Mercedes-Benz Stadium opening: Celebrate “Football Fun Day” downtown

August 22,2017

Source: Jill Vejnoska, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Are you ready for some football?

Over the past few years, downtown Atlanta’s “premiere entertainment district,” as the area anchored by Centennial Olympic Park bills itself, has become home to major attractions ranging from the College Football Hall of Fame and Skyview Atlanta ferris wheel to streetcar stops and numerous popular restaurants. And now it wants to say “Howdy, neighbor” to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

With the stunning new home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United within easy walking distance, the Centennial Park District is hosting a “Football Fun Day” on Saturday, August 26.

That’s opening day at the stadium, as the hometown hero Falcons take on the Arizona Cardinals in a pre-season game at 7 p.m. But things kick off long before that downtown, highlighted by a free festival outside the College Football Hall of Fame.

Running from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Football Fest 2017 will get you in the mood with music from local marching bands, mascot photos, interactive booths and more.

Want to watch all the pregame goings on or chew things over after the final whistle blows? You can check out the district’s web site for a complete listing of options ranging from dozens of hotels and restaurants to sports bar STATS with its 70 high definition TV’s.