Atlanta United Schedule: How to Follow Every Match From Atlanta

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting and want to catch Atlanta United FC, knowing how the Atlanta United schedule works makes it much easier to plan matchdays, traffic, tickets, and watch parties around the city.

Below is a clear guide to how the schedule is set up, where Atlanta United plays, when they usually play, and the best ways to keep up with changes throughout the season.

How the Atlanta United Schedule Is Organized

Atlanta United plays in Major League Soccer (MLS), and the club’s schedule is built around several types of competitions:

• MLS regular season (the main schedule most fans follow)
• MLS Cup Playoffs (if the team qualifies)
• Leagues Cup (MLS vs. Mexican Liga MX clubs, mid-season)
• U.S. Open Cup (domestic cup that can add midweek games)
• Occasional friendlies or special matches

For a fan in Atlanta, that means:

• Most home league matches are played at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta.

  • Address: 1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

• A smaller number of games may be played at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw (often for cup matches or when the stadium configuration is smaller).

  • Address: 3200 George Busbee Pkwy NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144

Because MLS and cup competitions overlap, your Atlanta United calendar can include weekend and weekday games, plus a mix of home and away matches.

Typical Timing of the Atlanta United Season

While exact dates change each year, the Atlanta United schedule tends to follow this general pattern:

H2: Main Season Windows

MLS Regular Season (Primary Schedule)

• Usually runs from late winter/early spring (around February or March)
  through fall (around October)
• Games are mostly on weekends, with some midweek fixtures

MLS Cup Playoffs

• If Atlanta United qualifies, playoff games typically take place in late fall
• These matches are scheduled on short notice compared to the regular season, so the schedule can change quickly

Leagues Cup & U.S. Open Cup

• Leagues Cup usually happens in the middle of the MLS season, creating a short “tournament break” in regular league play
• U.S. Open Cup matches are scattered, often midweek, creating extra games in the Atlanta United calendar

For someone in Atlanta planning ahead, it’s helpful to:

• Look at monthly schedule blocks (e.g., “March home games”)
• Pay attention to international breaks when some MLS matches pause or lineups change

Home vs. Away Games: What Atlanta Fans Need to Know

H3: Home Matches in Atlanta

Most Atlanta United games labeled as “vs” (for example, “Atlanta United vs Orlando City”) are home games, typically at:

Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

• Location: Central downtown, near Vine City and GWCC/CNN Center MARTA stations
• Surrounded by parking decks, surface lots, and walkable areas near the Georgia World Congress Center and State Farm Arena

Some home matches (especially smaller events or certain cup games) may be held at:

Fifth Third Bank Stadium (Kennesaw)

• Located on the Kennesaw State University campus
• More convenient for fans in Cobb County and northwest metro Atlanta

H3: Away Matches

Games listed as “at” another team (for example, “at Charlotte FC”) are away games.

Even if you’re not traveling, you may still want to know when they’re happening for:

• Watch parties at Atlanta bars and restaurants
• Planning around traffic and parking near downtown if there are simultaneous events
• Following the team via TV or streaming at home

How to Read an Atlanta United Match Listing

Most schedule listings follow a familiar format. Here’s a simple example of how a portion of an Atlanta United schedule might look and what each part means:

Key things an Atlanta‑based fan usually looks for:

• Date & time (Eastern Time) – Almost all listings for Atlanta United use ET, since Atlanta is in the Eastern time zone.
• Home vs. Away – To see if you’ll actually be going to a stadium in metro Atlanta or just watching from home.
• Competition type – MLS, Leagues Cup, or U.S. Open Cup can affect ticket demand, atmosphere, and opponent strength.
• Venue – Important for planning MARTA, rideshare, or driving.

Where to Find the Most Up‑to‑Date Atlanta United Schedule

Because matches can be rescheduled, moved for TV, or shifted for weather, the most reliable schedule is always the current season schedule from official sources.

For people in Atlanta, the most common ways to keep up are:

• Official team schedule pages (for Atlanta United and MLS)
• Team apps on your phone that send notifications
• Local sports sections in Atlanta news outlets
• In‑stadium printed or digital materials when the season begins

When planning a matchday in Atlanta (especially if you’re coordinating with a group), it’s smart to double‑check the date and kickoff time the week of the match, as minor time changes do happen.

Planning Your Matchday Around the Schedule

Once you know the Atlanta United schedule, the next step is figuring out how to get to and from the match, where to park, and how early to arrive.

