ajcsportstalk

By HA

September 11, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this

First, you need to have a team that’s tail-gate worthy!!! And we all know it ain’t happening here!! Oh well………

By h_charles

September 11, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this

I’m surprised we are that high.

This has got to be the most pathetic tailgating town the US.

The dome is problem #1. Notice anything in common in the top 10? ALL have outdoor or retractable roofs. Can’t have a great tailgate atmosphere with games indoors becuase you are completely sealed off from the stadium atmosphere while outside.

Factor in the lackluster support, the awful stadium location, the pathetic performance of the team, and fans that don’t really care about the NFL, and you have a recipe for failure.

By BullDawg Rick

September 11, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this

I take it they have never been to the gulge? It’s a hapening place in the underground..

New Orleans #29? WTH… This is a bogus “survey”…

Green Bay #13?? For the NFL, this is the BESTEST place in the NFL…

Ofcourse tailgating in the NFL in NOTHING compared to college football ‘gating.. College football rules!!!

By Hal

September 11, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this

The attendants, as you entering the parking areas, are as rude as it gets. It’s not a good way to start a tailgate party. You are mad as you make your way to your parking spot. I imagine they are trained to treat the fans as cattle.

By ab

September 11, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this

Who needs the NFL when we have the SEC?

By Pepe

September 11, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this

Tailgating win/lose is the best part if you do it right. I don’t care what some Yankee says about my city. I tailgate and I have a great time…all it takes is a grill, cooler, football and friends. You Yankees can have all your fluff to help you enjoy the experience. Want some cheese with whine?

By ajp

September 11, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

atlanta is pathetic for tailgating. it is pretty surprising how bad we actually are considering on saturdays we can go all out when we go to visit athens, ga tech, auburn, etc.

By HA

September 11, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

lackluster support? from who? Is that the same support from fans who don’t care about the NFL? And how in all of hades do you know whether the fans care about the NFL or not?! It would be more accurate to say fans who don’t care about the team. And the location (in my opinion) doesn’t have a whole lot to do with tailgating or no tailgating. If the location is good enough to go see games there, it’s good enough for tailgating……..if folks wanted to. What would be better, Buckhead, or Alpharetta, or some little other little town where the people think they are better than everyone else? Please!!!! I do agree that an open stadium (or a retractable roof) would make the atmosphere more open to partying in the parking lot. There’s plenty of momentum……….just no team to lavish it on!

By David-ATL14

September 11, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

Surprised we’re that high. Should be lower, terrible team, absolute “joke of a stadium”. Whiny, frontrunning fans? Amazed that we rose to 28th.

By D

September 11, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this

surprised it’s that high too. the dome is horrible for football, when you have an open air stadium in football that plays in almost all weather, you get only the real fans, not some of those people that think it’s all for the kiddies, like baseball. and there has to be a decent parking lot area. the fact that teams have lost more than won here hurts tailgating too. but one of the major factors I’ve seen here that defeats good fan support is Atlanta’s traffic problem, after sitting in traffic all day or all week, the last thing most people want to do is get back in their cars again and drive to Atlanta. I also don’t like to go to the dome because of some of the people that work there, they are black people, they are from the inner city, they are not wealthy, and some of them seem to have a chip on their shoulder, like ordering white people around, and even seem jealous or envious of the affluent people that afford to come to the games. call me a racist all you want for saying what I’ve seen, but too many times Ive run into someone working at the dome that is rude, unhelpful, uncaring, or just plain drunk with power. I would very much like to see an open air stadium in the suburbs, andy suburb of Atlanta, but not centered in Atlanta.

By soundsaboutright

September 11, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this

This survey is dead-on about our tailgate atmosphere. Who wants to dodge syringes and diapers by the train tracks…or be hounded by panhandlers for hours before/after the game?

By Michael N.

