Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium
The original shared home where the Falcons launched their NFL journey alongside the Braves for 26 years.
Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium served as the original home for the Atlanta Falcons from their inception in 1966 until 1991. Built to attract a Major League Baseball team, the venue successfully secured the Milwaukee Braves' relocation that same year, creating a unique dual-sport era alongside the new NFL expansion franchise. For 25 seasons, the Falcons shared this 47-acre plot in the Washington–Rawson neighborhood with their baseball counterparts. The stadium hosted the team until they moved to the newly completed Georgia Dome in 1992, ending an era of shared facilities that defined early Atlanta sports history.
- Opened
- 1965 (Exhibition game) / 1966 (Regular season)
- Falcons Tenure
- 1966–1991
- Location
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Capacity (Football)
- 60,606
- Status
- Demolished (August 2, 1997)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The stadium's history began with a promise from Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. during his 1961 mayoral campaign to build a facility that would bring Major League Baseball to Atlanta. After selecting a site in the Washington–Rawson neighborhood, Allen and sports editor Furman Bisher initially tried to move the Kansas City Athletics before securing the Milwaukee Braves. Construction began on April 15, 1964, with forty-seven dignitaries at the groundbreaking. By November of that year, the Braves signed a 25-year agreement. The stadium opened in 1965 for an exhibition game between the Milwaukee Braves and Detroit Tigers, followed by the final season of the Atlanta Crackers baseball team. On August 18, 1965, the Beatles performed a concert at the venue before the Falcons and Braves officially began using it as their shared home in 1966. The name changed to Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium on February 11, 1975, after Fulton County threatened to withdraw financial support.
In Their Own Story
On April 4, 1997, the legacy of the stadium began its final chapter when home plate was removed and transported to Turner Field, where Hank Aaron installed it in the new facility. The inside of the structure was demolished between spring and summer of that year. On August 2, 1997, the stadium was imploded, with remains later cleared away. A parking lot now occupies the site, featuring an outline of the original stadium. The monument marking Hank Aaron's historic 715th home run landing point remains in its original location. The outfield fence from the old venue was donated to the Georgia State Baseball Complex and installed prior to the 1998 season, preserving a physical piece of the Falcons' early years.
Reader's Guide
Fans visiting Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium experienced a raw, open-air environment before the city moved to domed facilities. The stadium held 60,606 spectators for football games and 52,007 for baseball. Located in downtown Atlanta near major highways and the state capitol, it offered a central urban experience. The venue hosted the Falcons from their inaugural season through 1991, after which they moved to the Georgia Dome in 1992. While the Braves stayed until 1996, the Falcons departed five years earlier. The site later served as a parking lot for Center Parc Stadium before Georgia State University purchased the land in 2016 for new athletic facilities.
Did You Know?
- The Beatles performed a concert at the stadium on August 18, 1965, before it officially opened for regular sports.
- Forty-seven dignitaries participated in the groundbreaking ceremony on April 15, 1964.
- The name changed to Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium on February 11, 1975, due to a threat from Fulton County regarding financial support.
- Home plate was removed on April 4, 1997, and installed at Turner Field by Hank Aaron before demolition began.
- The stadium hosted the baseball competition for the 1996 Summer Olympics while the Braves were on a road trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium?
This facility was the first permanent home of the Atlanta Falcons, hosting the team from their inaugural 1966 season through 1991. It served as an open-air venue in Atlanta, Georgia, before the franchise eventually moved to a domed stadium.
What role did Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium play for the Falcons?
The stadium provided the foundational setting for the franchise's early years under the open sky, accommodating roughly 54,000 football fans. It hosted every home game for the team during its first quarter-century of existence before being replaced by modern facilities.
When did Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium stop hosting Falcons games?
The venue ceased to be the Falcons' home after concluding the 1991 season, marking the end of a 26-year tenure. The stadium itself was eventually demolished in 1997, removing the physical site where the team's legacy began.
Why is Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium important to Falcons history?
It stands as a monumental chapter in franchise lore because it witnessed the very first games played by the Birds in their inaugural season. This open-air location defined the early identity of the club before the era of domed stadiums took over professional football in Atlanta.
What was the capacity and status of Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium?
During its time as a football venue, the stadium held between 53,792 and 54,000 spectators. Although it opened in 1966 to great anticipation, the structure no longer exists today after being torn down in 1997.
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