What Time Do the Atlanta Falcons Play? Local Game-Time Guide for Atlanta Fans

If you live in Atlanta, plan to visit, or are just trying to figure out what time the Atlanta Falcons play, timing matters—for traffic, MARTA, parking, tailgating, and TV viewing. While the exact kickoff time changes week to week, there are clear patterns that can help you plan.

Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide to understanding Falcons game times, how they’re set, and how to plan your day around them.

Typical Atlanta Falcons Game Times (Eastern Time)

The Atlanta Falcons play in the Eastern Time Zone, and all home games are played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta.

Most regular-season games kick off in one of these windows:

Key takeaway:
If you’re asking “What time do the Atlanta Falcons play today?” the most common answer is 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, but you always need to confirm for that specific week.

How Falcons Game Times Are Decided

Understanding how schedules work helps explain why kickoff times change:

1. NFL Scheduling Windows

The NFL uses standard TV “windows”:

• Sunday 1:00 p.m. – Default for many Eastern teams like the Falcons
• Sunday 4:05 / 4:25 p.m. – Featured regional or broader games
• Sunday 8:20 p.m. – National “Sunday Night Football”
• Monday 8:15 p.m. – “Monday Night Football”
• Thursday 8:15 p.m. – “Thursday Night Football”

The Falcons can be slotted into any of these, depending on:

• Opponent and rivalry appeal
• Team performance that season
• National television interest
• Other scheduled games in those time slots

2. Flex Scheduling Later in the Season

Later in the season, some Sunday games can be “flexed”:

• A game originally scheduled at 1:00 p.m. might move to 4:25 p.m. or 8:20 p.m.
• This usually happens with matchups that have playoff implications or strong national interest.

If you’re in Atlanta and planning to go weeks or months ahead, it’s smart to:

• Check game time again in the week leading up to the game
• Pay attention to announcements from the Falcons and local news outlets

How to Quickly Find Today’s Falcons Kickoff Time in Atlanta

When you just want to know “What time do the Falcons play today?”, here are reliable approaches:

1. Official Team and League Sources

Use official, up-to-date sources such as:

• Atlanta Falcons official website – Lists the full schedule with dates, times (ET), and opponents
• Official NFL schedule page – Also lists Falcon games and clearly marks Eastern Time

Because local TV, traffic planning, and stadium operations follow these official times, they are the most dependable reference.

2. Local TV Listings in Atlanta

Falcons games that are on broadcast TV will be shown on Atlanta stations such as:

• FOX 5 Atlanta (WAGA) – Common for Sunday NFC games at 1:00 p.m. and 4:05/4:25 p.m.
• Other networks (for primetime games) depending on the NFL broadcast package

TV listings for these channels will show:

• Exact kickoff time
• Pre-game coverage (sometimes starting an hour or more before)

3. Game-Day Apps and Phone Assistants

Many fans in Atlanta rely on:

• Sports apps that display the next game and kickoff time in ET
• Calendar reminders you can set for kickoff and earlier for travel or tailgate arrival

This can be especially useful if the time has changed due to flex scheduling or if you’re juggling other Atlanta events.

Falcons Home Games in Atlanta: When You Need to Arrive

If you’re going to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, game time isn’t the only time that matters.

Typical Timing Around a 1:00 p.m. Sunday Game

For a 1:00 p.m. home kickoff in Atlanta:

• Stadium gates often open about 2 hours before kickoff
• Tailgating in designated lots can start even earlier, depending on lot rules
• Many fans aim to arrive downtown between 10:30–11:30 a.m.

This timing helps you:

• Avoid the worst of traffic on the Connector (I-75/85)
• Get through security checkpoints smoothly
• Grab food or drinks inside the stadium before the game

Evening and Night Games

For primetime games (8:15–8:20 p.m.):

• Expect heavy rush-hour overlap
• Downtown and Midtown traffic along I-75/85, I-20, Northside Drive, and Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. can back up early
• Many locals plan to:
  • Take MARTA instead of driving, or
  • Go downtown early (after work) and grab dinner near the stadium

Getting to Mercedes-Benz Stadium On Time

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

1. MARTA Timing Tips

Using MARTA is often one of the easiest ways to make kickoff:

• Take east-west (Blue/Green) or north-south (Red/Gold) lines and transfer as needed
• Use GWCC/CNN Center Station or Vine City Station to walk to the stadium
• On game days, trains usually run more frequently before and after the game

For a 1:00 p.m. kickoff:

• Many Atlanta riders aim to be on a train no later than 11:00–11:30 a.m.

For 8:15 p.m. night games:

• Plan to board by 6:30–7:00 p.m. to allow for any delays and security lines

2. Driving and Parking Timing

If you choose to drive:

• Pre-book parking in nearby garages or surface lots when possible

• For Sunday 1:00 p.m. games, many locals try to be parked by 11:00 a.m.

• For night games, give yourself extra time due to work traffic, especially if you’re:

  • Coming in on I-20, I-75, or I-85
  • Passing through bottlenecks like the Downtown Connector

Watching the Atlanta Falcons on TV in Atlanta

If you’re staying home, at a hotel, or watching at a bar in the city, timing still matters.

Common Broadcast Start Times

• Kickoff is often exactly at 1:00, 4:05, 4:25, 8:15, or 8:20 p.m.
• Pre-game shows may begin 30–60 minutes before the game starts

Locally, fans follow:

• Sunday afternoon Falcons games – often on a local FOX affiliate for NFC matchups
• Primetime games – on major national networks at the scheduled kickoff time

To avoid missing the first drive, turn on the broadcast at least 10–15 minutes before kickoff.

Planning Your Day in Atlanta Around Falcons Kickoff

Because Atlanta traffic, parking, and transit can be intense on game day, it helps to work backward from kickoff.

For a 1:00 p.m. Home Game

Many residents aim for:

• 10:00–10:30 a.m. – Leave home if driving from suburbs like Marietta, Decatur, or College Park
• 10:45–11:30 a.m. – Ride MARTA and walk to the stadium
• 12:30 p.m. – Be in your seat for player introductions and the national anthem

For an 8:15 p.m. Night Game

A common approach in Atlanta:

• 5:30–6:30 p.m. – Leave work early or head downtown for dinner
• 6:30–7:15 p.m. – Park or arrive by MARTA
• 7:45–8:00 p.m. – Be in your seat before kickoff festivities

This timing helps you avoid rushing in heavy downtown traffic and missing early key plays.

Quick Checklist: Answering “What Time Do the Falcons Play Today?”

When you need a fast, Atlanta-friendly answer:

1. Confirm the kickoff time in Eastern Time

   • Check the official Falcons or NFL schedule for today’s game.

2. Note whether it’s home or away

   • Home: at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, downtown Atlanta
   • Away: still listed in Eastern Time if you’re in Atlanta.

3. Plan your travel or viewing schedule

   • Home game: aim to be near the stadium 90–120 minutes before kickoff.
   • Watching in Atlanta: turn on TV or streaming 10–15 minutes before kickoff.

4. Watch for schedule changes

   • Late-season games can have times moved for TV; check again during game week.

In short, the Atlanta Falcons most often play at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sundays, but they also appear in late-afternoon and primetime slots throughout the season. If you’re in Atlanta, always double-check the specific week’s kickoff time, then plan your transportation, parking, or watch party around that time so you don’t miss the opening kickoff.