Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Mercedes Benz Stadium

Capture from a time-lapse video of Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by Atlanta Falcons on Wikimedia

Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Mercedes Benz Stadium

Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium that is located in Atlanta, Georgia, the United States. The Stadium was a brilliant plan for replacing the Georgia Dome.

It was opened in August 2017 and serves as the home stadium of the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League and Atlanta United football club of Major League Soccer. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is owned by the state government of Georgia through the Georgia World Congress Centre Authority.

It is operated by AMB Group, the parent organisation of the Falcons and Atlanta United. The Mercedes-Benz Stadium was officially opened on 26th August 2017.

The Falcons’ preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals was the official opening game for the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium. At this time, the retractable roof system was incomplete.

One of the major roles of the stadium is to hold several events which were formerly being held at the Georgia Dome after it was completed. In 2018, the stadium hosted the College Football Playoff National Championships and the MLS Cup.

By June 2016, the total cost of the construction of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium was estimated to be US$1.6 billion. Here are the Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Mercedes Benz Stadium:

1. The Stadium was a Replacement for the Georgia Dome

Mercedes-Benz Stadium was built for two major purposes. In May 2010, the Atlanta Falcons considered replacing the Georgia Dome with another stadium.

They aimed to construct an open-air stadium. However, the Georgia Dome was planned to continue hosting non-NFL events.

The Atlanta Falcons were pursuing a new stadium as the team had a desire to play outdoors. The Falcons team owner, Arthur Blank also had an interest in hosting another Super Bowl.

2. Falcon’s Conceptual Design was for a Huge Capacity of Fans

2019 Peach Bowl LSU vs OU Mercedes-Benz Stadium warm-ups. Photo by Spatms on Wikimedia

As the planning of the new stadium went on, there were several demands on how they wanted the stadium to be. The Atlanta Falcons wanted a better stadium that could carry a very large capacity of fans.

On 18th June 2013, the Falcons unveiled a conceptual design of the new stadium with a proposed capacity of seventy thousand spectators, seven thousand five hundred club seats and one hundred and eighty luxury suites. This design makes it one of the greatest holding capacity stadiums in the United States.

3. The Stadium’s Opening Date was Delayed Thrice because of the Roof

It took a couple of years to complete the construction of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The project was a huge one that was embraced by the team and the community as a whole.

However, the stadium’s projected opening dates were delayed three times. These delays were brought about by the complexity of the eight-panel retractable roof.

It was originally intended to be opened on 1st March 2017, but the date was postponed to 1st June 2019 and later to 26th August 2017. The CEO of the Atlanta Falcons’ parent company AMB Group, Steve Cannon talked about these delays but gave hope on the opening.

4. Mercedes-Benz Stadium has a Retractable Roof

Animation showing the opening of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium roof. Photo by Atlanta Falcons on Wikimedia

This stadium is a special one and unique across the world. Mercedes-Benz Stadium has a retractable roof which faced major issues since the completion of the construction.

The retractable roof has always been one of the major features and design points of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. In the first year of operation, the retractable roof faced some major issues including leakages. The first year after completing the stadium, the roof was only opened twice because it was not fully mechanised.

More work was put on the roof which was completed on 14th July 2018. On 25th July 2018, the roof was opened and closed for the first time and has since been fully automated and opened well.

5. The Total Cost of Constructing the Stadium was US$1.2 Billion

In February 2011, Kansas City-based architectural firm Populous released a financial plan for the new stadium. The early cost was estimated to be around US$700 million.

However, as years went by, the construction cost of the stadium went up and past the one billion United States dollar mark. By December 2014, the Georgia World Congress Centre board of governors approved the cost of the stadium to US$1.2 billion. After the stadium, this amount was used to construct Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

6. A $33 Million Pedestrian Bridge was Built at the Stadium

The Mercedes-Benz Stadium Pedestrian Bridge. Photo by Droidman1231 on Wikimedia

Mercedes-Benz Stadium is among the most frequented stadiums across the world because of its unique features. To reduce the time for movement into and outside the stadium, a pedestrian bridge was built.

The bridge features a serpentine-like structure on both ends. It connects game day parking lots and the Vine City MARTA Station. The bridge also allows pedestrians to avoid crossing the busy 6-lane Northside Drive.

By January 2019, the total cost of building the pedestrian bridge was US$33 million. However, this was criticised because previously it was budgeted to cost US$13 million.

7. The Playing Turf is Replaced Approximately after Two Years

Previously, the turf of Mercedes-Benz Stadium was artificial. On 7th February 2019, the stadium officials stated that the artificial turfs would be replaced.

The replacement of the artificial turf was part of the nearly $2 million 8n capital improvements of the stadium. And it was proposed that the turf should be replaced after every two years.

8. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is set to be Among the Stadiums to Host a World Cup Match

View of Mercedes-Benz Stadium from Centennial Olympic Park Drive. Photo by Gatorfan252525 on Wikimedia

The popular Mercedes-Ben Stadium has always held several top events and matches since it was officially opened. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is set to host one of the most watched football matches in four years.

It is set to host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This makes it one of the eleven American venues as well as one of five MLS venues to host matches.

9. The Stadium is Expandable per the Events

Mercedes-Benz Stadium holds several events every year. American football, concerts and soccer are among the major events to be held at the stadium.

The capacity of Mercedes-Benz Stadium is extremely huge. This capacity is also expandable depending on the events being held.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium can expand from 71,000 to 75,000 during American football. During soccer matches, the stadium can expand to at least 73,019 a standing rooms.

10. Mercedes-Benz Stadium Had Record Attendance for American Football and Soccer

2019 Peach Bowl LSU vs OU Mercedes-Benz Stadium postgame celebration. Photo by Spatms on Wikimedia

The Stadium has hosted several games since it was officially opened. American football and soccer are the major events conducted in the stadium.

On 28th December 2019, the 2019 Peach Bowl American football match held a record attendance of 78,347. On 8th December 2018, a record 73,019 attendance was recorded during a soccer match.