State Farm Arena & Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
  • North Avenue station – Georgia Tech (with a short walk or campus transit).
  • Airport station – For the Dream at Gateway Center Arena (with SkyTrain connection).

For suburban stadiums like Truist Park, Coolray Field, and Gas South Arena, most fans rely on:

• Personal vehicles
• Rideshare services
• Occasional shuttles or private bus services on game days

Parking availability and pricing vary widely, so checking venue-specific guidance before leaving home is common practice among locals.

Buying Tickets and What to Expect

• Ticket sources: Many Atlantans purchase through the teams’ official ticketing platforms or well-known third-party marketplaces.
• Upper vs. lower levels:
  • Upper levels in the big venues often provide a more affordable way to experience the atmosphere.
  • Lower levels and club areas can offer closer views and additional amenities.
• Security and policies:
  • Expect bag size limits, walk-through security, and clear-bag policies at most major venues.
  • Food and drink policies differ; many venues restrict outside items.

If you’re visiting, planning a sports event as a centerpiece of your trip can give you a feel for local culture beyond the usual attractions.

Community, Youth, and Recreational Sports in Atlanta

If you’re not just watching sports but want to participate:

• City of Atlanta Parks & Recreation: Offers youth leagues, adult leagues, and open gym times at recreation centers across the city.
• Local clubs and pickup leagues: Soccer, basketball, flag football, and softball leagues meet at public parks and private facilities throughout the metro area.
• College and high school sports: Many high schools and smaller colleges around Atlanta have public games that residents attend, especially for football and basketball.

These options give new residents and long-time Atlantans a way to play, not just watch.

How Atlanta Sports Shape Local Culture

Atlanta’s sports teams are tied into:

• Neighborhood identity: From Midtown and Downtown event nights to suburban areas rallying around Braves country.
• Regional pride: Pro teams and college powerhouses like Georgia Tech and nearby Georgia often shape weekend plans and local conversation.
• Year-round activity: Because different sports dominate different seasons, there is almost always at least one major team active at any given time.

Whether you’re cheering at a sold-out Falcons game, spending a sunny afternoon at Truist Park, watching Atlanta United supporters transform Mercedes-Benz Stadium, or catching a college rivalry near campus, Atlanta offers a broad, deep sports environment that’s easy to access and hard to ignore.

For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, understanding these local sports teams is a direct window into how the city spends its weekends, celebrates victories, and builds community.