Opening of The Home Depot Backyard highlights changes to game day experience

When the Atlanta Falcons begin their sophomore season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (MBS) on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, fans will notice a new addition to the guest experience with the opening of the brand new The Home Depot Backyard.

The 11 acres of multi-purpose greenspace, which officially opened Tuesday, sits on the site of the former Georgia Dome abutting MBS. On event days, The Home Depot Backyard transforms into a tailgating spot for avid fans to commune before and after games. The space also includes The Home Depot Pavilion, a sponsorship activation zone featuring a three-tier, dual-level, shaded deck.

On days that the stadium isn’t hosting events, the park will have regular programming focused on four key pillars: Health and wellness, arts and culture, communal, and service-oriented activations.

Local radio station Q100 had scheduled Q-Topia Fest at The Home Depot Backyard on Oct. 12, but the show, featuring The Chainsmokers, Charlie Puth, Marshmello, Sabrina Carpenter, Loote and Bryce Vine, has been moved to Verizon Amphitheater in Alpharetta.

The Home Depot Backyard will  also offer a variety of activities from daily fitness classes to one-of-a-kind events focused on uplifting the community and there’s also a playground (pictured above).

Parking at The Home Depot Backyard for Sunday’s game opens four-and-a-half hours before the 1 p.m. kickoff.

There’s approximately 400 spaces for game day parking at The Home Depot Backyard available for standard-sized cars, SUVs and trucks. RVs, trailers and buses cannot park here.

Also, be advised that charcoal grills are not allowed and that tailgating will be shut down 30 minutes after kickoff.

For a full list of tailgating rules at The Home Depot Backyard, click  here.

There are various parking and tailgating packages, to get the details, click here.

But if you’re going to pay onsite, cash will not be accepted, only debit and credit cards.

Football fans will also see a few changes inside the stadium as the Falcons announced additional cuts to already the lowest concession prices in professional sports and also announced an exclusively-brewed Mercedes-Benz Stadium craft beer.

The latest round of price cuts at MBS will be in effect for the first game on Sunday.

Avondale Estates brewery Wild Heaven Beer has concocted ATL Pale Ale, a Mercedes-Benz Stadium exclusive, debuting Sunday at the Falcons regular season home opener. This new brew will be featured at concession stands throughout the stadium at $5 for a 12-ounce draft and $7 for a 20-ounce draft.

For more information on game day activities including parking and ticketing information visit: https://mercedesbenzstadium.com/fan-experience/.