The Georgia World Congress Center Authority and Atlanta Falcons worked toward an agreement for a new retractable roof stadium to be built on the Georgia World Congress Center campus. Scheduled to open for the 2017 NFL season, the new stadium will serve as the home of the Atlanta Falcons in addition to other sports, convention and entertainment events currently held at the Georgia Dome and other new marquee events that could be hosted in the future.
Since their first season in 1966, the Atlanta Falcons have called Downtown Atlanta home. After spending their first 26 seasons at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, the Falcons moved to the Georgia Dome in 1992. The Falcons’ lease at the Georgia Dome expires in 2020 or when the bonds that financed the Dome’s construction are paid off. This is estimated to occur in 2017. By this time, the Dome will be 25 years old, which is about the average age of retirement of other NFL domed stadiums.
The Authority and Falcons have created a long-term solution for the region, state and Falcons by agreeing to a new stadium on the Georgia World Congress Center campus. The new facility will allow the Falcons to provide a league-competitive game day experience for fans and ensure the city and state are able to retain major events currently held at the Georgia Dome as well as attract new marquee events to the region.