September 11, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

“I don’t care what some Yankee says about my city.”….Dude, c’mon.You know how stupid that sounds! Why are some people down here still fighting the civil war? Hey, memo to you, the war is over, move on!!! Come join everyone else in the 21st century. Anyway, Atlanta needs to get rid of the dome. Awful atmosphere for football…hardly any spots to tailgate..I’m actually surprised it wasn’t last. Don’t know much about Seattle’s situation but can’t believe it’s worse than Atlanta’s.

By dome

September 11, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

Take the top off the Dome!

By Chase

September 11, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this

Of course professional football tailgating isn’t that great in Atlanta. College football rules here. Plenty of the potential Sunday tailgaters are too hung over from tailgating on Saturday to waste their time with a mediocre pro team.

By anotherdamnjack

September 11, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this

Our group comes to a Falcons game once a year. We make the trek from Charleston, SC. We make frogmore stew (shrimp, corn-on-the-cob-hillshire farm sausage). The folks around us are amazed at the size and quanity shrimp we use. That week-end we are there, Atlanta jumps up to # 1!!!!!!

By Roswell Ed

September 11, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this

I have tailgated in Detroit, New Orleans, Chicago, Charlotte, Cleveland, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Oakland, Kansas City, Miami, and Atlanta.

How can Pittsburgh be that low? You talk about passion. Those folks start at day bust 30 and go into the night.

If KC is #8 then I really need to go to the other 7. I’ve never experienced any tailgate like KCs.

You see nothing for miles except the two stadiums and thousands of fans and cars draped in KC colors. Few trees, no buildings and 80,000 people eating, drinking and having a great time.

There is a fog that emanates from the lot that is caused by over 10,000 grills. It’s an amazing sight.

I was wearing my Falcons gear. Something I’d not do at a lot of other places and everyone was extremely nice.

WE GOT OUR A*******ES WHIPPED THAT DAY!!

Atlanta, my home town, is too cookie cutter. The lots are all spread out and there is no sense of one big party.

I’ve tailgated there many times and now we tailgate at the Inman Park Marta station and catch the train down. That’s how little I regard the Falcon’s tailgate experience.

GO FALCONS!!

By O-Gee

September 11, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this

yes, this is correct. atlanta, from all other perspectives except atlanta’s own view, sucks. but you should try our bbq’ed pit bull.

By Bill

September 11, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this

Maybe for NFL football tailgating, but come out to the Gulch prior to a weekend Thrashers game - we rule the NHL when it comes to tailgate parties!

www.nastynest.net/tailgate

By Jeff

September 11, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this

I totally agree with ATL being that low. The is no good place to tailgate downtown. There is maybe one good parking lot. Add in that the Dome isn’t exactly in the best neighborhood and the Falcons are underachieving and you have an equation for poor tailgaiting. Go to Athens if you want a good tailgate. Go Dawgs!!

By FalconManiac

September 11, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

The Ga Dome has the worst tailgating environment I’ve ever been to, college or pro. Limited spaces, rude cops and employees, hard to park…you name it.
The Ga Dome and Falcons never learn, and just raise prices every year for a mediocre product. I will not go back until they improve things down there.

By Steamboat

September 11, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

Come to Athens for real tailgating.

By HA

September 11, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

I knew it wouldn’t be long before this turned into a race issue. And whites are always talking about blacks pulling the race card……..hellz, white folks can’t see nothing but the race card……….thanks D……….like (some) white folks aren’t rude, angry, drunk with power and jealous of wealthy blacks (like Vick, that’s why some white folks hate him so much). I’m out, don’t want to hear that mess any more!!!! Peace.

By troubleman

September 11, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

Any tailgating poll that has Philadelphia ranked ahead of Green Bay is suspect. The same people who whine about the dome or it’s location, are the same fairweather fans that I personally wish would stay at home anyway. Atlanta should change it’s nickname to the city that loves to complain.

