Right now, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, is at the center of the sports world. It just hosted the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, it is one of the official venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and it remains the home turf for some of America’s most-watched sports teams. But behind this $1.6 billion architectural marvel — with its camera-shutter roof and massive video halo board — lies a clear and fascinating ownership story involving one billionaire, one German automaker, and a stadium that has become one of the most valuable sports venues on the planet.
What Is Mercedes-Benz Stadium?
Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s total cost exceeded $1.6 billion, placing it among the most expensive stadiums on the planet. With more than 1,800 wireless access points and state-of-the-art mobile connectivity, the stadium is one of the most technologically advanced in the country. The stadium’s roof is inspired by the oculus of the Pantheon in Rome — it consists of eight triangular panels that open and close in a circular shape, like a camera.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium has hosted Super Bowl LIII, the College Football Playoff National Championship, Copa America, and is one of the venues for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Who Owns Mercedes-Benz Stadium?
The direct answer: Mercedes-Benz Stadium is owned by AMB Group, led by Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC owner Arthur Blank.
The name Mercedes-Benz Stadium comes from a naming-rights agreement between the venue’s owner, AMB Group, led by Arthur Blank, and the German automobile manufacturer Mercedes-Benz. The Atlanta Falcons are the primary user, as team owner Arthur Blank led the investment and manages the venue through AMB Group.
The stadium was financed in part by Falcons owner Arthur Blank and also with public funds.
Mercedes-Benz itself owns zero equity in the building. It simply pays for naming rights — the company has no ownership stake in the stadium, the land, or the operations.
Ownership Table
| Party | Role | Stake | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMB Group (Arthur Blank) | Stadium Owner & Operator | Primary owner | Led the $1.6B investment; owns Falcons, Atlanta United, Atlanta NWSL team |
| Public Funds (State of Georgia) | Co-Funding Partner | Partial public financing | Contributed taxpayer funds toward construction |
| Mercedes-Benz USA | Naming Rights Partner | 0% equity | 27-year naming deal signed 2015, runs through 2042 |
| Atlanta Falcons (NFL) | Primary Tenant | No ownership | Owned by Arthur Blank; plays all home games here |
| Atlanta United FC (MLS) | Tenant | No ownership | Owned by Arthur Blank |
| Atlanta NWSL Team | Future Tenant | No ownership | Owned by Arthur Blank; begins play in 2028 |
| 13 Founding Partners (Coca-Cola, Home Depot, etc.) | Corporate Sponsors | No ownership | Sponsorship deals only, no equity |
The Origin Story
AMB Sports & Entertainment (AMBSE) announced Mercedes-Benz USA would be the naming partner of the new Atlanta stadium in August 2015. The agreement continues through 2042 and includes official naming rights and other partnership benefits.
Mercedes-Benz and AMB Sports & Entertainment reached a 27-year agreement. Blank said: “We chose Atlanta as the foundation for the future of our company,” referencing Mercedes-Benz USA’s corporate headquarters relocation from New Jersey to Atlanta.
The stadium opened in 2017, replacing the old Georgia Dome. The venue features flexible capacity that can expand to up to 83,000 seats, with a 360-degree HD video halo board that, at nearly six stories tall and 1,100 linear feet in diameter, became the largest in the NFL and the world.
Arthur Blank: The Man Behind It All
Arthur Blank co-founded The Home Depot before becoming one of the most prominent owners in American sports.
The Atlanta NWSL team is owned by Arthur Blank’s AMB Sports + Entertainment group, which also owns Atlanta United and the Atlanta Falcons. The expansion fee was reported to be a record price of $165 million.
Through AMB Group, Blank now owns the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, MLS’s Atlanta United FC, the upcoming Atlanta NWSL franchise, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium itself — all under one umbrella, all playing at the same venue.
What Happened to Mercedes-Benz’s Other Stadium Deal?
Interestingly, Mercedes-Benz once held naming rights to two stadiums simultaneously — and only kept one.
Mercedes-Benz announced in May 2020 it would not renew the sponsorship deal for the Superdome in New Orleans. The company had held naming rights to both the Superdome and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta since 2017, causing some confusion between the two. The Mercedes-Benz Superdome became the plain Superdome again after the deal expired on July 15, 2021.
Mercedes-Benz chose to keep only the Atlanta naming rights — the stadium owned by AMB Group — through 2042.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2026
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank is ensuring Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the top venue for the FIFA 2026 World Cup. Atlanta will host eight World Cup matches this summer. “I know our stadium is ready. I can give you 100% assurance of that,” Blank told CBS News Atlanta.
The 2026 NFL season will be the Atlanta Falcons’ 61st season, their tenth playing home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who owns Mercedes-Benz Stadium? AMB Group, led by Arthur Blank, owns and operates Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Q2. Does Mercedes-Benz own the stadium itself? No. Mercedes-Benz only holds naming rights under a 27-year deal through 2042 — zero equity.
Q3. How much did Mercedes-Benz Stadium cost to build? The stadium’s total cost exceeded $1.6 billion, funded by Arthur Blank and public funds.
Q4. Which teams play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium? The Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Atlanta United FC (MLS), and the upcoming Atlanta NWSL team — all owned by Arthur Blank.
Q5. When did the naming rights deal start? Mercedes-Benz USA signed the naming rights agreement in August 2015, before the stadium opened in 2017.
Q6. Did Mercedes-Benz ever have naming rights to another stadium? Yes, the Superdome in New Orleans — but that deal expired in July 2021 and was not renewed.
Q7. Will Mercedes-Benz Stadium host 2026 World Cup matches? Yes. Atlanta will host eight FIFA World Cup 2026 matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Q8. Who is Arthur Blank?
Arthur Blank, co-founder of The Home Depot, owns the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, Atlanta NWSL team, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is owned by AMB Group, the sports and entertainment company led by Arthur Blank — the same owner behind the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United FC, and the upcoming Atlanta NWSL team. Mercedes-Benz USA holds only the naming rights under a 27-year deal running through 2042 — it has no equity in the $1.6 billion venue. Construction was funded through a combination of Blank’s private investment and public funds from the State of Georgia.
