If you’re an Atlanta Falcons fan looking to get some popcorn and a hot dog at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, you won’t have to spend a small fortune to get it.
While stadium prices are notoriously high, Falcons owner Arthur Blank announced on Monday that prices at the team’s new stadium will be the lowest in all of the four major professional sports.
The prices are legit. As part of the “fan first menu pricing,” $2 will get you a non-alcoholic beverage with free refills, popcorn or a hot dog, $3 will get you nachos and $5 will get you a cold beer. Considering the absurd prices at other sports venues, Falcons fans will be able to eat and drink at a reasonable cost. As Steve Cannon, CEO of the AMB Group told ESPN’s Darren Rovell, the new pricing will “be able to feed a family of four at our games for $27.” That’s great for fans.
The announcement said Mercedes-Benz Stadium has implemented 65 percent more concession points-of-sale, added self-serve soda machines, increased kitchen capacity and changed pricing to whole-dollar. Those additions should mean fewer lines and shorter wait times.
In an official press release making the announcement, the Falcons said food and beverage was the third-most important thing on a list of game-day satisfaction among fans. Owner Arthur Blank said by lowering the prices, they’re providing fans with a better game-day experience.
“We focused from the beginning on building a unique fan experience at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a goal of helping those who visit to leave the stadium with great memories shared with family and friends, not aggravation and frustration about their experience,” said Falcons and Atlanta United owner, Arthur M. Blank. “We have listened to the concerns of the fans on the food and beverage experience and have responded to those concerns in a way that honors our commitment to providing the best possible fan experience at our events.”
It’s a smart play for the Falcons, who were making the unpopular move of building a new stadium when the Georgia Dome (built less than 25 years ago) still seemed perfectly suitable. More fans may buy tickets knowing that food and beverages are reasonable. Hopefully, more pro sports teams follow in suit because food and beverage pricing at sporting events are ridiculous.
[ESPN]
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