The biggest rival for the Atlanta Falcons are the New Orleans Saints. The rivalry has even garnered the nickname the “Southern Showdown” or “Dixie Championship” due to its importance among the fans. Currently, the Falcons lead the all-time series 49-43, but since Sean Payton and Drew Brees showed up on the scene, the Saints have dominated the series with 13 victories out of the last 17 matchups. These are by far the most intense games for fans to go to as the rivalry is the oldest and most established in the NFC South.
The Falcons and Panthers have been members of the same division since the Panthers inception in 1995, which has gone a long way in creating a fierce rivalry between these two Southeast based teams. You’ll find plenty of fans of both teams making the trip when these two NFC South rivals get together as they are only separated by a four-hour trip along I-85.
Falcons Tailgate Guide
Atmosphere
The tailgate atmosphere at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is fun and competitive with everyone coming out to show off their tailgating skills. Before the game, there are competitions between tailgaters for titles such as “Best Tailgater” and “Best Barbecue.” Tailgaters make sure to bring their best food and drinks to win these competitions and achieve bragging rights among their fellow tailgaters.
For those of you that aren’t interested in the competitive aspect of tailgating don’t worry walking around and enjoying the tailgate parties and freshly cooked barbecue is also an option. After you grab some food, join some other tailgaters for a game of washers or cornhole to pass the time until the game starts.
With Atlanta being in the south, barbecue is a staple among tailgaters outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. As a result, pork is one of the most abundant foods found at the tailgates here. However, you can still find a lot of tailgates offering a variety of other foods including burgers and dogs. Atlanta knows how to do food meaning no matter what’s on the menu you’ll leave the tailgate feeling full!
You’ll also find plenty to drink at the Falcons fans’ tailgates as well. Falcons fans love to drink but don’t mess around with intricate drinking games. You may catch a game of beer pong here and there, but the majority of tailgaters will be too busy enjoying their beer with their barbecue to have time to play any games. If you love barbecue, then you’ll love tailgating Falcons style where there is more than enough barbecue to go around for everyone.
Right outside of Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the College Football Hall of Fame. If you love football then during your visit to Atlanta make sure to stop by the College Football Hall of Fame to complete your football themed trip.
Before the game, Falcons fans line up at the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and walk to the Falcons Landing with their fellow fans, the Falcons Drumline, Hype Crew, and Freddie Falcon. The Falcon March does an excellent job of bringing Falcons fans together and pumps everyone up before they even enter the stadium creating an amazing game day atmosphere.
Ticketed fans will be able to enjoy a pre and post game village at Fan Plaza. Here you’ll be able to enjoy food and beverages as well as entertainment, so stop by Fan Village before heading into the stadium.
Falcons Landing is the place to be before the game. It opens three hours before the game and is free of charge. Those of you bringing the whole family to the game will have a great time at Falcons Landing before the game where kids can enjoy a variety of activities and even meet Freddie Falcon.
Yellow LotThe Yellow Lot is located just north of the Mercedes Benz-Stadium right off of Northside Drive and is the ideal tailgating destination for those of you looking to set up a giant tailgate party. The lot holds about 1,300 vehicles and is home to the biggest tailgates before each home game. With such a huge parking space, spots are usually relatively easy to find so arriving early is not as necessary as with some other lots.
"The Gulch"If you plan on having a smaller tailgate, The Gulch may be the lot for you. Located just southeast of the Mercedes Benz-Stadium, this lot consists of many smaller tailgates which make it easier for fans to roam around and visit other tailgates. Many radio and news stations come to The Gulch to perform interviews and take pictures, so if you are looking for your 2 minutes of fame, you may want to tailgate here.
Falcons LandingFalcons Landing is the place to be before the game. It opens three hours before the game and is free of charge. Those of you bringing the whole family to the game will have a great time at Falcons Landing before the game where kids can enjoy a variety of activities and even meet Freddie Falcon.
Falcons Stadium Guide
In Game
The state-of-the art-Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the brand new home of the Atlanta Falcons. The gorgeous venue features a slew of amenities, including the largest video board in professional sports, and is a must-see for any NFL fan and is worth the trip to Atlanta all by itself.
If the new stadium isn’t enough of a reason to get you excited about seeing a Falcons game, then the incredible fan support will. Despite being a somewhat inconsistent team over the years, Atlantans still love their Falcons. All throughout the game, you’ll hear fans cheering when the Falcons make a big play. You’ll also see fans adorned in Falcons red and black everywhere you look on game day, so make sure to break out your own red and black to fit right in with the rest of the crowd.
The breathtaking new stadium and loyal Falcons fans make attending a Falcons game a great time for any diehard NFL fan. Don’t hesitate and book your trip now to see the Falcons open their new home this season.
When attending a Falcons game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, you’ll be able to see replays on a one of a kind video board you won’t find anywhere else. The 63,000 sq ft video board is the largest in professional sports and a must-see for anyone attending a Falcons game, although we doubt you’ll miss it.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is home to the most affordable concessions in professional sports. You can get nachos, waffle fries, or pizza for as low as $3 meaning there is no reason not for you to grab a bite to eat at a Falcons game.
Stop by the Falcons team store and pick-up a souvenir from your trip to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The team store has any Falcons gear you could want meaning you won’t leave empty-handed.
If you want to keep up with your fantasy team while attending a Falcons game, then make sure to visit the fantasy football lounge. Here you’ll be able to keep track of all the action going on around the league, so make sure to stop in.
Freddie Falcon has been inspiring fans to get up and cheer for the Falcons for over 35 years and is a staple of any Falcons game day. His antics are sure to put a smile on your face, so look out for Freddie when attending your next Falcons game.
The Falcons cheer squad is made up of 40 members and does an outstanding job of entertaining the crowd and keeping them involved in the game. The Falcons cheerleaders put on some great routines that will get you out of your seat and cheering hard for the team.
Whether you have a school group out on a field trip, or taking a tour group to see the Braves, The Varsity is the fun, fast, and delicious place to stop.
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