MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, US
Capacity: 72,000 seats (expandable to 75,000)
Tenants: Atlanta Falcons (NFL) and Atlanta United FC (MLS)
Opened: August 2017
Like a giant unfolding flower, the interlocking metallic petals of
Georgia’s iconic Mercedes-Benz Stadium can be seen from the heart
of downtown Atlanta. Its façade has been strategically aligned to give
visitors to the US$1.6bn venue an unimpeded window into the
stadium’s interior that is more than 16 stories high. Beneath its eightpiece
retractable roof – inspired by the oculus of Rome’s ancient
Pantheon – is some of the world’s most progressive technological
and sustainable innovations.
It features the world’s largest video display in professional sports
called the halo board, which is a 360º circular high definition LED
screen 59ft (18m) high and 1,110ft (335m) long. This is complemented
by an integrated digital canvas of uniquely-shaped displays containing
16 LED video boards that total 83,500ft² (7,760m²) of viewable surface
– more than any other sports venue in the world.
There are more than 1,800 wireless access points for Wi-Fi – the
most in the NFL by more than 500 – which enables a continuous and
unhindered connection throughout the venue. This is supported by
6,437km (4,000 miles) of fiber optic cable that is part of an elaborate
tech infrastructure that supports seamless running of equipment
above ground.
Beyond its technological advances, the stadium’s operator has also
been highly progressive in its food and beverage strategy, reducing
prices of the most popular food and beverage items by more than 50%
– making its offerings the lowest price per unit in all major
professional American sports stadia.
Perhaps its most impressive accomplishment is its sustainability.
Remarkably, it uses 29% less energy than a typical building of its size
and was the first professional sports stadium in North America to be
awarded LEED Platinum Certification from the United States Green
Building Council.
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