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Coordinates: 33°44′20″N 84°23′20″W / 33.739°N 84.389°W / 33.739; -84.389
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{{Short description|Former multi-purpose stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, United States}}
{{Short description|Former multi-purpose stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, United States}}
{{redirect|Atlanta Stadium|the [[2026 FIFA World Cup]] stadium called "Atlanta Stadium" by FIFA|Mercedes-Benz Stadium}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox venue
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium
| stadium_name = Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium
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| image_size = 300
| image_size = 300
| caption = circa late 1960s-early 1970s
| caption = circa late 1960s-early 1970s
| location = 521 Capitol Avenue SE<br>[[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], U.S. <!--30312-->
| location = 521 Capitol Avenue SE<br>[[Atlanta]], Georgia, U.S. <!--30312-->
| coordinates = {{Coord|33.739|N|84.389|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{Coord|33.739|N|84.389|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| broke_ground = {{Start date and age|1964|4|15}}
| broke_ground = {{Start date and age|1964|4|15}}
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| services engineer = Lazenby & Borum<ref name="modern steel"/>
| services engineer = Lazenby & Borum<ref name="modern steel"/>
| general_contractor = [[Lendlease|Thompson-Street Co.]]<ref name="modern steel"/><ref name="ballparks">{{cite web |title=Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium|url=http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/national/fulton.htm|publisher=Munsey & Suppes|work=Ballparks.com|date=April 2007|access-date=June 22, 2012}}</ref>
| general_contractor = [[Lendlease|Thompson-Street Co.]]<ref name="modern steel"/><ref name="ballparks">{{cite web |title=Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium|url=http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/national/fulton.htm|publisher=Munsey & Suppes|work=Ballparks.com|date=April 2007|access-date=June 22, 2012}}</ref>
| former_names = '''Atlanta Stadium''' (1965–75)
| former_names = '''Atlanta Stadium''' (1965–1975)
| tenants = [[Atlanta Crackers]] ([[International League|IL]]) (1965)<br>[[Atlanta Braves]] ([[Major League Baseball|MLB]]) (1966–96)<br>[[Atlanta Falcons]] ([[National Football League|NFL]]) (1966–91)<br>[[Atlanta Chiefs]] ([[North American Soccer League (1968–84)|NASL]]) (1967–69, 1971–72, 1979–81)<br>[[Peach Bowl]] ([[NCAA]]) (1971–92)
| tenants = [[Atlanta Crackers]] ([[International League|IL]]) (1965)<br>[[Atlanta Braves]] ([[Major League Baseball|MLB]]) (1966–96)<br>[[Atlanta Falcons]] ([[National Football League|NFL]]) (1966–91)<br>[[Atlanta Chiefs]] ([[North American Soccer League (1968–84)|NASL]]) (1967–69, 1971–72, 1979–81)<br>[[Peach Bowl]] ([[NCAA]]) (1971–92)
| seating_capacity = [[Baseball]]: 52,007<br>[[American Football|Football]]: 60,606
| seating_capacity = [[Baseball]]: 52,007<br>[[American football|Football]]: 60,606
| dimensions = ''1966–68 & 1974–96''<br>'''Left field''' – {{convert|330|ft|0|abbr=on}}<br>'''Left-Center''' – {{convert|385|ft|0|abbr=on}}<br>'''Center Field''' – {{convert|402|ft|abbr=on}}<br>'''Right-Center''' – {{convert|385|ft|abbr=on}}<br>'''Right Field''' – {{convert|330|ft|0|abbr=on}}<br><br>''1969–1972''<br>'''Left field''' – {{convert|330|ft|0|abbr=on}}<br>'''Left-Center''' – {{convert|375|ft|abbr=on}}<br>'''Center Field''' – {{convert|402|ft|abbr=on}}<br>'''Right-Center''' – {{convert|375|ft|abbr=on}}<br>{{nowrap|'''Right Field''' – {{convert|330|ft|0|abbr=on}}}}<br><br>''1973''<br>'''Left field''' – {{convert|330|ft|0|abbr=on}}<br>'''Left-Center''' – {{convert|375|ft|abbr=on}}<br>'''Center Field''' – {{convert|402|ft|abbr=on}}<br>{{nowrap|'''Right-Center''' – {{convert|385|ft|0|abbr=on}}}}<br>'''Right Field''' – {{convert|330|ft|0|abbr=on}} [[File:AtlantaFultonCountyStadium.svg|200px|]]
| dimensions = ''1966–68 & 1974–96''<br>'''Left field''' – {{convert|330|ft|0|abbr=on}}<br>'''Left-Center''' – {{convert|385|ft|0|abbr=on}}<br>'''Center Field''' – {{convert|402|ft|abbr=on}}<br>'''Right-Center''' – {{convert|385|ft|abbr=on}}<br>'''Right Field''' – {{convert|330|ft|0|abbr=on}}<br><br>''1969–1972''<br>'''Left field''' – {{convert|330|ft|0|abbr=on}}<br>'''Left-Center''' – {{convert|375|ft|abbr=on}}<br>'''Center Field''' – {{convert|402|ft|abbr=on}}<br>'''Right-Center''' – {{convert|375|ft|abbr=on}}<br>{{nowrap|'''Right Field''' – {{convert|330|ft|0|abbr=on}}}}<br><br>''1973''<br>'''Left field''' – {{convert|330|ft|0|abbr=on}}<br>'''Left-Center''' – {{convert|375|ft|abbr=on}}<br>'''Center Field''' – {{convert|402|ft|abbr=on}}<br>{{nowrap|'''Right-Center''' – {{convert|385|ft|0|abbr=on}}}}<br>'''Right Field''' – {{convert|330|ft|0|abbr=on}} [[File:AtlantaFultonCountyStadium.svg|200px]]
}}
}}
'''Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium''', often referred to as '''Fulton County Stadium''' and originally named '''Atlanta Stadium''', was a [[multi-purpose stadium]] in the southeastern United States, located in [[Atlanta]]. The stadium was home of the [[Atlanta Braves]] of the [[Major League Baseball]] and the [[Atlanta Falcons]] of the [[National Football League]]. It was built to attract an MLB team and in [[1966 Atlanta Braves season|1966]] succeeded when the [[Milwaukee Braves (1953–65)|Milwaukee Braves]] relocated from [[Wisconsin]].


