The Georgia Dome, an Atlanta landmark in the heart of downtown, held a special place in the city’s history, most notably as the beloved home of the Atlanta Falcons. For 25 vibrant years, from its opening in 1992 until its demolition, this versatile venue was more than just a stadium; it was a stage for a diverse array of events, from thrilling sporting competitions to unforgettable concerts, bustling trade shows, and significant religious gatherings.
Beyond Atlanta Falcons football games, the Georgia Dome’s prestigious resume boasted hosting the 1994 and 2000 Super Bowls, the Centennial Olympic Games in 1996, the NCAA Men’s Final Four basketball playoffs in 2002, and the NCAA Women’s Final Four in 2003. It also regularly hosted the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball tournaments, the high-stakes SEC football championship game, and the national USA Indoor Track and Field championships, cementing its status as a premier sporting destination.
The story of the Georgia Dome began in 1988 when Rankin Smith, the then-owner of the Atlanta Falcons who had been instrumental in bringing professional football to Atlanta and the Southeast, issued a crucial ultimatum. Faced with revenue limitations at the aging Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, shared with the Atlanta Braves baseball team, Smith threatened to relocate the Falcons to cities like Jacksonville, Florida, unless a modern, dedicated facility was constructed by the state of Georgia. For over two decades, the Falcons had to share Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium with the Atlanta Braves, with the baseball organization retaining the majority of parking and concession revenues during Falcons games. The Falcons played their final game at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in December 1991, setting the stage for a new era.
A pivotal agreement was reached in January 1989 between Smith and Georgia Governor Joe Frank Harris, paving the way for the Georgia Dome. The agreement outlined a 20-year lease for the state-owned facility. Groundbreaking commenced on November 22, 1989, marking the beginning of a significant construction project. After over two and a half years of development, the Georgia Dome was completed at a total cost of approximately $210 million, a testament to the collaborative effort between the Falcons and the state.
Financing for the Georgia Dome’s construction was secured through tax-exempt bonds issued by the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, the entity responsible for managing the facility along with the Georgia World Congress Center and Centennial Olympic Park. An additional funding source was a 2.75 percent hotel/motel tax levied within the city of Atlanta, demonstrating the city’s commitment to the project and its anticipated economic benefits.
Upon its inauguration in 1992, the Georgia Dome was celebrated as an engineering marvel, recognized as the world’s largest rigid cable-supported oval dome. This twenty-seven-story structure featured a distinctive ceiling crafted from Teflon-coated fiberglass, allowing natural light to permeate the interior. Adding to its architectural grandeur were five-story atriums located in each of the building’s four corners, providing spacious and welcoming entry points.
In 2002, Arthur Blank, cofounder of Home Depot, acquired the Atlanta Falcons from the Smith family. Looking to elevate Atlanta’s standing in the world of sports, Blank aimed to bring the Super Bowl back to the city in 2009 and initially proposed significant interior renovations to the Georgia Dome. However, in 2005, the National Football League owners ultimately awarded the 2009 Super Bowl to Tampa, Florida. Consequently, the extensive planned upgrades for the Georgia Dome were cancelled. Despite this setback, approximately $2 million was invested in 2005 to create the exclusive 250-member Owner’s Club on the dome’s lower level, enhancing the premium fan experience.
Blank’s ownership brought a renewed focus on fan accessibility. He notably reduced ticket prices for around 23,000 seats within the 71,250-capacity Georgia Dome, contributing to the team’s first sold-out season in over two decades. Furthermore, recognizing the importance of fan culture, Blank acquired land near the Georgia Dome to establish dedicated tailgating areas, fostering a vibrant pre-game atmosphere for Falcons supporters.
While lauded for its innovative design, the Georgia Dome encountered a structural challenge in August 1995. Heavy rainfall led to water accumulation on a section of the roof, causing the fabric to tear. Prompt repairs were undertaken, and structural adjustments were implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future, ensuring the long-term integrity of the dome.
Interestingly, despite its strong association with the Atlanta Falcons, the Georgia Dome hosted more basketball games than football games throughout its lifespan. Beyond numerous NCAA basketball tournaments, the Atlanta Hawks utilized the Georgia Dome as their home court for two seasons while their current venue, then known as Philips Arena (now State Farm Arena), was under construction. A record-breaking crowd for a National Basketball Association game, totaling 62,046 fans, filled the Georgia Dome on March 27, 1998, to witness Michael Jordan’s final game in Atlanta as a Chicago Bull against the Hawks. Jordan delivered a memorable performance, scoring 34 points in his team’s victory.
The period spanning late 2005 and early 2006 marked an exceptionally busy time for the Georgia Dome. On December 30, 2005, a crowd of 65,620 watched the Louisiana State University Tigers triumph over the Miami Hurricanes in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Two days later, 70,796 fans witnessed the Falcons’ season finale against the Carolina Panthers. And on January 2, 2006, an impressive 74,458 spectators were present as the West Virginia Mountaineers defeated the Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl, which had been relocated to Atlanta from New Orleans due to the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Beyond sports, the Georgia Dome resonated with music enthusiasts, hosting concerts by legendary artists such as the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, U2, the Backstreet Boys, and Alabama, as well as the VIBE Musicfest. Its versatility extended to accommodating major trade shows, including Amway conventions, professional wrestling events, and significant religious gatherings led by prominent figures like Billy Graham and Bishop T. D. Jakes.
However, the era of the Georgia Dome eventually drew to a close. In 2014, the Atlanta Falcons and the City of Atlanta embarked on a new chapter, initiating construction of the state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz Stadium, situated immediately south of the Georgia Dome site. This new stadium, a symbol of Atlanta’s continued growth and ambition, opened its doors in August 2017. With the arrival of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Georgia Dome, while still holding cherished memories, was deemed obsolete and was demolished in November 2017.
The final Atlanta Falcons game played in the Georgia Dome took place in January 2017. In a fitting farewell, the Falcons secured victory against the Green Bay Packers, winning the National Football Conference championship and earning a coveted spot in the Super Bowl. This triumphant moment served as a poignant closing chapter for the Georgia Dome, a venue that had significantly contributed to Atlanta’s sports and entertainment landscape for a quarter of a century, before making way for the modern marvel of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a new era for Atlanta sports and events.
