MLS franchise Atlanta United are preparing for their first-ever game in their incredible, £1.38BILLION stadium.
The US team play their debut MLS outing at the ground in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday – expecting big things after splashing the extraordinary amount of money on it.
The Mercedes-Benz Arena cost well over £1bn to build… but it looks worth every penny.
As well as seating an incredible 71,000 spectators, the stadium has an astonishing array of features set to rival any ground on the planet.
The state-of-the-art venue is complete with an Ancient Rome-inspired retractable roof, a gigantic scoreboard and even over 1,200 beer taps.
Atlanta’s new roof is inspired by Rome’s Pantheon, as six-triangular panels rotate to close within just 11 minutes, leaving a small circular gap in the middle – much like the famous Roman building.
The stunning features don’t stop there either, as the stadium can also boast a 1,100ft-long, 58ft tall, 360-degree scoreboard.
At one end of the stadium is a 16-storey window with a breathtaking view of the city.
You wouldn’t have to wait too long for a drink either, as there are a whopping 1,264 beer taps, serving 40 different tipples at just £3.80 a pop – almost 50 per cent cheaper than the league average.
With more drink comes more calls from nature too… with the stadium adding nearly a third more toilets compared to the old Georgia Dome.
It’s not just state-of-the-art in terms of facilities though, as the technology is astonishing too.
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium will gather rainwater to reuse in its 600,000-gallon cistern, while 4,000 solar panels will also provide an electrical energy boost.
The stadium has taken over three years to be completed… but fans will no doubt agree, it’s worth the wait.
They’ll take on FC Dallas on Sunday, after two away games to start the season – a 1-0 loss away to DC United and a 2-2 draw in Philadelphia.