By kenny

September 11, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

all those complaining, help change it istead of wining! If u dont like it don’t go don’t bring people down with your negativity .Do Hate Participate

By kenny

September 11, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

all those complaining, help change it istead of wining! If u dont like it don’t go don’t bring people down with your negativity .Do Hate Participate

By kenny

September 11, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

all those complaining, help change it istead of wining! If u dont like it don’t go don’t bring people down with your negativity .Do Hate Participate

By DaveATL

September 11, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

NASCAR is the true dominator of tailgating. hands down.

By T.C

September 11, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

i read a article 2 years ago that stated GA is the #1 state that inherit people from other states to come and reside,268 people a day.take that and the bandwagon fans and division of race(racism)wether its mexicans or who ever and then my friends you get no support.

By Miles

September 11, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

Love the Falcons but agree tailgaiting is terrible downtown and not just for NFL but for all college games that come through (SEC football and basketball). Tailgaiting is from your parked car(s) and has nothing to do with all the bars and events downtown. The lots are dispersed, most are covered, and bbqing options are limited. Go Gators!

By degree's not at UGA

September 11, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

S e c $ux all but LSU and UGA $ux first. Poor NFL fans, real poor sport writers and very weak NFL Team(Falcon). Great Owner. Great place to play(Dome). And most season ticket holders miss Vick, man do we ever!

By Mr Jones

September 11, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

The most ignorant comment posted on a blog I have seen in a while - posted by “D”:

“I also don’t like to go to the dome because of some of the people that work there, they are black people, they are from the inner city, they are not wealthy, and some of them seem to have a chip on their shoulder, like ordering white people around, and even seem jealous or envious of the affluent people that afford to come to the games. call me a racist…”

I have never heard of any wealthy person working concessions at a football stadium. Since you are wealthy, maybe you should consider working at the Dome to improve the customer service since it is having such an adverse effect on your game-day experience.

By Bad Newz Kennels

September 11, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

Been to almost all the top 10 and I can say wtih great certainty that Pittsburgh is nowhere near 18th. Steeler fans are nuts! … They should be Top 5 and Cincinnati and Indy should both be down in the middle somewhere.

By mister.earl

September 11, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this

Attended the Redskins home opener and tailgated with 90,067 other people in a well-organized, energetic and OUTSIDE venue that is focused on football.

The energy funnels into the stadium and creates a college football feel. Even the volunteer Redskins band was cool.

Atlanta (Falcons) games could be a great environment with some visionary planning but the franchsie has a lot to learn about catering to its diverse fans and the game production details.

The fans in Washington are unified, not segregated, in one space for one thing.

Having a good time.

By soundsaboutright

September 11, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this

kenny, the AJC article asked if readers agreed with the survey or not. sounds like a lot of people agree and are simply backing up their opinions with reasons why they feel the way they do. Personally, if I’m going to spend my money for a spot to tailgate, I think it’s the responsibility of the property owners to make their sites good for tailgating. I’m not going to go downtown and work on a spot that I have to pay for and probably wouldn’t get on gameday anyway. Your challenge to “participate” is irrelevant.

By Ty

September 11, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this

Tailgating in Atlanta is #32. I could not agree more with the rankings.

I have been to 17 other NFL stadiums and they are by far better. In other cities you don’t have “Homeless Larry ” feel the need to sit with you at your tailgate and ask for beers over and over. In other cities you don’t have to carry a pistol to feel safe. In other cities the crowds are more rowdy and actually care if they win or lose.

The Dome is awful, the fans of Atlanta pro teams are awful, and the whole atmosphere is a joke. That is why Atlanta is ranked in the bottom 5 of the rankings year in and year out for professional team cities.

Just face the facts Atlanta fans. We are the worst in the country.

By Lex Luthor

September 11, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

Its because deep down inside we hate each other. The M Vick thing has shown that too.

