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Filling out the Atlanta skyline is the world’s
largest cable-supported dome, the Georgia Dome.
Inside this behemoth that covers nearly nine
acres and rises to the height of a 27 story
building you’ll find some of the world’s biggest
name performers and some of the world’s best
athletes showcasing their talent on the 102,000
square foot stage created by the floor of the
Georgia Dome.
Home
of the Atlanta Falcons since 1992, the Georgia Dome
is the worlds largest cable supported stadium.
Atlanta Falcons, professional football team and one
of five teams in the Western Division of the
National Football Conference (NFC) of the National
Football League (NFL). |
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Under the league’s
realignment plan, which will take affect in 2002,
the Falcons will play in the South Division of the NFC. The Falcons play in the Georgia Dome and wear
uniforms of black, red, silver, and white. The
team’s name was inspired by a letter from
schoolteacher Julia Elliott of Griffin, Georgia, who
won a contest in 1965 to name the new franchise,
writing: “The falcon is proud and dignified, with
courage and fight.
Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, the Dome
is the home venue for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons and
the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, was host of Super Bowl
XXVIII and hosted gymnastics, basketball and the
finals of team handball during the 1996 Centennial
Olympic Games.
Beginning in 1984, a new stadium for the Falcons was
discussed. The Falcons had been playing at Atlanta
Fulton County Stadium since their inception in 1966.
The Falcons wanted a new football only facility,
because they had to share Atlanta Fulton County
Stadium with the Atlanta Braves (MLB). By 1988,
talks had intensified on building
a new stadium, and in 1989 approval came from the
state, the Atlanta City Council and Fulton County
Commission to build a dome stadium. Ground breaking
ceremonies took place on November 22, 1989. The
Georgia Dome was completed in time for the start of
the 1992 NFL season.
The Falcons played their first game at the Georgia
Dome on September 6, 1992. Over 70,000 fans filled
the Georgia Dome to see the Falcons play. Three
tiers of teal seats circle the entire gridiron. The
roof is made up of Teflon and fiberglass. Every seat
from the lower deck to the upper deck has a great
view of the field. The Georgia Dome has many
amenities including several food courts, the In-Zone
Restaurant, Kickers Sports Bar, Millers Lodge, over
5,000 club seats, and over 200 luxury suites. After
the 2002 season, the surface of the Georgia Dome was
changed from Astroturf to Fieldturf. The Georgia
Dome has hosted Super Bowls XXXIV and XXVIII. It
also hosts collegiate bowl games, was the home of
the Atlanta Hawks (NBA, 1998-’99), hosted several
Olympic events in 1996, and is scheduled to host the
NCAA final four in 2007.
Some Atlanta Falcons history: Altanta was
awarded an NFL franchise for the 1966 season and was
coached by Norb Hecker, a former assistant to Vince
Lombardi of the Green Bay Packers. Linebacker Tommy
Nobis, the team's first draft pick, captured the
1966 NFL rookie of the year award.
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