Atlanta United FC: Your Guide to Atlanta’s MLS Team

Atlanta loves its sports, and Atlanta United FC has quickly become one of the city’s most recognizable teams. Whether you live in Atlanta, are in town for a weekend, or just want to understand how Major League Soccer (MLS) fits into the city’s sports culture, this guide walks you through what you need to know about the Atlanta United team.

What Is Atlanta United FC?

Atlanta United FC is the city’s Major League Soccer (MLS) club. It began play in 2017 and quickly became known for:

• Huge, loud home crowds at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• An attacking style of play that’s fun to watch
• Strong ties to Atlanta’s neighborhoods and diverse communities

The team is often simply called “Atlanta United” or “The Five Stripes” (a reference to its striped home kit).

For locals, Atlanta United has become a popular way to show city pride, especially in the spring, summer, and fall when the MLS season is in full swing.

Where Atlanta United Plays: Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Most home games are played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in downtown Atlanta:

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

This is the same stadium used by the Atlanta Falcons. For Atlanta United matches, the stadium is usually configured for soccer, with strong supporter sections and a high-energy atmosphere.

Getting to the Stadium

From around the Atlanta area, typical ways to get to an Atlanta United home game include:

• MARTA Rail:

  • Closest stations: GWCC/CNN Center and Vine City on the Blue/Green Lines
  • Many fans use MARTA to avoid downtown traffic and game-day parking costs

• Driving:

  • Multiple parking decks and surface lots around the stadium
  • Game-day parking is usually pre-purchase or app-based through major parking services

• Rideshare and Drop-Off:

  • Designated pick-up and drop-off locations near the stadium
  • Helpful if you’re coming from suburbs like Sandy Springs, Decatur, or Smyrna

For visitors, staying downtown or in Midtown makes it especially easy to get to and from Atlanta United matches without needing a car.

Atlanta United’s Place in MLS

Atlanta United is part of Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference. The team plays:

• A regular season typically from late February or early March through October
• Potential playoff matches in late fall if they qualify

Opponents visiting Atlanta can include teams like:

• Orlando City SC
• Inter Miami CF
• Nashville SC
• New York City FC
• Charlotte FC

Fans in Atlanta enjoy frequent matchups with regional rivals, making certain games feel more intense and community-focused.

Key Things to Know About the Team

Nickname, Colors, and Identity

• Nickname: Atlanta United, The Five Stripes
• Colors: Black, red, and gold
• Supporters’ Culture:
  • Chants, flags, and tifo (large banners) are common
  • Supporters’ sections stand and sing for most of the match

If you’re new to soccer, don’t worry—many Atlantans discovered the sport through Atlanta United, and the environment is welcoming to first-time fans.

How to Watch Atlanta United Games

Whether you want to go in person or watch from a local bar or your couch, there are several common options.

Attending a Match in Person

For people in or visiting Atlanta, attending a live match is one of the best experiences:

• Tickets:

  • Typically sold as single-game tickets, season tickets, and partial plans
  • Available through the team’s official ticketing channels and stadium box office

• Matchday Tips for Locals and Visitors:

  • 🚇 Use MARTA if you’re near a rail line to avoid traffic and parking headaches
  • ⏰ Arrive at least 45–60 minutes early for security, finding your seat, and soaking in pre-match atmosphere
  • 🎒 Check bag policies and stadium rules before you go

Watching From Atlanta Sports Bars and Restaurants

Many bars and restaurants around Atlanta show Atlanta United games, especially when the team is playing a big opponent or in the playoffs. Common areas where you might find match watch parties include:

• Midtown
• Inman Park / Old Fourth Ward
• West Midtown
• Buckhead

Neighborhood pubs, soccer-focused bars, and spots with large TV setups often lean into Atlanta United on matchdays, with many fans wearing jerseys and scarves.

Watching at Home

MLS has central broadcasting and streaming agreements. If you live in Atlanta, you can typically watch Atlanta United games through:

• National or regional sports channels (depending on current broadcast deals)
• MLS streaming packages or subscriptions that carry league-wide games

Because broadcasting arrangements are updated over time, fans often check the team’s official match schedule for the latest TV and streaming details.

Atlanta United Supporters’ Groups in Atlanta

A big part of Atlanta United’s atmosphere comes from organized supporters’ groups, which help create chants, travel to away games, and host community events.

Common activities include:

• Pre-match tailgates before home games
• Marches to the stadium from nearby gathering spots
• Watch parties for away matches at local bars

If you live in Atlanta and want to get more involved, searching for local Atlanta United supporters’ groups is a straightforward way to connect with other fans, whether you’re in the city center or in suburbs like Marietta, Duluth, or East Point.