'''Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium''', often referred to as '''Fulton County Stadium''' and originally named '''Atlanta Stadium''', was a [[multi-purpose stadium]] located in [[Atlanta|Atlanta, Georgia]]. The stadium was home of the [[Atlanta Braves]] of [[Major League Baseball]] from [[1966 Atlanta Braves season|1966]] until [[1996 Atlanta Braves season|1996]] and the [[Atlanta Falcons]] of the [[National Football League]] from [[1966 Atlanta Falcons season|1966]] until [[1991 Atlanta Falcons season|1991]]. It was built to attract an MLB team and in [[1966 Atlanta Braves season|1966]] succeeded when the [[Milwaukee Braves (1953–65)|Milwaukee Braves]] relocated from [[Wisconsin]].
The Braves and expansion Falcons shared the venue for 26 years, until the Falcons moved into the newly completed [[Georgia Dome]] in [[1992 Atlanta Falcons season|1992]]. The Braves continued to play at the stadium for another five years, then moved into [[Turner Field]] in [[1997 Atlanta Braves season|1997]], the converted [[Centennial Olympic Stadium]] built for the previous year's [[1996 Summer Olympics|Summer Olympics]], which hosted [[Baseball_at_the_1996_Summer_Olympics|baseball]] events. Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium was demolished on August 2, 1997.

The Braves and expansion Falcons shared the venue for 26 years, until the Falcons moved into the newly completed [[Georgia Dome]] in [[1992 Atlanta Falcons season|1992]]. The Braves continued to play at the stadium for another five years, then moved into [[Turner Field]] in [[1997 Atlanta Braves season|1997]], the converted [[Centennial Olympic Stadium]] built for the previous year's [[1996 Summer Olympics|Summer Olympics]]. Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium hosted [[Baseball at the 1996 Summer Olympics|baseball]] events. Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium was demolished on August 2, 1997.


==History==
==History==
[[File:GA 6 I20 I75 FHWA 1966 124.jpg|thumb|left|Aerial view of the stadium with the Atlanta skyline and the Interstate 20/75 interchange.]]
[[File:Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (2897768910).jpg|thumb|left|Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in July 1985.]]
[[File:Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (2897768910).jpg|thumb|left|Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in July 1985.]]
During his 1961 campaign for [[mayor of Atlanta]], [[Ivan Allen Jr.]] promised to build a sports facility to attract a Major League Baseball team. After winning office, Allen chose a {{convert|47|acre|adj=on}} plot in the [[Washington–Rawson]] neighborhood for the building site, citing its proximity to the [[Georgia State Capitol|state capitol]], downtown businesses, and major highways. Allen and ''[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|The Atlanta Journal]]'' sports editor [[Furman Bisher]] attempted to persuade [[Charlie Finley]], owner of the [[1963 Kansas City Athletics season|Kansas City Athletics]], to move his team to Atlanta. Finley was receptive and began discussing stadium design plans with Allen. However, the deal ended in July 1963 when the [[American League]] did not approve the move.<ref name="newGaEncyc"/>
During his 1961 campaign for [[mayor of Atlanta]], [[Ivan Allen Jr.]] promised to build a sports facility to attract a Major League Baseball team. After winning office, Allen chose a {{convert|47|acre|adj=on}} plot in the [[Washington–Rawson]] neighborhood for the building site, citing its proximity to the [[Georgia State Capitol|state capitol]], downtown businesses, and major highways. Allen and ''[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|The Atlanta Journal]]'' sports editor [[Furman Bisher]] attempted to persuade [[Charlie Finley]], owner of the [[1963 Kansas City Athletics season|Kansas City Athletics]], to move his team to Atlanta. Finley was receptive and began discussing stadium design plans with Allen. However, the deal ended in July 1963 when the [[American League]] did not approve the move.<ref name="newGaEncyc"/>


In 1964, Mayor Allen announced that an unidentified team had given him a verbal commitment to move to Atlanta, provided a stadium was in place by 1966. Soon afterward, the prospective team was revealed to be the Milwaukee Braves, who announced in October that they intended to move to Atlanta for the [[1965 Milwaukee Braves season|1965]] season. However, court battles kept the Braves in Milwaukee for one last season.<ref name="Storied">{{cite book|last=Smith|first=Curt|author-link=Curt Smith (author)|title=Storied Stadiums|url=https://archive.org/details/storiedstadiumsb00curt|url-access=registration|year=2001|publisher=Carroll & Graf|location=New York City|isbn=0-7867-1187-6}}</ref>
In 1964, Mayor Allen announced that an unidentified team had given him a verbal commitment to move to Atlanta, provided a stadium was in place by 1966. Soon afterward, the prospective team was revealed to be the Milwaukee Braves, who announced in October that they intended to move to Atlanta for the [[1965 Milwaukee Braves season|1965 season]]. However, court battles kept the Braves in Milwaukee for one last season.<ref name="Storied">{{cite book|last=Smith|first=Curt|author-link=Curt Smith (author)|title=Storied Stadiums|url=https://archive.org/details/storiedstadiumsb00curt|url-access=registration|year=2001|publisher=Carroll & Graf|location=New York City|isbn=0-7867-1187-6}}</ref>


[[File:Atlanta Stadium 1990s.jpg|thumb|left|Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium during a Falcons game, 1991.]]
The new stadium was built on the site of the cleared Washington–Rawson neighborhood, which a half-century before had been a wealthy neighborhood home to Georgia's governor, among others, but which by the 1960s had fallen on hard times. Forty-seven dignitaries took part in a [[groundbreaking]] ceremony on April 15, 1964,<ref name=abpcn>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2IBfAAAAIBAJ&pg=2058%2C2614047 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |agency=Associated Press |title=Atlanta begins park construction |date=April 16, 1964 |page=12}}</ref> and that November, the Braves signed a 25-year agreement to play there, beginning in [[1966 Atlanta Braves season|1966]].<ref name=ahltrd>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jK9eAAAAIBAJ&pg=2748%2C2082709 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |agency=Associated Press |title=Atlanta has long tradition of winning baseball teams |date=November 12, 1964 |page=19}}</ref> Construction was completed on April 9, 1965, for $18 million, and that night the [[1965 Milwaukee Braves season|Milwaukee Braves]] and [[1965 Detroit Tigers season|Detroit Tigers]] played an exhibition game in the stadium.<ref name="newGaEncyc"/><ref name=exdix>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ABQwAAAAIBAJ&pg=5728%2C4318265 |work=Rome News-Tribune |location=Georgia |agency=UPI |title=Dixie-style welcome due tonight when Braves dedicate new stadium |date=April 9, 1965 |page=10}}</ref> During that year the [[International League]]'s [[Atlanta Crackers]], whose previous home had been [[Ponce de Leon Park]], played their final season in Atlanta Stadium.
The new stadium was built on the site of the cleared Washington–Rawson neighborhood, which a half-century before had been a wealthy neighborhood home to Georgia's governor, among others, but which by the 1960s had fallen on hard times. Forty-seven dignitaries took part in a [[groundbreaking]] ceremony on April 15, 1964,<ref name=abpcn>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2IBfAAAAIBAJ&pg=2058%2C2614047 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |agency=Associated Press |title=Atlanta begins park construction |date=April 16, 1964 |page=12}}</ref> and that November, the Braves signed a 25-year agreement to play there, beginning in [[1966 Atlanta Braves season|1966]].<ref name=ahltrd>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jK9eAAAAIBAJ&pg=2748%2C2082709 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |agency=Associated Press |title=Atlanta has long tradition of winning baseball teams |date=November 12, 1964 |page=19}}</ref> Construction was completed on April 9, 1965, for $18 million, and that night the [[1965 Milwaukee Braves season|Milwaukee Braves]] and [[1965 Detroit Tigers season|Detroit Tigers]] played an exhibition game in the stadium.<ref name="newGaEncyc"/><ref name=exdix>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ABQwAAAAIBAJ&pg=5728%2C4318265 |work=Rome News-Tribune |location=Georgia |agency=UPI |title=Dixie-style welcome due tonight when Braves dedicate new stadium |date=April 9, 1965 |page=10}}</ref> During that year the [[International League]]'s [[Atlanta Crackers]], whose previous home had been [[Ponce de Leon Park]], played their final season in Atlanta Stadium. On August 18, 1965, [[the Beatles]] performed a concert at Atlanta Stadium.


