Atlanta Flames: The NHL Team That Helped Shape Atlanta’s Sports Identity

When people in Atlanta mention the Atlanta Flames, they’re talking about a short but memorable chapter in the city’s sports history. The Flames were a National Hockey League (NHL) team that played in Atlanta from 1972 to 1980, long before the Atlanta Thrashers and today’s focus on other major sports.

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or are just curious about how hockey fits into the city’s story, understanding the Atlanta Flames gives helpful context for how Atlanta has changed as a sports town.

Who Were the Atlanta Flames?

The Atlanta Flames were a professional ice hockey team that joined the NHL as an expansion franchise in 1972. They played their home games at The Omni Coliseum in downtown Atlanta, a multi-purpose arena that once stood where State Farm Arena is today.

Key points:

• League: National Hockey League (NHL)
• Years in Atlanta: 1972–1980
• Home arena: The Omni Coliseum (demolished in the 1990s)
• Team colors: Primarily red, yellow/gold, and white
• Logo: A stylized “A” in flames, a nod both to Atlanta and the city’s rebirth after the Civil War

Although the team never won a Stanley Cup or reached the same local popularity as the Braves, Falcons, or Hawks, the Flames were Atlanta’s first NHL franchise and helped introduce many locals to professional ice hockey.

Why Were They Called the “Flames”?

For someone in Atlanta, the name “Flames” often makes immediate sense once the local history is considered.

The name referenced:

• Atlanta’s rebuilding after the Civil War, when much of the city was burned
• The idea of the “Phoenix City” rising from the ashes
• A strong, bold symbol that fit a new, fast-paced sport for the region

The flaming “A” logo became an iconic mark that many longtime Atlanta sports fans still recognize today.

Where Did the Atlanta Flames Play?

The Flames played at The Omni Coliseum, downtown near where many of Atlanta’s major sports venues stand today.

While The Omni itself no longer exists, it was located in what’s now the Centennial Olympic Park / State Farm Arena / CNN Center area.

Today, for local orientation:

• Approximate area:
  • Near State Farm Arena – 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Close to Centennial Olympic Park and the CNN Center

Even though you can’t visit The Omni anymore, walking around this area gives you a sense of where thousands of Atlantans once went to watch NHL hockey.

How Successful Were the Atlanta Flames?

From a competitive standpoint, the Flames were respectable but not dominant.

General pattern of their performance:

• They made the playoffs several times in the 1970s
• However, they never advanced deep into the postseason
• Attendance and local interest were solid at times but inconsistent, especially compared with longer-established teams in other cities

For many Atlanta residents at the time, hockey was a new sport, and the city was still building its broader sports identity with baseball (Braves), football (Falcons), and basketball (Hawks).

Why Did the Atlanta Flames Leave?

If you’re wondering, “What happened to the Atlanta Flames?” the short answer is: they were sold and relocated.

Common factors that contributed:

• Financial challenges and ownership concerns
• Attendance that lagged behind expectations for a sustained NHL market at that time
• The NHL’s evolving structure and interest in placing teams in different regions

In 1980, the team was sold and moved to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, becoming the Calgary Flames, who still play in the NHL today.

Atlanta has not had the Flames since then, but the name and logo live on in Calgary with clear roots back to this city.

Timeline of the Atlanta Flames at a Glance

Atlanta Flames and Today’s Atlanta Sports Scene

Even though the team has been gone for decades, the Atlanta Flames still matter to the city’s sports culture.

1. Legacy in Atlanta’s Hockey Story

The Flames:

• Were Atlanta’s entry point into big-league hockey
• Helped build a base of local hockey fans
• Set the stage for the later Atlanta Thrashers (1999–2011), who also eventually relocated (to Winnipeg)

If you talk to older Atlantans or long-time sports fans, many still remember:

• The red-and-gold jerseys
• The energy in The Omni on game nights
• Collecting Flames merchandise and programs

2. Local Youth Hockey and Adult Leagues

While Atlanta doesn’t currently have an NHL team, there is a steady hockey presence in the metro area, influenced in part by the city’s past NHL franchises.

You’ll find:

• Youth hockey programs at area rinks like those in Duluth, Marietta, or Alpharetta
• Adult recreational leagues and pickup games
• Fans who still wear vintage Atlanta Flames gear

For Atlanta residents interested in hockey today, local ice rinks and community sports programs can provide updated information about leagues, skating lessons, and youth teams.

Where Can You See Atlanta Flames History in Atlanta?

While there’s no single, official “Atlanta Flames museum,” you can find traces and tributes in several ways:

State Farm Arena & Downtown Area

• The State Farm Arena area is built on and around the same broader site where The Omni Coliseum once stood.
• Even though the building is new, sports historians and long-time fans often associate this space with both the Flames and the city’s overall pro sports evolution.

Local Sports Bars and Memorabilia Shops

Some Atlanta sports bars, vintage stores, and memorabilia shops may display:

• Old Atlanta Flames jerseys
• Posters or framed photos from games at The Omni
• Collectible pucks, pins, or programs

Because items like this can move around, it’s typically helpful to call ahead or ask locally if you’re specifically hunting for Flames memorabilia.

Personal Collections and Community Stories

A lot of the Flames’ history in Atlanta lives in personal collections, family stories, and local fan groups.

If you’re trying to learn more:

• Ask long-time Atlantans or older family members what they remember
• Join local Atlanta sports fan discussions (online or in person)
• Visit community events where vintage Atlanta sports history is celebrated

Atlanta Flames vs. Atlanta Thrashers: Understanding the Difference

For someone new to Atlanta, it can be easy to confuse the city’s two past NHL teams.

Key differences:

• Atlanta Flames

  • Played: 1972–1980
  • Arena: The Omni Coliseum
  • Relocated to: Calgary (now Calgary Flames)

• Atlanta Thrashers

  • Played: 1999–2011
  • Arena: What is now State Farm Arena (previously Philips Arena)
  • Relocated to: Winnipeg (now Winnipeg Jets)

Both teams are part of Atlanta’s hockey narrative, but the Flames were the first and carry a special historical weight, especially for fans who grew up in the 1970s.

Tips for Hockey Fans Living in or Visiting Atlanta Today

If the history of the Atlanta Flames has sparked your interest in hockey, there are still ways to stay connected to the sport while you’re in the city:

• Watch NHL games on TV or streaming at Atlanta sports bars, especially during the playoffs.
• Visit local ice rinks to skate or watch youth and adult games.
• Look for retro Atlanta Flames merchandise online or in vintage sports shops around Metro Atlanta.
• Check out college or minor-league style hockey options in the region when available, as schedules and teams can shift over time.

Why the Atlanta Flames Still Matter in Atlanta

Even though the Flames left over 40 years ago, they:

• Marked Atlanta’s first major step into professional ice hockey
• Helped shape the city’s identity as a multi-sport market
• Created memories that many locals still share with pride and nostalgia

If you’re trying to understand Atlanta’s full sports history, the Atlanta Flames are an important early chapter—one that began at The Omni, helped introduce the city to NHL hockey, and still influences how Atlantans talk about teams coming and going today.