Honestly, if you were in Atlanta during the summer of 2017, the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. People weren't just talking about football. They were talking about a roof. Or, more specifically, a roof that wouldn't close. The Mercedes-Benz Stadium opening wasn't just a ribbon-cutting; it was a high-stakes saga of engineering ambition meeting the cold, hard reality of construction delays.
When the Georgia Dome—the Falcons' previous home—was slated for the wrecking ball, the city was promised a spaceship. Arthur Blank, the billionaire owner of the Falcons and Atlanta United, didn't want a "cookie-cutter" stadium. He wanted an icon. What he got was a $1.6 billion marvel that pushed the boundaries of what a building is even supposed to do. But getting those doors open? That was a journey.
The July Date That Didn't Happen
Originally, the plan was for Atlanta United to kick things off on July 30, 2017. Fans were hyped. Soccer in a brand-new, world-class facility? Sign us up. But as the date crept closer, it became clear the "aperture" roof—that famous eight-petal design inspired by the Roman Pantheon—wasn't playing nice.
Steel is heavy. Moving steel is harder.
Because of complexities with the retractable roof's automation, the opening was pushed back. Then it was pushed back again. Atlanta United ended up playing a chunk of their inaugural season at Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium. It wasn't the end of the world, but it definitely felt like a "will they, won't they" rom-com, only with more concrete and hard hats.
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Finally, the doors actually swung open on August 26, 2017. It wasn't a regular-season game. It was a preseason matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Matt Ryan took the first snap at 7:14 p.m., and just like that, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium opening was officially in the history books.
The Roof Drama Nobody Tells You
Everyone talks about how the roof looks like a camera shutter. It’s cool. It’s unique. But on opening night, it stayed shut.
In fact, the first time the roof actually opened for a game wasn't until September 17, 2017, when the Falcons played the Green Bay Packers. Even then, the "eight-minute open" wasn't quite fully automated yet. Engineers were basically babysitting the mechanism to make sure those 1,600-ton petals didn't get stuck halfway.
Why the $2 Hot Dogs Actually Changed Everything
You might think a billion-dollar stadium is all about luxury suites and expensive champagne. You'd be wrong. The most revolutionary thing about the Mercedes-Benz Stadium opening was the "Fan First" pricing.
Before this, stadium food was a notorious rip-off. You've been there. $12 for a lukewarm hot dog? No thanks.
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MBS changed the game:
- $2 Hot Dogs
- $2 Bottomless Sodas (yes, really)
- $3 Pizza Slices
- $5 Draft Beers
It sounds like a small detail, but it shifted the entire industry. They sold more food by charging less. Other venues watched, realized the fans actually liked not being exploited, and started following suit. It was a business masterstroke hidden inside a concession stand.
More Than Just a Football Field
We have to talk about the "Halo Board." If you haven't seen it in person, pictures don't do it justice. It’s a 360-degree LED screen that sits right below the roof. It is 58 feet tall and over 1,100 feet long. It’s basically a massive digital ribbon that makes sure there isn't a bad seat in the house.
And then there's the sustainability side. This place is a beast when it comes to being green. It was the first professional sports stadium in North America to hit LEED Platinum certification.
How?
- Rainwater Harvesting: They have a 680,000-gallon cistern. It captures water to prevent flooding in the local Westside neighborhood and uses it to water trees.
- Solar Power: 4,000 solar panels are scattered around the site. They generate enough juice to power roughly nine Falcons games a year.
- Zero Waste: They actually sort through the trash to make sure almost nothing ends up in a landfill.
The Massive Bird in the Plaza
You can't mention the opening without the statue. In front of the stadium sits a 41-foot-tall stainless steel falcon. It’s the largest freestanding bird sculpture in the world. It weighs 73,000 pounds. It’s the kind of thing that makes you stop and stare, which is exactly what the architects intended. They wanted a "Window to the City," a 16-story wall of glass that lets you see the Atlanta skyline while you’re watching the game.
The Long-Term Impact
Since that shaky opening in 2017, the stadium has hosted basically everything. Super Bowl LIII? Check. The 2018 MLS Cup (which Atlanta United won in front of a record crowd)? Check. Massive concerts from Beyoncé to Garth Brooks? Check.
It also served as a mass vaccination site during the pandemic and a voting center. It’s become a literal anchor for downtown Atlanta. While the construction delays were a headache at the time, nobody really remembers the missed July deadline anymore. They remember the atmosphere.
Practical Insights for Your Next Visit
If you're heading to MBS for the first time, keep these things in mind. It'll save you a headache.
- Go Cashless: The stadium is 100% cashless. Bring your cards or use a "cash-to-card" kiosk inside.
- The Chick-fil-A Rule: Yes, there is a Chick-fil-A inside. No, it is not open on Sundays. This is the ultimate Atlanta irony. If you're there for a Falcons game, you're out of luck. Go for a Saturday Atlanta United match or a concert instead.
- Arrive Early for the Halo: The pre-game shows on the Halo Board are worth the price of admission alone. Don't be the person walking in during the second quarter.
- Public Transit is King: Parking in downtown Atlanta is a nightmare and expensive. The stadium has two MARTA stations (Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center and Vine City) right there. Use them.
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium opening was a messy, ambitious, and ultimately successful transition into a new era of sports architecture. It proved that you can build something beautiful that still respects the fans' wallets—even if the roof takes a few tries to get right.
To get the most out of the experience, check the official stadium app before you go. It has real-time updates on gate wait times and mobile ordering for those $2 hot dogs, so you spend more time watching the game and less time standing in line.