In 1966, both the [[National League]]'s transplanted Braves and the [[National Football League]]'s [[1966 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]], an [[expansion team]], began to use the facilities. In 1967, the [[Atlanta Chiefs]] of the [[National Professional Soccer League (1967)|National Professional Soccer League]] (re-formed as the [[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|North American Soccer League]] in 1968) began the first of five seasons played at the stadium.<ref>[http://home.att.net/~nasl/teams/chiefs1.htm Atlanta Chiefs] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229015851/http://home.att.net/~nasl/teams/chiefs1.htm |date=December 29, 2007 }}</ref> The venue hosted the second match of the [[NASL Final 1968]] and two matches of the [[NASL Final 1971]].
In 1966, both the [[National League (baseball)|National League]]'s transplanted Braves and the [[National Football League]]'s [[1966 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]], an [[expansion team]], began to use the facilities. In 1967, the [[Atlanta Chiefs]] of the [[National Professional Soccer League (1967)|National Professional Soccer League]] (re-formed as the [[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|North American Soccer League]] in 1968) began the first of five seasons played at the stadium.<ref>[http://home.att.net/~nasl/teams/chiefs1.htm Atlanta Chiefs] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229015851/http://home.att.net/~nasl/teams/chiefs1.htm |date=December 29, 2007 }}</ref> The venue hosted the second match of the [[NASL Final 1968]] and two matches of the [[NASL Final 1971]].


On February 11, 1975, the stadium's name was changed to the compound Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium after the county threatened to withdraw its financial support.<ref name="Constitution 2/12/1975">{{cite news |last=Gray |first=Jim |title=Fulton County Gets Name on Stadium |newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution |date=February 12, 1975 |page=12A}}</ref> However, the official website of the Atlanta Braves maintains that the name change occurred after [[Ted Turner]] purchased the team in [[1976 Atlanta Braves season|1976]].<ref name="bravesBallparkHistory">{{cite web |title=Ballpark history|url=http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/atl/ballpark/history.jsp|publisher=[[Major League Baseball Advanced Media]]|access-date=June 19, 2012}}</ref>
On February 11, 1975, the stadium's name was changed to the compound Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium after the county threatened to withdraw its financial support.<ref name="Constitution 2/12/1975">{{cite news |last=Gray |first=Jim |title=Fulton County Gets Name on Stadium |newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution |date=February 12, 1975 |page=12A}}</ref> However, the official website of the Atlanta Braves maintains that the name change occurred after [[Ted Turner]] purchased the team in [[1976 Atlanta Braves season|1976]].<ref name="bravesBallparkHistory">{{cite web |title=Ballpark history|url=http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/atl/ballpark/history.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314014455/http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/atl/ballpark/history.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 14, 2007|publisher=[[Major League Baseball Advanced Media]]|access-date=June 19, 2012}}</ref>


The Falcons moved to the [[Georgia Dome]] in [[1992 Atlanta Falcons season|1992]], while the Braves remained until Centennial Olympic Stadium from the [[1996 Summer Olympics]] was converted into [[Turner Field]], which was completed just prior to the start of the [[1997 Atlanta Braves season|1997 season]]. The stadium sat 60,606 for football and 52,007 for baseball. The baseball competition for the [[1996 Summer Olympics]] was held at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium while the Braves were on a three-week road trip.
The Falcons moved to the [[Georgia Dome]] in [[1992 Atlanta Falcons season|1992]], while the Braves remained until Centennial Olympic Stadium from the [[1996 Summer Olympics]] was converted into [[Turner Field]], which was completed just prior to the start of the [[1997 Atlanta Braves season|1997 season]]. The stadium sat 60,606 for football and 52,007 for baseball. The baseball competition for the [[1996 Summer Olympics]] was held at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium while the Braves were on a three-week road trip.
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Following the Olympics and the 1996 World Series, Fulton County commissioner, [[Marvin S. Arrington Sr.]], wanted to preserve the stadium as the home of a future [[Major League Soccer]] [[Atlanta United FC|franchise]] and share the parking facilities between it and Turner Field but he was unable to push it through.<ref>{{cite book |last=Arrington|first=Marvin|title=Making My Mark|url=https://archive.org/details/makingmymarkstor0000arri|url-access=registration|publisher=Mercer University Press|year=2008|page=[https://archive.org/details/makingmymarkstor0000arri/page/167 167]|isbn=9780881460988 }}</ref>
Following the Olympics and the 1996 World Series, Fulton County commissioner, [[Marvin S. Arrington Sr.]], wanted to preserve the stadium as the home of a future [[Major League Soccer]] [[Atlanta United FC|franchise]] and share the parking facilities between it and Turner Field but he was unable to push it through.<ref>{{cite book |last=Arrington|first=Marvin|title=Making My Mark|url=https://archive.org/details/makingmymarkstor0000arri|url-access=registration|publisher=Mercer University Press|year=2008|page=[https://archive.org/details/makingmymarkstor0000arri/page/167 167]|isbn=9780881460988 }}</ref>


Between late 1996 and summer 1997, the inside of the stadium was demolished. The stadium was imploded on August 2, 1997; the remains were later removed and demolished. A parking lot, built for Turner Field now stands on the site, with an outline of the old stadium built in. The monument that marked the landing point of Hank Aaron's historic 715th home run stands in the same place it did when the stadium was on the site.
On April 4, 1997, home plate was removed from Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium and taken to Turner Field, where it was installed by [[Hank Aaron]] in the new stadium.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/sports/1997/04/05/it-was-grand-opening-for/50620739007/ | title=It was grand opening for Turner Field }}</ref> Afterwards, demolition of the old stadium began. Between spring and summer 1997, the inside of the stadium was demolished. The stadium was imploded on August 2, 1997; the remains were later removed and demolished. A parking lot, built for Turner Field now stands on the site, with an outline of the old stadium built in. The monument that marked the landing point of Hank Aaron's historic 715th home run stands in the same place it did when the stadium was on the site.

