Best Transportation Option
Recommendation: Use Train (MARTA Blue Line, MARTA Green Line, MARTA Red Line, MARTA Gold Line) for convenience and cost savings.
The Benz
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta, Georgia
71,000 capacity
Opened 2017
Atlanta Falcons & Atlanta United FC
Capacity
71,000
Year Opened
2017
Surface
FieldTurf
Roof Type
Retractable roof (8-panel)
At a Glance
- Location
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Capacity
- 71,000 seats
- Best Way to Get There
- Public transit available - See transportation section below
- Recommended Arrival Time
- 2-3 hours before kickoff
- Estimated Total Cost
- $86-$205 per person
- Accessibility
- Fully ADA compliant - 500 wheelchair spaces
Last Updated: by KickoffAdventures Editorial Team
Overview
Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosts 8 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches across Group Stage, Round of 32, Round of 16, Quarterfinals stages with a capacity of 71,000 spectators. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this retractable roof (8-panel) venue opened in 2017 as home to Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC. Retractable roof with 8 petals that open like camera aperture
The stadium is accessible via Train (MARTA Blue Line, MARTA Green Line, MARTA Red Line, MARTA Gold Line) for $2.5. Take MARTA: $2.50 round-trip vs $40-75 parking (save $37.50-72.50)...
Critical: Downtown Atlanta parking extremely limited and expensive - MARTA strongly recommended Public transit is strongly recommended for all World Cup matches.
Our Recommendations
Best Time to Arrive
For World Cup matches: Arrive 3 hours before kickoff. Gates typically open 2 hours early, but security screening can take 45+ minutes during major international events. Plan extra time for traffic and parking.
Budget Breakdown
| Expense | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Parking | $31-$45 |
| Food & Drinks | $30-$60 |
| Souvenirs (optional) | $25-$100 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $86-$205 |
Critical Warnings
- Downtown Atlanta parking extremely limited and expensive - MARTA strongly recommended
- I-75/85 connector near stadium is major bottleneck - severe traffic on event days
- Stadium does NOT have extensive parking like suburban venues - plan accordingly
- MARTA is faster than driving for most Atlanta metro residents and visitors
- Weekend MARTA trains run less frequently - allow extra time
- GWCC/CNN Center station extremely crowded post-game - consider using Vine City or waiting 20 minutes
Nearby Airports
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
10 miles from stadium
MARTA Red/Gold Line from Airport Station → GWCC/CNN Center or Vine City Station
Cost
$2.5
Time
25 min
Direct MARTA rail connection. Best and most affordable option. Trains every 10-15 minutes.
Train Stations
GWCC/CNN Center (Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center)
PRIMARY HUBMARTA Blue and Green Lines
Distance
0.1 mi
Cost
$5
Time
2 min
Frequency
Every 10-15 minutes, increased frequency on event days
Primary station for Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Covered pedestrian bridge directly to Gate 4. MARTA adds extra trains on game days.
Vine City
PRIMARY HUBMARTA Blue and Green Lines
Distance
0.2 mi
Cost
$5
Frequency
Every 10-15 minutes
Alternative primary station. Pedestrian bridge access to west side of stadium. Less crowded than GWCC/CNN Center post-game.
Five Points
All MARTA lines (Red, Gold, Blue, Green)
Distance
1 mi
Central MARTA hub. Transfer here from Red/Gold lines to Blue/Green for stadium. Can also walk to stadium.
Doraville (North Line terminus)
MARTA Gold Line
Popular park & ride from northern suburbs. Free parking, direct Gold Line to Five Points, transfer to Blue/Green to stadium.
North Springs
MARTA Red Line
Park & ride from Sandy Springs area. Free parking, direct Red Line to Five Points, transfer to Blue/Green.
Public Transportation
Train
MARTA rail system connects entire Atlanta metro area to stadium via GWCC/CNN Center and Vine City stations
Routes:
MARTA Blue LineMARTA Green LineMARTA Red LineMARTA Gold Line
5 min
$2.5
Bus
Various MARTA bus routes serve downtown Atlanta
Routes:
Multiple MARTA bus routes
$2.5
Streetcar
Connects downtown attractions, limited stadium access
Routes:
Atlanta Streetcar
$1
Driving Directions
From I-75/85: Exit 249C (Martin Luther King Jr Dr). Follow signs to stadium. Traffic very heavy on event days. MARTA recommended over driving.
Parking Options & Strategies
🅿️ Official Stadium Parking
Regular
$40
Event Day
$60
Opens
4 hours before kickoff
Exit Time
30 minutes to 90 minutes
💡 Pro Tip
MARTA is faster and cheaper than parking. Downtown Atlanta traffic severe on event days.
