Sports · Atlanta
Falcons host Chiefs Sunday: Parking, MARTA and a freezing start for tailgaters
Quick Read
- When: Kickoff at 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 15, on CBS. Lots open at 8:30 a.m. and gates at 11:30 a.m.
- Parking: Buy a pass ahead of time. The team says most lots do not take on-site purchases.
- MARTA: $2.50 each way. Use SEC District Station, or Vine City for a quicker exit. No rail schedule changes are posted for Sunday.
- Bags: Clear bags up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches, or a small clutch, under the NFL policy.
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The Atlanta Falcons (3-6) host the Kansas City Chiefs (6-2) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, with kickoff at 1 p.m. Eastern time on CBS. The roof will be closed, according to the team.
Game-day timeline
Parking lots and tailgating open at 8:30 a.m., according to the Falcons and the stadium. The Home Depot Backyard, just north of the stadium, opens at 8:30 a.m. with a beer garden, music and appearances by the Falcons Cheerleaders and Freddie Falcon. Gates and the box office open at 11:30 a.m., and the pregame show starts at 12:40 p.m.
The Dirty Birds Nest Tailgate at 127 Northside Drive NW starts at 9:30 a.m., with a march to Gate 1 at about 11:45 a.m. The team's theme for Sunday is camo.
Dress for a freezing start
A National Weather Service freeze warning covers metro Atlanta from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Sunday, with lows near freezing downtown and colder in the suburbs. Sunday turns mostly sunny with a high near 57, so early tailgaters should plan on layers, gloves and hand warmers. Read our metro Atlanta freeze warning guide for more.
Parking and MARTA
Buy parking before you go. The Falcons say most lots do not accept on-site purchases, and the stadium says parking often sells out before events. Passes are sold through the Mercedes-Benz Stadium parking site.
MARTA costs $2.50 each way. The stadium recommends SEC District Station, formerly GWCC/CNN Center, which sits at the stadium's front door. Vine City Station on the Blue and Green lines is the other nearby stop. Ride Red or Gold to Five Points and transfer to Blue or Green. MARTA's special schedule page shows no rail schedule changes for Sunday, with trains every 15 to 20 minutes, but it lists the Green Line running only until 9 p.m.
Rideshare pickup is at GWCC Bus Lane C on Northside Drive for fans leaving from Gate 1, and on Broad Street between Trinity and Mitchell streets for fans leaving Gates 2 through 4. For Falcons games, the stadium also lists a Fetii rideshare shuttle from the Atlantic Station parking garage.
Driving from the west side
GDOT's full closure of a stretch of I-285 on the west side runs until 5 a.m. Monday, and the Falcons are warning fans who drive from that area to plan ahead. See our I-285 west side closure guide for detours.
Bags and tickets
Mercedes-Benz Stadium enforces the NFL clear bag policy. Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and no bigger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, or a one-gallon clear freezer bag. A small clutch up to 4.5 by 6.5 inches is also allowed. A stadium-approved clear bag avoids a trip back to the car. Tickets are mobile only, and the team suggests adding them to your phone's digital wallet before you arrive.
Sources
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