Skip to main content

Atlanta’s New Mercedes-Benz Stadium Would Make Even the Ancient Romans Salivate

For anyone who regards football or soccer as religion, Atlanta’s new mega-stadium — the $1.5 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium, opening on July 30 — is sure not to disappoint. The central design feature of the stadium, which will serve as the new home for the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC, will be modern take on the oculus in the Roman Pantheon.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Instead of a simple circular opening, the ceiling will sport eight transparent fabric petals which will open like a camera aperture in a matter of minutes. The oculus will be ringed by a 360-degree display screen clocking in at five-stories tall, making it the largest in the world, and visible to the structure’s maximum of 83,000 fans. A glass wall along one side of the stadium — called the “window to the city” — also five-stories in height, will overlook downtown Atlanta, a design feature that would make any ancient Roman jealous.

Recommended Videos

If that’s not enough, the stadium will be 30 percent more efficient than a traditional one, thanks to 4,000 solar panels and charging stations for 48 electric vehicles. Those features, along with a 1-million-gallon storm vault to collect rainwater, puts the stadium on track to receive LEED Platinum certification, the highest level of building sustainability. A network of bike paths will complement the three rail lines accessing the stadium.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Two-thousand screens around the stadium will help fans catch any action missed while in the men’s room. And a massive network of wireless connection points will allow virtually every person in the stadium to stream video simultaneously.

Still not impressed? How about the stunningly-low price for hot dogs and popcorn ($2), pizza slices and nachos ($3), and domestic beers ($5). And in a twist that airports should take note of, food from outside vendors will be priced the same as they are at their other locations. With 650 different locations selling food and drinks, designers project that waiting times will be significantly shorter than at the Georgia Dome, Atlanta’s current stadium that the Mercedes-Benz Stadium will replace.

On July 30, the Atlanta United FC face off against Orlando City SC in the stadium’s inaugural event, eventually followed by Super Bowl LIII in 2019, as well as the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship and 2020 Men’s Final Four.

Chase Scheinbaum
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Chase Scheinbaum is a freelance writer and a graduate of Columbia Journalism School who sailed across the Pacific Ocean (and…
March favorites: The best shows to watch on Starz
From Outlander to Party Down, these are the best shows you can stream on Starz
Outlanders

Since its inception, Starz has proven it can hang with larger competitors like Max. Although it's now making television in an incredibly crowded landscape, Starz has managed to regularly launch shows that make an impact, and it speaks to the enduring quality of these shows that they've also stood the test of time.
Because the streaming service is relatively niche, it can be hard to feel like it's worth the investment. I know from personal experience that, once you take the plunge and check out a few series on Starz, though, you'll realize just how deep the well of great stuff is. Any one of these shows would justify the price of a subscription.

Party Down (2009)

Read more
Discover the best Disney+ movies to watch this March
If you're a Disney+ member, stream these movies this month
Princess Bride

Disney is arguably the most iconic entertainment brand in the world. The company's properties, both original and acquired, combine to produce content that transcends age demographics. Disney has built a brand that's beloved by children, and those children eventually age into adults who introduce their kids to the films they loved when they were young. Disney's animation alone has made it iconic, but in recent years, the company has also acquired some of the biggest pieces of intellectual property there are. And with Disney Plus available on any device, you can watch all these movies whenever you want.

Between its acquisitions of both Marvel and Star Wars, there's a good chance that Disney is shepherding whatever you love to screens, both large and small. When it launched Disney+, the company was sure to fill it with both those nostalgic animated classics and plenty of new stuff as well. If, like me, you've ever felt a twinge of nostalgia for the Disney movies you loved as a kid, they're all there. Just as importantly, though, you can find movies that will resonate with you today in ways they didn't as a kid. Whatever you're looking for, you can probably find it on Disney+.

Read more
Your March viewing guide: Best shows on Paramount+ this month
Stream these incredible shows on Paramount+
Penny Dreadful scene

Having a vast library of good television shows and films is the most important factor in the success of a streaming service. That's part of what transformed Netflix into a global phenomenon, and it's why services like Paramount Plus have worked hard to build a healthy library of series that subscribers can browse through. As is the case with all streaming services, Paramount+ has a mix of original series that live only on the platform and older shows that were originally on broadcast and have now found a home on streaming.
Although these shows have varied histories, each one of them is a great staple in Paramount Plus's overall streaming library. Paramount+ might not seem like it has the kind of depth or variety that someplace like Netflix does, but trust me, once you dive in, you'll find that there are plenty of shows to watch and love.

Penny Dreadful (2014)

Read more