The outfield fence was donated to the [[Georgia State Baseball Complex]] and installed prior to the 1998 season.<ref>{{cite web|title=GSU Baseball Complex|url=http://www.georgiastatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=12700&ATCLID=205155092|work=Facilities|publisher=Georgia State University Athletic Department|accessdate=December 22, 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122104757/http://www.georgiastatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=12700&ATCLID=205155092|archivedate=November 22, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>


===Redevelopment===
===Redevelopment===
Upon the Atlanta Braves' move to [[Truist Park]] in suburban [[Cobb County]] after the [[2016 Atlanta Braves season|2016 season]], the stadium site and the adjacent Turner Field were purchased by [[Georgia State University]] in 2016, with final approval from the [[Georgia Board of Regents|Board of Regents]] of the [[University System of Georgia]] on November 9 of that year. Turner Field was renovated into [[Center Parc Stadium]] for the [[Georgia State Panthers football|Panthers football team]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/18009462/georgia-state-panthers-purchase-turner-field-228-million |title=Georgia State buys Turner Field, will convert it for football |agency=[[Associated Press]] |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=November 9, 2016 |access-date=November 9, 2016}}</ref> while new baseball and softball parks are planned for the former Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium site.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Harden |first1=Julian |title=Georgia State's new baseball stadium will pay homage to Hank Aaron |url=https://georgiastatesignal.com/georgia-states-new-baseball-stadium-will-pay-homage-to-hank-aaron/ |publisher=Georgia State Signal |access-date=August 8, 2021 |date=June 22, 2021}}</ref>
Upon the Atlanta Braves' move to [[Truist Park]] in suburban [[Cobb County]] after the [[2016 Atlanta Braves season|2016 season]], the stadium site and the adjacent Turner Field were purchased by [[Georgia State University]] in 2016, with final approval from the [[Georgia Board of Regents|Board of Regents]] of the [[University System of Georgia]] on November 9 of that year. Turner Field was renovated into [[Center Parc Stadium]] for the [[Georgia State Panthers football|Panthers football team]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/18009462/georgia-state-panthers-purchase-turner-field-228-million |title=Georgia State buys Turner Field, will convert it for football |agency=[[Associated Press]] |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=November 9, 2016 |access-date=November 9, 2016}}</ref> while new baseball and softball parks are planned for the former Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium site.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Harden |first1=Julian |title=Georgia State's new baseball stadium will pay homage to Hank Aaron |url=https://georgiastatesignal.com/georgia-states-new-baseball-stadium-will-pay-homage-to-hank-aaron/ |publisher=Georgia State Signal |access-date=August 8, 2021 |date=June 22, 2021}}</ref> In May 2024, The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia approved the construction of a new baseball stadium on the site, with completion planned in time for the start of the 2026 season.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://georgiastatesports.com/news/2024/5/14/athletics-board-of-regents-approves-new-downtown-baseball-stadium.aspx | title=Board of Regents Approves New Downtown Baseball Stadium | date=May 14, 2024 }}</ref>

The site is currently a parking lot for [[Center Parc Stadium]].


