Unforgettable: The most epic full-venue moments at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Playing at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in front of the 17s takes the phrase “home field advantage” to a whole other level.

It all started when the 5-Stripes first took their new home turf in front of 45,314 fans on September 10, 2017 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Having gone winless in seven weeks, both at Bobby Dodd Stadium and on the road, a victory was imperative. With a dominating 3-0 performance over FC Dallas under the new roof, it was clear Atlanta United had found its home. More than just a win that day, a special atmosphere was born. In the 41st minute, the A-T-L clap began to echo across Mercedes-Benz Stadium. From Arthur Blank’s suite, then club president Darren Eales got goosebumps. Plans to open up the 300-level and sell out the stadium for later matches had begun.

Every season, Atlanta United selects a few matches to take down the red, black, and gold curtains and open up the 300-level seats. Of the highest-attendance regular season MLS matches, Atlanta United holds 9 of the top 10 spots – each right around 70,000.

On Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, 17s will have the chance to create another unforgettable atmosphere at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as Atlanta United hosts Supporters' Shield winners Inter Miami CF. This matchup won't be a walk in the park; Atlanta United is looking to keep their Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoff hopes alive by evening out the Round One Best-of-3 Series.

But if history tells us anything, magic is created when Atlanta United plays in front of a stadium full of rowdy and proud 17s.

To gear up for our next full-venue match, let’s take a look back at some of the best moments when we filled Mercedes-Benz Stadium:

1. Loudest Cheer: Final whistle in MLS Cup - December 8th, 2018

While there was no one there measuring exact decibels, legend has it that Mercedes-Benz Stadium shook with the uproar that followed the final whistle in the 95th minute of the 2018 MLS Cup. From the train horn blasting to stomping feet, the 2-0 win that secured Atlanta’s MLS Cup title just one year after the club’s inaugural season will go down in history.

2. Underdog Moment: Caleb Wiley Scores in MLS Debut – February 27th, 2022

Most teenagers are worried about slipping into class after the bell rings, but 17-year-old Caleb Wiley was more concerned about slipping the ball past Sporting Kansas City’s goalkeeper. Just 14 minutes into his MLS debut, the Atlanta United Homegrown scored his first career MLS goal in front of 67,523 supporters – two of which were his parents, cheering loudly right behind the players’ bench.

3. Best Duel: Martínez vs. Dwyer – September 16th, 2017

In an epic back-and-forth in Atlanta United’s first ever full-venue match, MLS strikers Josef Martínez and Dom Dwyer took turns finding the back of the net. Dwyer would strike first for the Lions with a header to the side netting. Martínez answered with a sliding finish about 25 minutes later for Atlanta. Then, Dwyer with another header. Martínez gets a header. Dwyer assists a header. Martínez slips in behind defenders and slots it.

At the end of 90 minutes, each team walked away with one point for the 3-3 tie. In the epic showdown in front of 70,425 supporters, the two MLS strikers put on quite the show.

4. Best Golden Spike Hitter: Ric Flair - October 19th, 2019 

If anyone knows how to get a crowd pumped up, it’s wrestling legend Ric Flair.  

As the 5-Stripes were gearing up in the locker room for Round One of the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs, Mercedes-Benz Stadium was booming. The crowd needed someone to match that energy and hammer in the Golden Spike – who better than a 16-time WWE world champion? 

After ripping off his jacket and giving his famous “WOOO” for the crowd, Ric Flair hammered in the Golden Spike to kick off the club’s 2019 playoff run. The 5-Stripes went on to win a thrilling match against New England 1-0 in front of 66,114 supporters.

5. Unified in Red, Black & Gold: Full-Stadium Tifo, Eastern Conference Finals – November 25th, 2018

Anytime 70,000 people come together to make art, magic is bound to happen. As the players took the pitch prior to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2018, they were met with the entirety of Mercedes-Benz Stadium participating in a full-stadium tifo.

With the words “VAMOS” and “ATL” mirroring one another and the club’s colors radiating from each supporter, the supporters were able to come together and make this moment happen. Over the years, Atlanta United tifos have been inspirational, exciting and sometimes even poke fun at opponents.

Want to know what next match’s tifo will be? Well, you’ll have to be there to find out.

6. Best Barn Burner: Atlanta United tallies five goals against Inter Miami CF - September 16, 2023

Atlanta United hosted Eastern Conference opponent Inter Miami CF at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for their third matchup of the year. Unlike the first two meetings, and despite conceding first, Atlanta was the side to collect the three points with a 5-2 victory. Miami was unbeaten in all competitions in its previous 12 matches heading into the contest, ever since World Cup winner Lionel Messi joined the club in July. Messi missed out on this round and did not travel with his team to Atlanta due to fatigue, prompting a playful taunt from the Atlanta United social media team to 'Bring the whole squad next time' that went viral.

7. Historic Home Opener: Breaking records against New England Revolution - March 9, 2024

On March 9, Atlanta United took on New England Revolution for the club's first home match of the 2024 season. Not only did Atlanta United walk away with a 4-1 victory over New England, but droves of people also came out to see the 5-Stripes dominate in the opener.

67,727 people were in attendance - the third-highest soccer attendance amongst the top soccer leagues in the world for that day. It's no surprise that Atlanta United climbed that list – 17s always show up for their club.

8. Miranchuk Magic against Miami: Alexey Miranchuk scores first MLS goal - September 18, 2024

Acquired during the second transfer window in 2024 as one of Atlanta United's designated players, Alexey Miranchuk brought quality to the team as soon as he started playing. Down a goal, Atlanta United was playing on the front foot, looking for the equalizer against Inter Miami CF and their superstar Lionel Messi, who entered the match as a second-half substitute. The game opened up and, following a throw-in, Brooks Lennon and Miranchuk were given a lot of space on the right side.

It was the first career MLS goal for Miranchuk and saved a point for Atlanta United against the first-place team in the Eastern Conference and eventual Supporters' Shield winners. Miranchuk's goal was such a stunner it won MLS AT&T Goal of the Matchday for Matchday 33.

Special moments happen when Mercedes-Benz Stadium is packed to the brim with rowdy and proud 17s, all chanting together as one voice.

So don’t miss out on the magic. Join us on Saturday as we fill Mercedes-Benz Stadium with red, black, and gold, and look to send this playoff series back to Miami.