Mercedes Benz Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It is used mostly for American football and soccer matches, hosting the home games of the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL) and Atlanta United FC of Major League Soccer (MLS), its owners.
Opened on August 26, 2017, with a preseason football match between the Atlanta Falcons and the Arizona Cardinals, it replaced the Georgia Dome, which had 71,250 seats. The seating capacity of the new stadium is currently set at 71,000 but can expand up to 75,000 for a typical Super Bowl. The stadium was designed by HOK, a global design, architecture, engineering, and planning firm, and had a construction cost of $1.6 billion.
A category four stadium, Mercedes Benz Stadium has hosted several major sporting events, including the Super Bowl LIII in 2019, the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2018, and the MLS Cup in 2018. It was recognized as the 'Green Sports Alliance's 2018 Environmental Innovator of the Year'. By its third birthday, Mercedes Benz Stadium had welcomed more than 12 million spectators. The stadium is one of the potential venues for the future FIFA World Cup, if the United States were to host the tournament.
Though the official name is 'Mercedes Benz Stadium', locals and fans around the world commonly refer to it by its abbreviated name, The Benz. This modern marvel is situated in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, and serves as the home ground for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL) and Atlanta United FC of Major League Soccer (MLS). The colloquial name, The Benz, is derived from the stadium's prominent sponsor, the global automobile manufacturer, Mercedes Benz. It's a name that has quickly been adopted by the people of Atlanta, and is often used in conversation and media alike.
The Mercedes Benz Stadium stands out for its unique architectural design, featuring a retractable roof that is reminiscent of a camera aperture and a circular, 360-degree halo video board. The stadium, built on the former site of the Georgia Dome, was officially opened on August 26, 2017. With a seating capacity of over 71,000, which can be expanded to more than 75,000 for special events, it is one of the largest stadiums in the United States.
Designed with the fans in mind, The Benz offers a range of innovative features to enhance the spectator experience. This includes wide, comfortable seats, enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity, and a diverse selection of food and beverage options. The stadium is also known for its commitment to sustainability, holding the distinction of being the first professional sports stadium in the United States to achieve LEED Platinum Certification. This reflects a focus on energy efficiency, water conservation, and use of sustainable materials during construction.
Apart from hosting football and soccer games, Mercedes Benz Stadium has also played host to a number of high-profile events since its inauguration. This includes Super Bowl LIII in 2019, the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2018, and the MLS All-Star Game in 2018. The state-of-the-art stadium has quickly become an iconic part of Atlanta's cityscape and a symbol of the city's vibrant sports culture.
Therefore, while 'Mercedes Benz Stadium' is the stadium's official address, it is more commonly known and referred to as 'The Benz'. This name, though unofficial, has been widely accepted and embraced by sports fans, the people of Atlanta, and the global sports community at large.
An appropriate location, with excellent accessibility and ample space for future development, was pinpointed in the heart of downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The new stadium, straddling the neighborhoods of Vine City and English Avenue, was hence initially referred to as the 'New Atlanta Stadium'.
The primary aim was for the stadium to be wholly owned by the club, although initially the land was leased from the city, with the final purchase not taking place until 2017. The plans for the sports complex were conceptualized as early as the late 2000s, under the guidance of Bill Johnson, a senior principal at HOK, an architectural firm.
Under the leadership of the club's president, Arthur Blank, the associates managed with an increased fee to support the construction costs of the new stadium, made large donations, and some even took time off their busy schedules to volunteer at the construction site during holidays or weekends. There was even a 'brick campaign', where supporters were encouraged to make contributions towards the procurement of construction materials.
Construction work officially started on May 19, 2014. Less than three years later, and at a cost of $1.6 billion, on August 26, 2017, a crowd capacity of 71,000 filled the stadium for the inaugural match against the Dallas Cowboys.
'Mercedes Benz Stadium (2017)' (in English). Atlanta Falcons: Information about the history and specifications of the Mercedes Benz Stadium https://www.atlantafalcons.com/mercedes-benz-stadium
'Mercedes Benz Stadium – since 2017'. StadiumDB.com: Detailed information about the Mercedes Benz Stadium since its inception http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/usa/mercedes_benz_stadium
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