==Notable events==
==Notable events==
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* On July 25, 1972, the stadium hosted the [[1972 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|Major League Baseball All-Star Game]]. [[Hank Aaron]] hit a home run during the game, and the National League won it, 4–3, in 10 innings.
* On July 25, 1972, the stadium hosted the [[1972 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|Major League Baseball All-Star Game]]. [[Hank Aaron]] hit a home run during the game, and the National League won it, 4–3, in 10 innings.
* On April 8, 1974, [[Hank Aaron]] became baseball's all-time career [[home run]] leader by hitting his 715th home run off the [[1974 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Los Angeles Dodgers]]' [[Al Downing (baseball)|Al Downing]].
* On April 8, 1974, [[Hank Aaron]] became baseball's all-time career [[home run]] leader by hitting his 715th home run off the [[1974 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Los Angeles Dodgers]]' [[Al Downing (baseball)|Al Downing]].
* During a series between the Braves and the [[1984 San Diego Padres season|San Diego Padres]], one game spawned several brawls between the two teams. On August 12, 1984, Braves pitcher [[Pascual Pérez (baseball)|Pascual Pérez]] hit the Padres' [[Alan Wiggins]] with a pitch; Wiggins did not charge the mound, but the Padres vowed revenge on Pérez for his actions (several Padres were ejected in their subsequent attempts to hit Pérez). When Pérez was finally hit, by a pitch thrown by the Padres' [[Craig Lefferts]], the first of many bench-clearing brawls began. By the time the game was over, both teams' lineups had been nearly emptied (due to all the ejections on both sides).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nctimes.com/sports/baseball/professional/mlb/padres/article_e308dd18-6149-5a9f-beb7-1d02fe053267.html |title=PADRES: Summer Hit |access-date=December 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418201503/http://www.nctimes.com/sports/baseball/professional/mlb/padres/article_e308dd18-6149-5a9f-beb7-1d02fe053267.html |archive-date=April 18, 2010 }}</ref>
* [[1984 Braves–Padres bean brawl]]: During a series between the Braves and the [[1984 San Diego Padres season|San Diego Padres]], one game spawned several brawls between the two teams. On August 12, 1984, Braves pitcher [[Pascual Pérez (baseball)|Pascual Pérez]] hit the Padres' [[Alan Wiggins]] with a pitch; Wiggins did not charge the mound, but the Padres vowed revenge on Pérez for his actions (several Padres were ejected in their subsequent attempts to hit Pérez). When Pérez was finally hit, by a pitch thrown by the Padres' [[Craig Lefferts]], the first of many bench-clearing brawls began. By the time the game was over, both teams' lineups had been nearly emptied (due to all the ejections on both sides).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nctimes.com/sports/baseball/professional/mlb/padres/article_e308dd18-6149-5a9f-beb7-1d02fe053267.html |title=PADRES: Summer Hit |access-date=December 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418201503/http://www.nctimes.com/sports/baseball/professional/mlb/padres/article_e308dd18-6149-5a9f-beb7-1d02fe053267.html |archive-date=April 18, 2010 }}</ref>
* On July 6, 1986, [[Bob Horner]] became the eleventh player in Major League Baseball history to hit four home runs in a single game.
* The stadium hosted the [[World Series]] for the first time in [[1991 World Series|1991]] when the Braves played the [[1991 Minnesota Twins season|Minnesota Twins]] in what [[ESPN]] judged to be the best World Series ever played.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/swf/mlb/anniversary/worldseries100.html|title=ESPN: WORLD SERIES 100th ANNIVERSARY|website=espn.go.com}}</ref> The Braves won all three games played in Atlanta, two in their final at-bat, but lost the series in seven games.
* The stadium hosted the [[World Series]] for the first time in [[1991 World Series|1991]] when the Braves played the [[1991 Minnesota Twins season|Minnesota Twins]] in what [[ESPN]] judged to be the best World Series ever played.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/swf/mlb/anniversary/worldseries100.html|title=ESPN: WORLD SERIES 100th ANNIVERSARY|website=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> The Braves won all three games played in Atlanta, two in their final at-bat, but lost the series in seven games.
* The [[1992 World Series]] saw the Braves play the [[1992 Toronto Blue Jays season|Toronto Blue Jays]] with the Blue Jays defeating the Braves four games to two, including two of three in Atlanta.
* The [[1992 World Series]] saw the Braves play the [[1992 Toronto Blue Jays season|Toronto Blue Jays]] with the Blue Jays defeating the Braves four games to two, including two of three in Atlanta.
* On July 20, 1993, a fire occurred in the stadium press box during batting practice for that evening's game against the [[1993 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis Cardinals]]. This fire occurred on the same day [[Fred McGriff]] joined the Braves.
* On July 20, 1993, a fire occurred in the stadium press box during batting practice for that evening's game against the [[1993 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis Cardinals]]. This fire occurred on the same day [[Fred McGriff]] joined the Braves.
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* September 23, 1996, marked the stadium's final regular season game as the Braves played host to the [[1996 Montreal Expos season|Montreal Expos]]. Atlanta won the game 3–1 and clinched the NL Eastern Division title in the process.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/1996-schedule-scores.shtml|title=1996 Atlanta Braves Schedule - Baseball-Reference.com|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref>
* September 23, 1996, marked the stadium's final regular season game as the Braves played host to the [[1996 Montreal Expos season|Montreal Expos]]. Atlanta won the game 3–1 and clinched the NL Eastern Division title in the process.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/1996-schedule-scores.shtml|title=1996 Atlanta Braves Schedule - Baseball-Reference.com|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref>
* The stadium's final event was Game 5 of the [[1996 World Series]], when the Braves played host to the [[1996 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]]. The final score was 1–0 in favor of the Yankees, with the ballpark's final run scored by [[Charlie Hayes]]. The final [[ceremonial first pitch]] was thrown to [[Eddie Perez (baseball)|Eddie Perez]] by former President [[Jimmy Carter]], who had done the honors at Braves home openers while still [[Governor of Georgia]]. The winning pitcher was New York's [[Andy Pettitte]], defeating the Braves' [[John Smoltz]]. The final hit was recorded by Atlanta's [[Chipper Jones]], who doubled off Pettitte in the bottom of the ninth inning. Pinch-hitter [[Luis Polonia]] was the final out in Fulton County Stadium's history, hitting a deep fly ball to right-center field caught by Yankees right fielder [[Paul O'Neill (baseball)|Paul O'Neill]], which gave the stadium's final save to [[John Wetteland]]. (Since no home runs were hit in that game the final home run in the stadium's history belongs to [[Jim Leyritz]], who hit a 3-run home run in Game 4. Leyritz was also Pettitte's batterymate for Game 5.)
* The stadium's final event was Game 5 of the [[1996 World Series]], when the Braves played host to the [[1996 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]]. The final score was 1–0 in favor of the Yankees, with the ballpark's final run scored by [[Charlie Hayes]]. The final [[ceremonial first pitch]] was thrown to [[Eddie Perez (baseball)|Eddie Perez]] by former President [[Jimmy Carter]], who had done the honors at Braves home openers while still [[Governor of Georgia]]. The winning pitcher was New York's [[Andy Pettitte]], defeating the Braves' [[John Smoltz]]. The final hit was recorded by Atlanta's [[Chipper Jones]], who doubled off Pettitte in the bottom of the ninth inning. Pinch-hitter [[Luis Polonia]] was the final out in Fulton County Stadium's history, hitting a deep fly ball to right-center field caught by Yankees right fielder [[Paul O'Neill (baseball)|Paul O'Neill]], which gave the stadium's final save to [[John Wetteland]]. (Since no home runs were hit in that game the final home run in the stadium's history belongs to [[Jim Leyritz]], who hit a 3-run home run in Game 4. Leyritz was also Pettitte's batterymate for Game 5.)
For the 1996 summer Olympics, the stadium was the primary venue for baseball.


===Football===
===Football===
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|-
|-
| September 22, 1973 || [[Elton John]] || [[Sutherland Brothers & Quiver]] || Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Tour || — || — ||
| September 22, 1973 || [[Elton John]] || [[Sutherland Brothers & Quiver]] || Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Tour || — || — ||
|-
| August 5, 1974 || [[Marvin Gaye]] || - || Let's Get It On Tour || - || - ||
|-
|-
| June 5, 1976 || [[ZZ Top]] || [[Marshall Tucker Band]]<br>[[Elvin Bishop]] || [[Worldwide Texas Tour]] || 45,000 / 65,000 || $425,000 ||
| June 5, 1976 || [[ZZ Top]] || [[Marshall Tucker Band]]<br>[[Elvin Bishop]] || [[Worldwide Texas Tour]] || 45,000 / 65,000 || $425,000 ||
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==Layout==
==Layout==
[[File:Atlanta Stadium football configuration.png|thumb|220x220px|The layout used for football games]]
The stadium was relatively nondescript, one of the many [[multi-purpose stadium]]s built during the 1960s and 1970s, similar to [[Veterans Stadium]], [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium|RFK Stadium]], the [[Astrodome]], [[Three Rivers Stadium]], [[Busch Memorial Stadium]], [[Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum]] and [[Riverfront Stadium]].
The stadium was relatively nondescript, one of the many [[multi-purpose stadium]]s built during the 1960s and 1970s, similar to [[Veterans Stadium]], [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium|RFK Stadium]], the [[Astrodome]], [[Three Rivers Stadium]], [[Busch Memorial Stadium]], [[Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum]] and [[Riverfront Stadium]].


