Atlanta United

The standout feature of Mercedez-Benz Stadium is undoubtedly the breathtaking exterior design, which features metal and glass shapes that tesselate to create a jagged shell that is a sight to behold.

The individual pieces of the ‘shell’ create a satisfying contrast with each other, and those lucky enough to attend a night match at the ground will be able to see a cool effect when soft light penetrates that fierce outer layer.

However, Mercedez-Benz Stadium’s design is much more than mere flashiness: the triangles are mechanically operated to form a retractable roof that enables the venue to serve as an all-weather arena, and for an extra level of spectacle, the architecture opening and closing is designed to resemble the shutter of a camera.

Fans heading to the ground should also check out the extravagant translucent, tunnel-shaped pedestrian bridge that connects the car parks to the stadium. Costing $33m to build, the bridge’s severely inflated budget was a point of controversy, but there is no denying that the way it wraps around and lights up is eye-catching.

Likewise, the giant falcon – a nod to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons – is a presence that is difficult to miss.

The Interior 

The seating at Mercedez-Benz Stadium wraps around the pitch in an almost circular shape, and draws your attention to the screens that run near the roof. These make a nice change from the traditional flat screens that European fans are accustomed to.

In terms of the stands, one section is single-tiered and backed up by a glass feature that allows plenty of natural light to flow into the ground, while the rest are three-tiered with a steep gradient that puts the pitch at the bottom of a cauldron of noise.

More than 10% of the stadium’s 71,000 capacity is considered premium, and is fitted with club seats and VIP suites.

The main thing to note for away fans visiting the Mercedes-Benz Stadium is that you’ll be warmly received by the Atlanta fans whilst you’ll be able to enjoy everything we’ve touched on already both in and outside of the stadium. The all round atmosphere is positive whilst every seat in the house offers strong views of the action.

When it comes to food and drink, the Mercedes-Benz stadium is regarded as one of the best in the United States for their depth of concessions. Not only do they offer a tremendous range of food and drink with everything from snacks, vegan options, American, Italian, Mexican and more on offer they do so with partnerships with some of the world’s biggest brands. Finally, you have the huge perks of their seriously affordable pricing and the fact you can pre-order on your mobile to ensure you can keep your eyes firmly on the action from the pitch.

Of course, eating and drinking in the stadium isn’t for everyone. A lot of the time, when you find a stadium with such a strong concession offering it can mean the external options are lacking. That’s not the case with the Mercedes-Benz stadium. If you’re looking for something family friendly and nearby the Restaurant 10, which offers burgers and ribs, is located on Northside Drive and is just a five minute walk.

If you’re after more choice then we suggest taking a stroll down Centennial Olympic Park Drive North West. If you spend 10 to 20 minutes walking down here you’ll pass an abundance of different places for your pre-game fill. You’ve got the likes of Elliott Street Pub for a drink, No Mas! Cantina offering Mexican, The Spinning Pie who specialise in Italian and Dat Fire Jerk Chicken, which is a Jamaican restaurant or, even if you’re really pushing the boat out then you can even opt for fine dining at the Fellaship. All of the eateries are within walking distance of the stadium and are either on or directly off Centennial Olympic Park Drive.

Please note that during the FIFA World Cup 2026, Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be officially referred to as Atlanta Stadium due to FIFA’s corporate sponsorship regulations, which prohibit venue naming rights during the tournament. Workers have already covered branding and signage around the ground, though the large Mercedes-Benz logo on the roof will remain visible, as the roof will be closed for all matches.

Atlanta is one of the busiest host cities in the tournament, hosting a total of eight matches, including five group-stage games, a Round of 32, a Round of 16, and one of the semi-finals.

Group Stage

• Spain vs Cape Verde: Monday, 15 June – Group H
• Czechia vs South Africa: Thursday, 18 June – Group A
• Spain vs Saudi Arabia: Sunday, 21 June – Group H
• Morocco vs Haiti: Wednesday, 24 June – Group C
• Congo DR vs Uzbekistan: Saturday, 27 June – Group K

Knockout Rounds

• Wednesday, 1 July – Round of 32 (England v DR Congo)
• Tuesday, 7 July – Round of 16 (Argentina/Cape Verde vs. Australia/Egypt)
• Wednesday, 15 July – Semi-final (Winner match 99 v Winner match 100)

If you’re after easy access to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium then your best bet is jumping on the MARTA; this will drop you slap bang outside the stadium if you opt for the GWCC station whilst Vine City is also within easy reach.

If, however, you’re someone that wants to drive to the stadium then you can depart for your journey safe in the knowledge that there is a ridiculous amount of car parking around the stadium.

If you find parking in the immediate vicinity of the Mercedes-Benz stadium is flooded then you’ll still have the likes of Mitchell Street across Northside Drive, which means you should never encounter issues.

Given everything you’ve read about the stadium and surrounding area, it’s highly plausible you’ll be wanting to spend more than just a few hours close to the Mercedes-Benz stadium.

If so, you’ll be pleased to know there are options for every budget. Your nearest hotel is the 4-star Reverb by Hard Rock. It’s a literal stone’s throw from the stadium and at $220 a night it’s not outrageously expensive.

If you’re wanting to go for a more modest budget then the Barclay Hotelon Luckie Street is still under 1 mile from the stadium. With per-night prices at less than $100 it’s likely as cheap as you’ll get. The fact it’s a 3-star hotel means it’s far from being a dive too.

Equally, if you want to step in the other direction, the luxury 5-star Ritz Carlton is a 17 minute walk from the ground. It will set you back over $320 per night though.

Orlando City

The below link will take you to the team website.

Schedule | Atlanta United FC (atlutd.com)