The Atlanta Falcons are planning a Mercedes-Benz Stadium turf replacement, and intend to complete the project before the 2019 NFL season.
Since its opening in 2017, Mercedes-Benz Stadium has been an active venue. In addition to hosting the Falcons, the stadium is also home to MLS’s Atlanta United FC and has staged several high-profile events–including Super Bowl LIII last Sunday and last year’s College Football National Championship Game.
In the coming months, the original playing surface at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be replaced, part of a plan to install new turf every couple of years to account for the field’s high usage. The roughly $700,000 project will be completed during United’s season, and before the Falcons begin play later this year. More from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
The plan is to use a “very similar but newer version” of turf from the same company, FieldTurf, that installed the current playing surface before the building opened in 2017, stadium general manager Scott Jenkins said.
The work, which will take about a week, will be scheduled before the start of the Falcons season and during the Atlanta United season, Jenkins said.
“We’re looking for an opening in the schedule,” he said.
Jenkins said the turf likely will be replaced every two years, in part for aesthetic reasons because of wear from the field being constantly repainted and rebranded for various events.
The Falcons will not be the only team replacing its playing surface during the NFL offseason. The Minnesota Vikings have already announced plans to replace the turf at U.S. Bank Stadium, and will do so before the 2019 season begins.
Image courtesy Mercedes-Benz Stadium.