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Like all other grass field venues hosting the World Cup in 2026, Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium will have turf installed for soccer matches to meet FIFA regulations. But the dream of a permanent move to a natural playing field may stop there.
The Falcons are one of 17 NFL teams to play on turf, much to the chagrin of the NFLPA, which has been forcing the construction of turf fields across the league. However, Falcons President Greg Beadles said the turf cannot be used because Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosts more than 50 events a year, including Falcons and Atlanta United games as well as the SEC Championship. Stated.
Beadles also pointed out that since Mercedes-Benz Stadium has a retractable roof and is often closed, a grass conversion would require a field with a tray that can slide into space adjacent to the venue. are doing. But the city and state are encouraging teams to build in downtown Atlanta, surrounding the stadium’s campus, meaning there is no room for a deployment field.
“We’re in a very small area of downtown, and that’s what the leadership of the city of Atlanta and the leadership of the state of Georgia want,” Beadles said. “We love being on the Georgia World Congress Center campus…but it’s a very small campus. So we don’t have the space to roll all over the field. It’s not a decision. … I can’t stand having grass.”
Further changes…eventually
But Beadles says the Falcons are making big changes. They plan to spend $200 million renovating Mercedes-Benz Stadium over the next few years, but work is being done intermittently and will not be fully completed until the summer of 2026. This venue hosts World Cup matches.
The planned work was not done because of needed cup upgrades and is not related to the 2028 or 2029 Super Bowl pitch, Beadles said. The ownership creates and renovates luxurious and premium seating areas.
- Approximately 200 suites were renovated and Wi-Fi and distributed antenna cell phone systems were updated.
- Renovation of the kitchen and conversion of some shops to automatic cash registers
- The restaurant has been transformed into a premium area “Chairman’s Lounge” with 154 seats.
- Upgrade your video board in the next few years
Due to the large number of events that take place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the renovation will be carried out in stages and will take several years to complete. The stadium opened in 2017 at an estimated cost of $1.6 billion.
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