H2: Getting to Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

For most home games, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium is the main destination.

Public Transit (MARTA)
MARTA is usually the most predictable choice on busy matchdays:

• GWCC/CNN Center Station (Blue/Green Line) – A short walk to the stadium
• Vine City Station (Blue/Green Line) – Also within walking distance, often less crowded than GWCC
• From areas like Buckhead, Midtown, and Decatur, you can connect to these lines through Five Points or other transfer stations

Driving & Parking
When checking the schedule:

• Allow extra time for traffic on I‑75/I‑85 and the Connector, especially for weekend evening games
• Look for pre‑purchased parking in lots and decks around:
  • Northside Drive
  • Marietta Street
  • Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd
• Be aware of overlapping events (Hawks games, conventions at Georgia World Congress Center, concerts) which can affect travel time on the same night as an Atlanta United match

H2: Getting to Fifth Third Bank Stadium (Kennesaw)

If the schedule lists a home match at Fifth Third Bank Stadium:

• Expect to drive or rideshare; heavy rail MARTA does not extend to Kennesaw
• From central Atlanta, plan roughly 30–45 minutes when traffic is light, longer during rush hours
• Parking is typically on or near the Kennesaw State University campus

Choosing Which Atlanta United Games to Attend

Looking at the full schedule at once can feel overwhelming, especially for new fans in Atlanta. Many locals choose matches based on:

• Rivalry games – Matches vs. Orlando, Nashville, and other regional clubs can have a louder, more intense atmosphere
• Weekend vs. weekday – Weekend games are often better if you’re coming from the suburbs (Alpharetta, Marietta, Peachtree City, etc.)
• Weather and stadium configuration – Early spring and late fall games can be cooler; many matches use the stadium roof closed configuration
• Family‑friendly times – Afternoon or early evening kickoffs can be easier for kids

If you’re visiting Atlanta and only in town a few days, checking the Atlanta United schedule for that specific week can help you decide between:

• A full matchday at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
• A sports‑bar watch party in neighborhoods like Inman Park, Midtown, Virginia‑Highland, or West Midtown

TV, Streaming, and Watch Options in Atlanta

Even when you’re not going to the stadium, the schedule matters because it determines:

• Whether matches are on local time in the evening or in the afternoon
• Which TV or streaming platforms carry the game
• Which games are likely to have strong watch‑party attendance at local spots

In Atlanta, fans often:

• Check the schedule for kickoff time and broadcast info
• Head to soccer‑friendly bars and restaurants, especially in:
  • Midtown
  • Old Fourth Ward
  • East Atlanta Village
  • West Midtown / Howell Mill area

Always confirm the kickoff time in Eastern Time and aim to arrive at a venue 20–30 minutes early if you want a good seat for the broadcast.

Tips for Using the Atlanta United Schedule Effectively

To make the most of the Atlanta United calendar as a local or visitor:

• Scan the schedule monthly
  Look at all matches in a given month and flag:

  • Home games you might attend
  • Big rivalry or marquee matches
  • Midweek games that might affect your commute downtown

• Sync key games with your personal calendar
  Adding home and major away matches to your phone or shared family calendar can help avoid conflicts.

• Watch for last‑minute changes
  Time or date adjustments sometimes happen, especially for weather or TV. A quick check the day before a match can prevent surprises.

• Plan your route by venue
  As soon as you see whether a match is at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium or Fifth Third Bank Stadium, decide:

  • MARTA vs. driving
  • Which parking areas you prefer
  • Whether you’ll eat near Downtown, Castleberry Hill, or Kennesaw before or after the game

Helpful Local Points of Contact

If you have questions related to matchdays, travel, or navigating downtown Atlanta around game times, these local resources may help:

• City of Atlanta – ATL311 (Information & Non‑Emergency Services)
  Phone: 311 (inside city limits) or 404‑546‑0311
  Can provide general information on road closures, city services, and downtown events.

• Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)
  Customer Service: 404‑848‑5000
  Helpful for planning train and bus routes to GWCC/CNN Center and Vine City stations on matchdays.

• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium Guest Services
  Main office (general information): 1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  Contact info is available through stadium channels if you need details on accessibility, gates, or stadium policies for Atlanta United games.

By understanding how the Atlanta United schedule is structured, when the season runs, and how home and away games fit into life in Atlanta, you can plan matchdays, travel, and watch plans with far less stress—whether you’re a longtime local or just in town hoping to experience a match in the city.