Atlanta United Training and Facilities

While games are played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, teams need training grounds. Atlanta United’s soccer operations include training facilities in the greater metro area, where:

• The first team trains regularly
• The academy and development programs operate
• Coaching staff and soccer operations personnel work

These facilities are usually not walk-up public attractions, but they are part of the broader soccer infrastructure that Atlanta United has brought into the region.

Youth, Academy, and Local Soccer Pathways

For young players in and around Atlanta who dream of playing professionally, Atlanta United’s academy and youth pathways are a key part of the local soccer ecosystem.

Common features of the Atlanta United Academy and youth setup include:

• Youth teams across age groups that train and compete against other academies
• A focus on developing local talent from metro Atlanta and throughout the Southeast
• Opportunities for standout players to move from the academy into:
  • Atlanta United 2 (the reserve team)
  • The senior MLS squad in some cases

Parents in Atlanta who have soccer-focused kids often look into:

• Local youth clubs that are Atlanta United partner programs
• Camps and clinics branded by the team, typically held at fields around the metro area

If you’re interested in youth participation, it’s common to:

1. Start with recreational or club soccer in your area (such as Decatur, Roswell, or Peachtree City).
2. Follow Atlanta United’s official youth and academy information for tryouts, camps, and program details.

Atlanta United 2: The Reserve Team

Atlanta United also operates Atlanta United 2, a professional reserve team that plays in a lower-division competition aligned with MLS development structures.

Atlanta United 2 serves to:

• Give younger and developing players professional minutes
• Provide a bridge between the academy and the first team
• Allow recovering or fringe first-team players to gain match fitness

Home matches for Atlanta United 2 have been held at different venues over time in the broader metro area. For fans:

• Tickets to Atlanta United 2 games are often more affordable and family-friendly
• Smaller venues can be a good way to see young prospects up close

Matchday Experience: What It’s Like for Fans in Atlanta

Attending an Atlanta United match in Atlanta feels different from many traditional American sports events:

Atmosphere

• Music, flags, and drums from supporters’ sections
• Coordinated chants that run throughout the match
• A fast-paced, continuous game with limited stoppages compared to some other sports

Food and Drink

Mercedes-Benz Stadium is known for:

• Fan-friendly concession pricing on certain food and drink items
• A variety of food options, often including local flavors and national favorites

For many Atlanta residents, grabbing a meal downtown or in nearby neighborhoods (Castleberry Hill, Centennial Park area, or Midtown) before or after the match is part of the experience.

Basic Atlanta United Season Overview

Here’s a general season rhythm for Atlanta United, helpful for planning if you live in or are visiting Atlanta:

Exact schedules change year to year, so fans in Atlanta usually check the club’s official calendar for the latest match dates and kickoff times.

Buying Atlanta United Merchandise in Atlanta

If you want to show your support around the city, there are several common ways to get Atlanta United gear:

• Stadium Shops:
  • Team stores inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium on matchdays
• Official Team Store Locations:
  • Branded retail locations (often in or near popular shopping areas) typically offering jerseys, scarves, hats, and more
• Local Sports Retailers:
  • Many general sports stores in the Atlanta area carry Atlanta United jerseys and apparel

Wearing a black-and-red Atlanta United jersey or scarf is now a familiar sight on MARTA, at parks, and around neighborhoods such as Grant Park, Kirkwood, and Brookhaven.

How Atlanta United Fits into Atlanta’s Sports Culture

Atlanta is home to several major professional teams (NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA), and Atlanta United has carved out its own strong identity within that landscape:

• Many longtime Atlantans who grew up with other sports have added Atlanta United to their regular viewing and attending habits.
• The team attracts a younger and highly diverse fan base, reflecting the international communities that live in the metro area.
• Major matchdays often feel like citywide events, especially for rivalry matches or important playoff games.

If you’re new to Atlanta, going to an Atlanta United match is a quick way to connect with the city’s energy and meet people from many backgrounds who all share a love for the team.

Practical Tips for First-Time Atlanta United Fans

If you’re planning to experience the Atlanta United team for the first time in Atlanta, here are some quick, practical pointers:

• Plan your transportation early
  • Decide between MARTA, driving, or rideshare before game day
• Check the match start time carefully
  • Evening matches can have different traffic patterns than afternoon games
• Dress for comfort and noise
  • The atmosphere can be loud and high-energy, especially in or near the supporters’ sections
• Consider a supporters’ section only if you want to stand and sing
  • These areas are great for highly engaged fans but may not be ideal for young kids or people who prefer a quieter experience
• For families:
  • Look for family-friendly sections and plan for food, restrooms, and breaks

Whether you’re a lifelong soccer fan or just curious, Atlanta United offers a distinctly Atlanta-style sports experience—fast-paced, diverse, and full of city pride.