As was the case for every stadium that used this design concept, the fundamentally different sizes and shapes of baseball and football fields made it inadequate for both sports. In the baseball configuration, 70% of the seats were in foul territory.<ref name="Storied"/> In the football configuration, seats on the 50-yard-line—normally prime seats for football—were more than {{convert|50|yd|m}} away from the sidelines.<ref>Reilly, Rick. [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1067824/index.htm Peach State Lemons]. ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'', October 3, 1988.</ref> One unusual feature of this stadium is the fact that, unlike most multi-purpose stadiums – where the football field was laid either parallel to one of the foul lines or running from home plate to center field – the football field here was laid along a line running between first and third base. [[Oakland Coliseum|Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum]] has a similar configuration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stadiumsofprofootball.com/past/atlfbaer.jpg|format=JPG|title=Aerial photograph of stadium|website=Stadiumsofprofootball.com|access-date=July 12, 2018}}</ref> Thus, a seat behind home plate for baseball would also be on the 50-yard line for football. The stadium was refurbished for the 1996 season prior to hosting the [[1996 Summer Olympics|Olympic]] [[Baseball at the 1996 Summer Olympics|baseball]] competition.<ref>[http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1996/1996v1.pdf 1996 Summer Olympics official report.] Volume 1. p. 539.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927222634/http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1996/1996v3.pdf 1996 Summer Olympics official report.] Volume 3. p. 450.</ref>
As was the case for every stadium that used this design concept, the fundamentally different sizes and shapes of baseball and football fields made it inadequate for both sports. In the baseball configuration, 70% of the seats were in foul territory.<ref name="Storied"/> In the football configuration, seats on the 50-yard-line—normally prime seats for football—were more than {{convert|50|yd|m}} away from the sidelines.<ref>Reilly, Rick. [https://web.archive.org/web/20121026135410/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1067824/index.htm Peach State Lemons]. ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'', October 3, 1988.</ref> One unusual feature of this stadium is the fact that, unlike most multi-purpose stadiums – where the football field was laid either parallel to one of the foul lines or running from home plate to center field – the football field here was laid along a line running between first and third base. [[Oakland Coliseum|Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum]] has a similar configuration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stadiumsofprofootball.com/past/atlfbaer.jpg|format=JPG|title=Aerial photograph of stadium|website=Stadiumsofprofootball.com|access-date=July 12, 2018}}</ref> Thus, a seat behind home plate for baseball would also be on the 50-yard line for football. The stadium was refurbished for the 1996 season prior to hosting the [[1996 Summer Olympics|Olympic]] [[Baseball at the 1996 Summer Olympics|baseball]] competition.<ref>[http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1996/1996v1.pdf 1996 Summer Olympics official report.] Volume 1. p. 539.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927222634/http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1996/1996v3.pdf 1996 Summer Olympics official report.] Volume 3. p. 450.</ref>


Unlike similarly designed outdoor stadiums—such as Riverfront Stadium and Busch Memorial Stadium—Fulton County Stadium always had a natural grass surface. However, for many years it was notorious for its poor field conditions.<ref name=Cathedrals/> Until 1989, it didn't have full-time groundskeepers. Instead, it was tended to by a municipal street-maintenance crew.<ref>[http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/national/fulton.htm Stadium profile] at Ballparks.com</ref>
Unlike similarly designed outdoor stadiums—such as Riverfront Stadium and Busch Memorial Stadium—Fulton County Stadium always had a natural grass surface. However, for many years it was notorious for its poor field conditions.<ref name=Cathedrals/> Until 1989, it didn't have full-time groundskeepers. Instead, it was tended to by a municipal street-maintenance crew.<ref>[http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/national/fulton.htm Stadium profile] at Ballparks.com</ref>


Due to the [[elevation]] of the Atlanta area (situated at the foothills of the [[Appalachian Mountains]]), the stadium boasted the highest elevation in baseball when it opened, at {{convert|1050|ft|-1}} above [[sea level]]. It retained this distinction for 27 seasons, until the expansion [[Colorado Rockies]] entered the National League in [[1993 Colorado Rockies season|1993]]. The high elevation and the Southern summer heat made it favorable to home run hitters, resulting in the nickname "The Launching Pad."<ref name=Cathedrals>{{cite book |last=Lowry|first=Phillip|title=Green Cathedrals|url=https://archive.org/details/greencathedralsu0000lowr_u1c9|url-access=registration|year=2005|publisher=Walker & Company|location=New York City|isbn=0-8027-1562-1}}</ref> Until the [[Miami Marlins|Florida Marlins]] arrived (also in [[1993 Florida Marlins season|1993]]), the stadium was the hottest in the majors.
Due to the elevation of the Atlanta area (situated at the foothills of the [[Appalachian Mountains]]), the stadium boasted the highest elevation in baseball when it opened, at {{convert|1050|ft|-1}} above sea level. It retained this distinction for 27 seasons, until the expansion [[Colorado Rockies]] entered the National League in [[1993 Colorado Rockies season|1993]]. The high elevation and the Southern summer heat made it favorable to home run hitters, resulting in the nickname "The Launching Pad."<ref name=Cathedrals>{{cite book |last=Lowry|first=Phillip|title=Green Cathedrals|url=https://archive.org/details/greencathedralsu0000lowr_u1c9|url-access=registration|year=2005|publisher=Walker & Company|location=New York City|isbn=0-8027-1562-1}}</ref> Until the [[Miami Marlins|Florida Marlins]] arrived (also in [[1993 Florida Marlins season|1993]]), the stadium was the hottest in the majors.


Fulton County Stadium was designed by a joint-venture team of [[FABRAP]] (Finch Alexander Barnes Rothschild & Paschal) and [[Heery International|Heery, Inc]].<ref name="newGaEncyc">{{cite web |url=http://www.newgeorgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-2991 | title=Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium |publisher=Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press |website=newgeorgiaencyclopedia.org |date=August 4, 2006 |access-date=June 18, 2012 |author=Fenster, Kenneth R}}</ref>
Fulton County Stadium was designed by a joint-venture team of [[FABRAP]] (Finch Alexander Barnes Rothschild & Paschal) and [[Heery International|Heery, Inc]].<ref name="newGaEncyc">{{cite web |url=http://www.newgeorgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-2991 | title=Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium |publisher=Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press |website=newgeorgiaencyclopedia.org |date=August 4, 2006 |access-date=June 18, 2012 |author=Fenster, Kenneth R}}</ref>
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|-
|-
! scope="row" style="{{Baseball secondary style|Atlanta Braves}};"|1985
! scope="row" style="{{Baseball secondary style|Atlanta Braves}};"|1985
| 53,046<ref>{{cite news |title=National League|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1985-06-02/sports/0300290191_1_cleveland-cleveland-astrodome-oakland|newspaper=[[Orlando Sentinel]]|date=June 2, 1985|access-date=August 19, 2013|page=C7}}</ref>
| 53,046<ref>{{cite news |title=National League|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1985-06-02/sports/0300290191_1_cleveland-cleveland-astrodome-oakland|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513170443/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1985-06-02/sports/0300290191_1_cleveland-cleveland-astrodome-oakland|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 13, 2015|newspaper=[[Orlando Sentinel]]|date=June 2, 1985|access-date=August 19, 2013|page=C7}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="{{Baseball secondary style|Atlanta Braves}};"|1986
! scope="row" style="{{Baseball secondary style|Atlanta Braves}};"|1986

Latest revision as of 22:17, 20 November 2024

Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium
The Launching Pad
The House that Aaron Built
circa late 1960s-early 1970s
Map
Former namesAtlanta Stadium (1965–1975)
Location521 Capitol Avenue SE
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Coordinates33°44′20″N 84°23′20″W / 33.739°N 84.389°W / 33.739; -84.389
OwnerCity of Atlanta and
Fulton County
OperatorCity of Atlanta and
Fulton County
CapacityBaseball: 52,007
Football: 60,606
Field size1966–68 & 1974–96
Left field – 330 ft (101 m)
Left-Center – 385 ft (117 m)
Center Field – 402 ft (123 m)
Right-Center – 385 ft (117 m)
Right Field – 330 ft (101 m)