By Bust'a move

September 11, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

The reason Atlanta doesn’t tailgate is because there aren’t any restroom facilities around the stadium. The city should alter the flow of the houch, that way fans can urinate directly into the stream without any troublesome bypasses. Heah, that’s it!

By BUSHWACKER

September 11, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

No parking lots, we play in mall,what do you expect, nothing has changed, The Falcons are still nothing but a joke around the NFL.

By mister.earl

September 11, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

Attended the Redskins home opener and tailgated with 90,067 other people in a well-organized, energetic and OUTSIDE venue that is focused on football.

The energy funnels into the stadium and creates a college football feel. Even the volunteer Redskins band was cool.

Atlanta (Falcons) games could be a great environment with some visionary planning but the franchsie has a lot to learn about catering to its diverse fans and the game production details.

The fans in Washington are unified, not segregated, in one space for one thing.

Having a good time.

By JT

September 11, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

This article is correct. I’m an Atlanta fan, but the tailgating stinks. There is no room to do any tailgating. Let’s move from the Dome and build a stadium on the existing GM plant site in Doraville. Now that would provide some awesome tailgating and a better experience. GO FALCONS!

By Kanye West

September 11, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

Chicago at 27?! Just for that this poll is a joke. Have you ever tailgated in below 0 weather, right on Lake Michigan? The greatest sports town with the greatest fans at #27?! You gotta be kidding me, we’re ranked right in front of the sorry Falcons! We have the greatest tailgating environment and scenery (downtown skyline right in view!). What else do you need!

By Agnes

September 11, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

face it, what the guy said earlier may have not been what you wanted to hear. but many dome employees have an negative attitude and a definite chip on their shoulder. and when you see one group of people bein treated one way another group of people treated another way it doesn’t take george bush to figure out what’s going on.

By David Lee

September 11, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

The guy lost all creditibility with me with the Green Bay ranking.

By reebok

September 11, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

First, the NFL is boring. College football has the excitement, that’s where the great tailgating is. I’ve tailgated at several college venues, and even the least-impressive (such as G-Tech’s) are far better than hanging out outside a big carpeted convention center like the Georgia Dome. This is the sun belt, football should be played outside, not in a glorified shopping mall.

By ozzfest

September 11, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

To tailgate and have fun you have to have enough money to buy a private space so the cops won’t cite you for an open container violation. I’ll just stay home.

By mister.earl

September 11, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

The tailgate survey was kind to Atlanta.

what other NFL franchise forces its fans into a “gulch”, on the worst possible plot of unusable land, that was a former home to its homeless population?

how appropriate.

Let’s take a closer look at the Dome environment.

Northside drive divides downtown from Vine City. Can’t go more than 2 blocks deep there in total comfort.

The parking decks? No dice. Tough entry and exit.

The downtown lots on Marietta Street? No thank you. Rip off city.

The gulch?

Get real.

By mister.earl

September 11, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

The tailgate survey was kind to Atlanta.

what other NFL franchise forces its fans into a “gulch”, on the worst possible plot of unusable land, that was a former home to its homeless population?

how appropriate.

Let’s take a closer look at the Dome environment.

Northside drive divides downtown from Vine City. Can’t go more than 2 blocks deep there in total comfort.

The parking decks? No dice. Tough entry and exit.

The downtown lots on Marietta Street? No thank you. Rip off city.

The gulch?

Get real.

By Aztec Dave

September 11, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

Outside of the fact that the stadium is in an awful location, with no parking, no atmosphere, bad service and rude employees and a team that sucks, I can’t understand the problem with tailgating. The some yahoo writes in that “Underground” is a great place to tailgate! He clearly didn’t understand the question.

By Aztec Dave

September 11, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

It is pretty sad that a city without a team is better at tailgating than Altanta. No, wait a minute, we don’t have a team either.

By Marcus Vick

September 11, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

The Georgia Dome blows. Believe me. I have a brother who used to play there.

