By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | September 8, 2025

Long before the coin toss and the first kick-off inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium (MBS), Falcons fans have already claimed their sanctuary. For many in the city, tailgating isn’t just a pastime — it’s a ritual.

When the stadium opened its Home Depot Backyard in 2019, Harry Hynekamp, vice president of fan experience for AMB Sports and Entertainment, put it plainly: “We want to be known throughout the NFL as the toughest place for an opponent to come and play.” That toughness starts outside, where thousands gather in red and black.

The Roots of Tailgating

It’s a tradition that transcends time and space, uniting Falcons fans in a unique bond of camaraderie and shared passion. The American Tailgate Association traces the first gathering back to 1861 at the Battle of Bull Run, where civilians hauled food and booze to the sidelines. A gentler origin credits Yale football in the early 1900s, when fans traveling by bus and train arrived early with baskets and grills. Either way, the tradition has grown into something much bigger — a cultural force, especially in the South.

A Religion in the A

In Atlanta, tailgating is not just a pre-game ritual, it’s a celebration of the Falcons spirit. By 6:00 a.m., the lots are alive with the sizzle of ribs and the aroma of chicken wings. Fans eagerly line up outside the Home Depot Backyard, ready for a day of music, drumlines, cheerleaders, Freddie Falcon, and giveaways. The atmosphere is charged with excitement, as fans of all ages come together for a day of fun and football.

Stories from the Lots

On Sunday, September 7, before the Falcons’ 23-20 season-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, fans from all walks of life made their way to the Backyard and the designated lots surrounding the MBS. Corrie M. and her mother, Ivey L., came up from Eastman to cheer cousin Michael Pinnix as he suited up for the first time in a Falcons jersey.

AD, with the Lights Out Tailgators, have been posted up 15 years strong. “It’s about family, food, and fun,” he said.

Reggie Watson, a season ticket holder for 34 years, helps lead the Tailgators 4 Lyfe crew, a group of 50 regulars who run their tailgate like a small business, collecting dues and organizing off-season events. “We are here for each other and the fun of it all.”

For others, it’s about innovation. Bryant Barnes rolled in with EventBox ATL, a tricked-out 20-foot shipping container transformed into a luxury lounge with TVs, a rooftop bar, karaoke station, and Wi-Fi, cell phone charging stations — big enough for 50 people. “We’re taking tailgating to the next level,” he said.

Small businesses thrive, too. Kisha, owner of Bartender To You, sets up her mobile bar at every home game. Randy, a barber from Mableton, has been tailgating for three years. Byron proudly introduced his toddler son to the family tradition this season.

Food, Faith, and Falcons

What makes tailgating in Atlanta unique is the mix: charcoal-grilled chicken, ribs, cold beer, whiskey, tequila shots, lounge chairs, DJ jamming, and even axe-throwing contests. It’s folding chairs sinking into the dirt, kids learning the Dirty Bird dance. It’s family. It’s a fellowship, a melting pot of Southern food, community pride, and Dirty Birds loyalty.

For Falcons fans, the tailgate is as essential as kickoff. And whether the Falcons win or fall short, the gospel keeps getting preached outside MBS every Sunday: the church of tailgate is alive and well.

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