Mercedes-Benz Stadium Tailgating
Atlanta Falcons · Atlanta, GA
The Falcons tailgate happens on grass rather than asphalt: The Home Depot Backyard, the park beside the stadium, is where tailgating is permitted, for event-day ticket holders. One 10 by 10 shade tent is allowed per parking space, and the tent rule is specific — it must be weighted, with absolutely no staking of any kind, and it has to come down before you go into the stadium. The clock is unusual too: tailgating has to end thirty minutes after the event starts rather than at kickoff. Food is for your own family and friends; selling any of it is prohibited. Tailgating is also allowed in designated areas of the stadium lots, and the venue pushes hard on reserving parking in advance.
Tips & Fan Reports
The real party is in the Home Depot Backyard before the game. To have a grill and tables you unfortunately need a parking pass there but it is worth it.
One tent per parking space, 10 by 10, and it comes down before you walk into the stadium — so plan who carries it back to the car.
The tailgate runs thirty minutes past the start of the event rather than stopping at kickoff — so there is no rush to be in your seat for the opening drive if the tailgate is the point.
Bring weights, not stakes. The no-staking rule is absolute and it is the one thing most likely to leave a tent unusable on the day.
Reserve parking ahead. The venue says outright that on-site payment exists but a space cannot be guaranteed at peak events.
Where to Tailgate
The Home Depot Backyard
The park immediately west of the stadium and the venue's designated tailgating ground, on grass rather than in a lot. Open to event-day ticket holders, one 10 by 10 shade tent per parking space, and everything ends thirty minutes after the event begins.
Known for Grass tailgating · Ticket holders only · One 10x10 tent per space
Designated areas of the stadium lots
Tailgating is also permitted in marked parts of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium parking lots. Reserving and paying in advance is the venue's own recommendation, since on-site payment is possible but a space is not guaranteed at peak events.
Known for Designated areas only · Book in advance
The no-staking rule
Any tent anywhere on this ground has to be weighted down to stop it moving, with absolutely no staking of any kind permitted into the grass or the lot surface. It is the constraint that decides what you can actually bring.
Known for Weights, never stakes · Applies everywhere
Rules to Know
What Mercedes-Benz Stadium allows, and what it does not.
- Tailgating in The Home Depot Backyard areas, where permitted, is intended for event day ticket holders only.
- Tailgating activities are required to end 30 minutes after the start time of the event.
- Fans may bring up to one 10' by 10' shade tent per parking space, for use on the grass areas and tailgate spaces within The Home Depot Backyard, weather permitting.
- All tents must be weighted down to prevent movement, with absolutely no staking of any kind permitted.
- Tents must be taken down before entering the stadium.
- Fans are limited to bringing and preparing food for their family and friends. The sale of food or beverage items is prohibited.
- Excessive consumption of alcohol, and playing music at a volume disruptive to other fans, are not permitted.
- Tailgating is allowed in designated areas of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium parking lots.
What to Bring
- A bag the gate will accept
Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags no larger than 12 x 6 x 12 inches and one-gallon clear freezer bags are permitted, plus a non-clear bag no larger than 4.5 x 6.5 inches.
- Only the outside food and drink the rule allows
Outside food and drinks are prohibited, but each guest may bring one factory-sealed, non-frozen water bottle up to 16.9 ounces.
- A card or a phone wallet
Mercedes-Benz Stadium accepts card and mobile payment only at concessions, bars, mobile vendors, and retail locations.
- Your tickets on a charged phone
A mobile ticket is required for entry to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
- Layers, gloves and a hat
January lows average 34°F outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium; the roof decides what the seats get.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
September highs average 84°F outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, whatever the roof does.
- A rain layer
January averages 4.3 inches of rain here, outside the roof.
Tailgate Gear
Lots open on event day, ending thirty minutes after the event starts.
- Tent weights — staking is absolutely prohibited, on grass or asphalt
- One 10 by 10 shade tent per parking space, and no more
- Food for your own group only; selling any of it is prohibited
- A plan for taking the tent down before you enter the stadium
Atlanta Falcons Tailgate Gear
Canopies, grills, coolers, and official Atlanta Falcons gear for the ultimate tailgate.
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How We Checked This Page
Every section below names the source it was read from and the day it was read. Where we could not reach a published figure, the page says so rather than presenting an estimate as a checked fact.
- Pregame
Mercedes-Benz Stadium official site: Parking & Tailgating Guidelines and the Home Depot Backyard tailgating pages
- Venue policies
Current Mercedes-Benz Stadium A-Z, accessibility, concessions, and Falcons event guidance reviewed for all structured venue-policy topics.
- Weather
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals