Cooler temperatures and fall leaves can only mean one thing in Georgia – it’s tailgating season! Fans of all ages come out to cheer on their favorite football teams from the top to the bottom of the state. New to the metro area? KNOWAtlanta has the top tailgating destinations and tips to make your first tailgating season a successful one! From junior football camp to the NFL, tailgating in Georgia is its own sport. And for metro Atlanta, three teams regularly dominate the season.
Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
The state’s official member of the National Football League, the Atlanta Falcons are a core piece of metro Atlanta culture. Supporting our two-time Super Bowl contender in 1998 and 2016, Atlanta fans regularly populate the region’s sports bars, living rooms and tailgating hot spots to cheer on another victory.
All Falcons fans call Mercedes-Benz Stadium the home base and often shut down the downtown area on game day. While there are tailgating parties across the city, here are the top spots to have the most fun:
- 134 and 135 Forsyth Street
- 305 Ted Turner
- Blue Lot
- City Plaza
- Centennial Yards Lot B
- CSX Lot
- Dome 2
- Family Tailgate Lot
- Lots 17, 18, 36, 37, 43, 432, 44, 57, 6, 77
- All letter lots except Y
- Marshaling Yards
- Public Mercedes-Benz Lot
- North Gate 1
- Ruby Lot
- The Home Depot Backyard – official tailgating location
- Yellow Lot
Located at the corner of Northside Drive and Magnolia Drive, The Home Depot Backyard is the official tailgating spot during the Atlanta Falcons football season. A highly accessible area, this event space encourages camaraderie between fans and hosts holiday events, fan celebrations and more throughout the regular season. While The Home Depot Backyard welcomes pet visitors on non-game days, pets are prohibited during tailgating events. The space is also a non-smoking environment that encourages respectful and sustainable behavior.
View this year’s schedule to coordinate your plans for the best tailgate ever!
Georgia Bulldogs at the University of Georgia (UGA)
When you first dive into the Georgia football world, chances are you’ll hear about the Georgia Bulldogs. The home team in Athens, Georgia, the UGA Bulldogs are a passionate pastime of many residents not only in the state of Georgia but across the country. The defending national champs, the Georgia Bulldogs are guaranteed to provide nail-biting fun for fans of all ages at Sanford Stadium.
The college town of Athens is used to welcoming crowds of thousands per game and is well-equipped to promote a safe and fun environment every time. With tailgating spots available on and off campus, Athens cheers its Dawgs on from sunup to sundown.
While there are many ways to support the Georgia Bulldogs across Georgia, here is a list of official on and off-campus options for new and returning tailgaters:
- Myers Quad
- North Campus
- UGA Parking
- Milledge Avenue
- Classic Center Football Parking/Tailgating
- Tailgate Station
- Bulldog Park (RV Parking)
Georgia Bulldog fans go all out for games, so be sure to don your best red, black and white ensemble to cheer on this year’s packed roster of talented players! For more information or to plan your next tailgating trip, visit the official Athens city website. Plan the perfect tailgate by viewing this year’s game schedule.
The Yellow Jackets at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
A seasonal thorn in the side for many Georgia Bulldog fans, Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket fans are more than ready each season to cheer on their boys! Bobby Dodd Stadium is a college hot spot for fans across Intown Atlanta located in the heart of the Georgia Tech campus.
Georgia Tech fans are encouraged to tailgate at one of the following locations for a lively and fun celebration:
- Georgia Tech campus
- The IC Lawn
- Fifth Street Bridge
- Nanotech Parking Lot
- Tech Tower Lawn
- Center Campus – Student Center, CULC Lawn
- Russ Chandler Stadium Lawn
- The Greek Sector
- Peters Parking Deck
- Techwood Drive
- Yellow Jacket Alley
Each tailgating spot has accompanying facilities and nearby restaurants and stores to accommodate fans. Visit the official team website to view this year’s schedule and proudly wear your best yellow and gold!
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