📍 MARTA Park & Ride - Recommended
Cost Range
$0
✨ Free parking, avoid downtown traffic, faster than driving
📍 Downtown Parking Decks
Cost Range
$30-75
📍 Georgia World Congress Center Parking
Cost
$40
Walk Time
8 min
Money-Saving Tips
- 💰Take MARTA: $2.50 round-trip vs $40-75 parking (save $37.50-72.50)
- 💰Park free at MARTA stations (Doraville, North Springs, Lindbergh) + $2.50 fare = total $2.50 vs $60+ downtown parking
- 💰MARTA increased ridership by 7.5% in 2025 after airport parking rate hikes - it's the popular choice
- 💰Stay near MARTA stations in suburbs (Decatur, Sandy Springs) for cheaper hotels + easy stadium access
- 💰Use Breeze Card (MARTA pass) - load multiple trips for convenience
- 💰Group of 4: Split $2.50 fare each vs $60 parking + $40 rideshare = save $80+ per group
Time-Saving Tips
- ⚡MARTA avoids all downtown Atlanta traffic - consistently faster than driving on event days
- ⚡Use Vine City station post-game for less crowded exit than GWCC/CNN Center
- ⚡Arrive 2 hours before kickoff - MARTA stations close to stadium get very crowded 60-90 min before
- ⚡Download MARTA app for real-time train tracking and trip planning
- ⚡Evening games: Stay downtown after and take MARTA later to avoid immediate post-game crowds
Budget Travel Strategies
Suburban MARTA Park & Ride
Stay in suburbs near MARTA stations (Decatur, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody), park free at station, take MARTA to game
Total Cost
$2.50 MARTA fare + $80-120 suburban hotel vs $200-350 downtown hotel
Savings
$100-250 per night on hotels, $35-70 on parking/transport
Time
30-45 minutes MARTA ride each way
Benefits:
- ✓Explore Atlanta neighborhoods (Virginia-Highland, Little Five Points, Buckhead)
- ✓Free parking at MARTA stations
- ✓Safer, quieter suburban areas
- ✓Easy access to Atlanta attractions via MARTA
- ✓Avoid downtown hotel surge pricing during World Cup
Best for: Budget travelers, families, anyone wanting to explore Atlanta beyond downtown
Important Warnings
- ⚠️Downtown Atlanta parking extremely limited and expensive - MARTA strongly recommended
- ⚠️I-75/85 connector near stadium is major bottleneck - severe traffic on event days
- ⚠️Stadium does NOT have extensive parking like suburban venues - plan accordingly
- ⚠️MARTA is faster than driving for most Atlanta metro residents and visitors
- ⚠️Weekend MARTA trains run less frequently - allow extra time
- ⚠️GWCC/CNN Center station extremely crowded post-game - consider using Vine City or waiting 20 minutes
Parking Information
Total Spaces
6,800
Average Cost
$45
per vehicle
Accessible Spaces
200
Reservations
✅ Available
Pro Tip: Book parking in advance during major events to guarantee a spot and save money.
Parking Options & Strategies
Official Stadium Parking
Cost
$40
Total Spaces
6,800
Opens
4 hours before kickoff
💡 Pro Tip: MARTA is faster and cheaper than parking. Downtown Atlanta traffic severe on event days.
Alternative Parking Options
MARTA Park & Ride - Recommended
$0Official stadium recommendation. Most fans use MARTA.
Downtown Parking Decks
$30-75Limited availability. Book via SpotHero or ParkWhiz. More expensive than MARTA.
Georgia World Congress Center Parking
$40Adjacent to stadium. Books up fast for major events.
Money-Saving Tips
- Take MARTA: $2.50 round-trip vs $40-75 parking (save $37.50-72.50)
- Park free at MARTA stations (Doraville, North Springs, Lindbergh) + $2.50 fare = total $2.50 vs $60+ downtown parking
- MARTA increased ridership by 7.5% in 2025 after airport parking rate hikes - it's the popular choice
- Stay near MARTA stations in suburbs (Decatur, Sandy Springs) for cheaper hotels + easy stadium access
- Use Breeze Card (MARTA pass) - load multiple trips for convenience
- Group of 4: Split $2.50 fare each vs $60 parking + $40 rideshare = save $80+ per group
Time-Saving Tips
- MARTA avoids all downtown Atlanta traffic - consistently faster than driving on event days
- Use Vine City station post-game for less crowded exit than GWCC/CNN Center
- Arrive 2 hours before kickoff - MARTA stations close to stadium get very crowded 60-90 min before
- Download MARTA app for real-time train tracking and trip planning
- Evening games: Stay downtown after and take MARTA later to avoid immediate post-game crowds
Budget Travel Strategies
Suburban MARTA Park & Ride
Stay in suburbs near MARTA stations (Decatur, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody), park free at station, take MARTA to game
Total Cost
$2.50 MARTA fare + $80-120 suburban hotel vs $200-350 downtown hotel
Savings
$100-250 per night on hotels, $35-70 on parking/transport
Time
30-45 minutes MARTA ride each way
✅ Benefits:
- • Explore Atlanta neighborhoods (Virginia-Highland, Little Five Points, Buckhead)
- • Free parking at MARTA stations
- • Safer, quieter suburban areas
- • Easy access to Atlanta attractions via MARTA
- • Avoid downtown hotel surge pricing during World Cup
⚠️ Considerations:
- • MARTA runs until midnight-1am - check schedule for late games
- • Trains less frequent late night (every 20 minutes vs 10-15 peak)
- • Must be comfortable using public transit
Amenities & Services
Food Vendors
Available
Bars
Available
Retail Shops
Available
WiFi
Available
Charging Stations
Available
Dietary Options
VegetarianVeganGluten-FreeHalal
Outside Food Policy
Outside food not permitted
Unique Features
- ✨Retractable roof with 8 petals that open like camera aperture
- ✨360-degree Halo video board - largest in sports
- ✨LEED Platinum certified - most sustainable NFL stadium
- ✨Fan First Menu Pricing - lowest concession costs in sports
- ✨Transparent roof material provides natural light when closed
- ✨Built on site of former Georgia Dome
Photo Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Stadium Information
2026 World Cup
Matches Scheduled
8
Stages
Group StageRound of 32Round of 16Quarterfinals
Expected Attendance
71,000
Stadium Tours
Cost
$25
per person
Duration
90 minutes
Tour Includes
- ✓Field access
- ✓Falcons locker room
- ✓Atlanta United locker room
- ✓Press box
- ✓Retractable roof observation
- ✓Halo Board experience
Nearby Hotels
Within 1 mile15
Within 5 miles65
Within 10 miles180