1969–1972
Left field – 330 ft (101 m)
Left-Center – 375 ft (114 m)
Center Field – 402 ft (123 m)
Right-Center – 375 ft (114 m)
Right Field – 330 ft (101 m)

1973
Left field – 330 ft (101 m)
Left-Center – 375 ft (114 m)
Center Field – 402 ft (123 m)
Right-Center – 385 ft (117 m)
Right Field – 330 ft (101 m)
SurfaceNatural grass
Construction
Broke groundApril 15, 1964; 60 years ago (1964-04-15)
OpenedApril 9, 1965; 59 years ago (1965-04-09) [1]
ClosedOctober 24, 1996; 28 years ago (1996-10-24)
DemolishedAugust 2, 1997; 27 years ago (1997-08-02)
Construction costUS$18 million
($174 million in 2024 [2])
ArchitectHeery & Heery
FABRAP[1]
Structural engineerPrybyloski & Gravino[3]
Services engineerLazenby & Borum[3]
General contractorThompson-Street Co.[3][4]
Tenants
Atlanta Crackers (IL) (1965)
Atlanta Braves (MLB) (1966–96)
Atlanta Falcons (NFL) (1966–91)
Atlanta Chiefs (NASL) (1967–69, 1971–72, 1979–81)
Peach Bowl (NCAA) (1971–92)

Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, often referred to as Fulton County Stadium and originally named Atlanta Stadium, was a multi-purpose stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia. The stadium was home of the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball from 1966 until 1996 and the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League from 1966 until 1991. It was built to attract an MLB team and in 1966 succeeded when the Milwaukee Braves relocated from Wisconsin.

The Braves and expansion Falcons shared the venue for 26 years, until the Falcons moved into the newly completed Georgia Dome in 1992. The Braves continued to play at the stadium for another five years, then moved into Turner Field in 1997, the converted Centennial Olympic Stadium built for the previous year's Summer Olympics. Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium hosted baseball events. Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium was demolished on August 2, 1997.

History

[edit]
Aerial view of the stadium with the Atlanta skyline and the Interstate 20/75 interchange.
Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in July 1985.

During his 1961 campaign for mayor of Atlanta, Ivan Allen Jr. promised to build a sports facility to attract a Major League Baseball team. After winning office, Allen chose a 47-acre (19 ha) plot in the Washington–Rawson neighborhood for the building site, citing its proximity to the state capitol, downtown businesses, and major highways. Allen and The Atlanta Journal sports editor Furman Bisher attempted to persuade Charlie Finley, owner of the Kansas City Athletics, to move his team to Atlanta. Finley was receptive and began discussing stadium design plans with Allen. However, the deal ended in July 1963 when the American League did not approve the move.[1]

In 1964, Mayor Allen announced that an unidentified team had given him a verbal commitment to move to Atlanta, provided a stadium was in place by 1966. Soon afterward, the prospective team was revealed to be the Milwaukee Braves, who announced in October that they intended to move to Atlanta for the 1965 season. However, court battles kept the Braves in Milwaukee for one last season.[5]

Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium during a Falcons game, 1991.

The new stadium was built on the site of the cleared Washington–Rawson neighborhood, which a half-century before had been a wealthy neighborhood home to Georgia's governor, among others, but which by the 1960s had fallen on hard times. Forty-seven dignitaries took part in a groundbreaking ceremony on April 15, 1964,[6] and that November, the Braves signed a 25-year agreement to play there, beginning in 1966.[7] Construction was completed on April 9, 1965, for $18 million, and that night the Milwaukee Braves and Detroit Tigers played an exhibition game in the stadium.[1][8] During that year the International League's Atlanta Crackers, whose previous home had been Ponce de Leon Park, played their final season in Atlanta Stadium. On August 18, 1965, the Beatles performed a concert at Atlanta Stadium.

In 1966, both the National League's transplanted Braves and the National Football League's Atlanta Falcons, an expansion team, began to use the facilities. In 1967, the Atlanta Chiefs of the National Professional Soccer League (re-formed as the North American Soccer League in 1968) began the first of five seasons played at the stadium.[9] The venue hosted the second match of the NASL Final 1968 and two matches of the NASL Final 1971.

On February 11, 1975, the stadium's name was changed to the compound Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium after the county threatened to withdraw its financial support.[10] However, the official website of the Atlanta Braves maintains that the name change occurred after Ted Turner purchased the team in 1976.[11]

The Falcons moved to the Georgia Dome in 1992, while the Braves remained until Centennial Olympic Stadium from the 1996 Summer Olympics was converted into Turner Field, which was completed just prior to the start of the 1997 season. The stadium sat 60,606 for football and 52,007 for baseball. The baseball competition for the 1996 Summer Olympics was held at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium while the Braves were on a three-week road trip.

Demolition

[edit]
Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium being demolished after implosion circa 1997.
The site where Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium once stood is now a parking lot for Turner Field.
Plaque commemorating the location of Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium's home plate, now in Turner Field's parking lot.
The fence and wall display in the center of the picture commemorates the spot at which Hank Aaron's 715th home run landed on April 8, 1974.

Following the Olympics and the 1996 World Series, Fulton County commissioner, Marvin S. Arrington Sr., wanted to preserve the stadium as the home of a future Major League Soccer franchise and share the parking facilities between it and Turner Field but he was unable to push it through.[12]

On April 4, 1997, home plate was removed from Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium and taken to Turner Field, where it was installed by Hank Aaron in the new stadium.[13] Afterwards, demolition of the old stadium began. Between spring and summer 1997, the inside of the stadium was demolished. The stadium was imploded on August 2, 1997; the remains were later removed and demolished. A parking lot, built for Turner Field now stands on the site, with an outline of the old stadium built in. The monument that marked the landing point of Hank Aaron's historic 715th home run stands in the same place it did when the stadium was on the site.

The outfield fence was donated to the Georgia State Baseball Complex and installed prior to the 1998 season.[14]

Redevelopment

[edit]

Upon the Atlanta Braves' move to Truist Park in suburban Cobb County after the 2016 season, the stadium site and the adjacent Turner Field were purchased by Georgia State University in 2016, with final approval from the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia on November 9 of that year. Turner Field was renovated into Center Parc Stadium for the Panthers football team,[15] while new baseball and softball parks are planned for the former Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium site.[16] In May 2024, The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia approved the construction of a new baseball stadium on the site, with completion planned in time for the start of the 2026 season.[17]

The site is currently a parking lot for Center Parc Stadium.

Notable events

[edit]

Baseball

[edit]
  • On April 12, 1966, Joe Torre hit the first major league home run in the history of Atlanta Stadium.[18]
  • On July 25, 1972, the stadium hosted the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Hank Aaron hit a home run during the game, and the National League won it, 4–3, in 10 innings.
  • On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron became baseball's all-time career home run leader by hitting his 715th home run off the Los Angeles Dodgers' Al Downing.
  • 1984 Braves–Padres bean brawl: During a series between the Braves and the San Diego Padres, one game spawned several brawls between the two teams. On August 12, 1984, Braves pitcher Pascual Pérez hit the Padres' Alan Wiggins with a pitch; Wiggins did not charge the mound, but the Padres vowed revenge on Pérez for his actions (several Padres were ejected in their subsequent attempts to hit Pérez). When Pérez was finally hit, by a pitch thrown by the Padres' Craig Lefferts, the first of many bench-clearing brawls began. By the time the game was over, both teams' lineups had been nearly emptied (due to all the ejections on both sides).[19]
  • On July 6, 1986, Bob Horner became the eleventh player in Major League Baseball history to hit four home runs in a single game.
  • The stadium hosted the World Series for the first time in 1991 when the Braves played the Minnesota Twins in what ESPN judged to be the best World Series ever played.[20] The Braves won all three games played in Atlanta, two in their final at-bat, but lost the series in seven games.
  • The 1992 World Series saw the Braves play the Toronto Blue Jays with the Blue Jays defeating the Braves four games to two, including two of three in Atlanta.
  • On July 20, 1993, a fire occurred in the stadium press box during batting practice for that evening's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. This fire occurred on the same day Fred McGriff joined the Braves.
  • On October 10, 1995, the Braves clinched the 1995 NLDS the 1st team to win a Division Series since the NLDS format in the playoff system began that same year. They defeated the Colorado Rockies 3 games to 1, with the decisive win at home.
  • On October 28, 1995, the Braves clinched the 1995 World Series by defeating the Cleveland Indians, 1–0, on a one-hit, 8-inning performance by pitcher Tom Glavine. The title was the Braves' first World Series championship in Atlanta, making one title in each of the three cities in which they have resided (also Boston and Milwaukee).
  • September 23, 1996, marked the stadium's final regular season game as the Braves played host to the Montreal Expos. Atlanta won the game 3–1 and clinched the NL Eastern Division title in the process.[21]
  • The stadium's final event was Game 5 of the 1996 World Series, when the Braves played host to the New York Yankees. The final score was 1–0 in favor of the Yankees, with the ballpark's final run scored by Charlie Hayes. The final ceremonial first pitch was thrown to Eddie Perez by former President Jimmy Carter, who had done the honors at Braves home openers while still Governor of Georgia. The winning pitcher was New York's Andy Pettitte, defeating the Braves' John Smoltz. The final hit was recorded by Atlanta's Chipper Jones, who doubled off Pettitte in the bottom of the ninth inning. Pinch-hitter Luis Polonia was the final out in Fulton County Stadium's history, hitting a deep fly ball to right-center field caught by Yankees right fielder Paul O'Neill, which gave the stadium's final save to John Wetteland. (Since no home runs were hit in that game the final home run in the stadium's history belongs to Jim Leyritz, who hit a 3-run home run in Game 4. Leyritz was also Pettitte's batterymate for Game 5.)

For the 1996 summer Olympics, the stadium was the primary venue for baseball.

Football

[edit]

Concerts

[edit]
Date Artist Opening act(s) Tour / Concert name Attendance Revenue Notes
August 18, 1965 The Beatles King Curtis
Cannibal and the Headhunters
Brenda Holloway
Sounds Incorporated
1965 US Tour This is the band's only concert in Atlanta.
May 4, 1973 Led Zeppelin 1973 North American Tour 49,233 It was estimated that of the 49,233 people in attendance, about 16,000 of them sat on the field making it the largest single musical performance in the history of the state.
September 22, 1973 Elton John Sutherland Brothers & Quiver Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Tour
August 5, 1974 Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On Tour - -
June 5, 1976 ZZ Top Marshall Tucker Band
Elvin Bishop
Worldwide Texas Tour 45,000 / 65,000 $425,000
August 29, 1976 Kiss Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band
Johnny & Edgar Winter
Blue Öyster Cult
38 Special
Destroyer Tour
October 26 & 27, 1984 The Jacksons Victory Tour 61,000 $1,960,000
October 20, 1988 George Michael The Bangles Faith World Tour

Other events

[edit]

Layout

[edit]
The layout used for football games

The stadium was relatively nondescript, one of the many multi-purpose stadiums built during the 1960s and 1970s, similar to Veterans Stadium, RFK Stadium, the Astrodome, Three Rivers Stadium, Busch Memorial Stadium, Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum and Riverfront Stadium.

As was the case for every stadium that used this design concept, the fundamentally different sizes and shapes of baseball and football fields made it inadequate for both sports. In the baseball configuration, 70% of the seats were in foul territory.[5] In the football configuration, seats on the 50-yard-line—normally prime seats for football—were more than 50 yards (46 m) away from the sidelines.[24] One unusual feature of this stadium is the fact that, unlike most multi-purpose stadiums – where the football field was laid either parallel to one of the foul lines or running from home plate to center field – the football field here was laid along a line running between first and third base. Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum has a similar configuration.[25] Thus, a seat behind home plate for baseball would also be on the 50-yard line for football. The stadium was refurbished for the 1996 season prior to hosting the Olympic baseball competition.[26][27]

Unlike similarly designed outdoor stadiums—such as Riverfront Stadium and Busch Memorial Stadium—Fulton County Stadium always had a natural grass surface. However, for many years it was notorious for its poor field conditions.[28] Until 1989, it didn't have full-time groundskeepers. Instead, it was tended to by a municipal street-maintenance crew.[29]

Due to the elevation of the Atlanta area (situated at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains), the stadium boasted the highest elevation in baseball when it opened, at 1,050 feet (320 m) above sea level. It retained this distinction for 27 seasons, until the expansion Colorado Rockies entered the National League in 1993. The high elevation and the Southern summer heat made it favorable to home run hitters, resulting in the nickname "The Launching Pad."[28] Until the Florida Marlins arrived (also in 1993), the stadium was the hottest in the majors.

Fulton County Stadium was designed by a joint-venture team of FABRAP (Finch Alexander Barnes Rothschild & Paschal) and Heery, Inc.[1]

Seating capacity

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Fenster, Kenneth R (August 4, 2006). "Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium". newgeorgiaencyclopedia.org. Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
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[edit]
Events and tenants
Preceded by
First stadium
Home of the
Atlanta Falcons

1966–1991
Succeeded by
Preceded by Home of the
Atlanta Braves

1966–1996
Succeeded by
Preceded by Home of the
Peach Bowl

1971–1991
Succeeded by
Preceded by Host of the All-Star Game
1972
Succeeded by