By grilleth braums

September 11, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

Atlanta has horrible tailgating, and the Dome is a lousy place to watch a football game.

For great tailgating, outdoor football (the way God intended it to be), a more competitive team to watch, and for a better overall experience, I prefer to go to Athens.

Besides, the Dome doesn’t have a Milledge Ave. nearby for eye candy.

By degree's not at UGA

September 11, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

move it to drunkville at redneck u uga. Tail gate with the rednecks! This is just a rude joke please for the love of God not in neckville!

By who cares

September 11, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

sitting around and eating food instead of paying through the nose in the stadium is a nice idea if there were plenty of AFFORDABLE PARKING! But NOOOO!-The stadium authority wants to charge out the wazoo!that is why Marta is better-eat before you go to the game. Giants Stadium is cool for a tail gate party-affordable parking and PLENTY o’parking spaces. Face it-they did not do a lot of planning at the dome-they wanted all to show up, get in and then get out-before the muggers showed up!

By degree's not at UGA

September 11, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this

when they build the new dome please have lots of places set up for tail gateing that is equip for tail gateing and have a lotto to pick the spots! But first we must have a team and not a team that just fill’s the schedule. The team we have now is a win for the owners and the NFL and vendor. We the Fans and season ticket holder have no say so at all in nothing. we have a lose lose now.

By truthteller

September 11, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

Who cares about tailgating and who cares about some clown’s “ratings”. Most of the people that attend pro or college games don’t “tailgate”. Actually, it’s pretty pathetic to see these losers huddled around their little grills drinking their booze and pretending to have a great time. You have to be pretty desperate to try and have a party in that blighted area around the Dome. Same goes for a few other stadium areas I have seen. Personally, I prefer just to go inside and eat in my luxury box.

By Pago Pago

September 11, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

Any college, even Div.1aa, is much better for a great tail gate experience. Who needs the pro$?!

By FalconFan

September 11, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

I do not know what clown put this survey together. Chicago should not be at #27. They should be in the top 10. Most of those folks drove 4 hours south to Champagne, Il to grill & drink before the game a couple of years ago when Soldier field was being rebuilt. Carolina should not be at #23. The majority of the Panthers’ ticket holders are corporate tickets. Can you say Personal Seat License! Falcon fans are down at the dome in the parking lots grilling & drinking every home game. This year, it may be more drinking. Come hot weather or cold weather, the fans are in the Georgia Dome parking lot having a good time! I have been to SEC games. The fans are passionate. However, when temperature gets below 45 degrees or there is the hint of rain, they run to the parking lot. I went to see the Gators lose to Crimson Tide in December 1992 in the first SEC championship at Legion Field in Birmingham. There were not even 40,000 fans in an 80,000 seat stadium. If this game was played in September there would have been a full house. I went to see the Dawgs beat Tech in Athens in 2004. When the weather got below 50 degrees more than half the fans left in the second quarter. The game went down to the wire, but only 35,000 fans were there in the stands. I was embarrassed at the Bulldog fans. Now the SEC plays the championship game in the dome. All this talk about watching a game outside is bull. More than half the ACC and SEC fans would not go to a game in an outdoor stadium in December.

By David Rosenquist

September 11, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this

Its hard to lug a BBQ grill, ribs and beer on a Marta train with no stadium parking. What do you expect?

By disappointedinmycity

September 11, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

The fans in Atlanta are among the worst in the country. They don’t support and teams at all, the only team that gets any support are the Thrashers because hockey fans are apparently the only Atlantans who know how to be rowdy. The football fans are terrible, as shown by the fact that at most games there are almost an equal amount of fans from other teams. Same with baseball. This city doesn’t deserve a sports team for the lack of enthusiasm they express. Of course the tailgaters are terrible.

By Putemallonanisland

September 11, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this

Atlanta has horrible sports teams. Things are impossible to get to around here. The best tailgating must be at the Ted. It doesn’t feel as dangerous. The stadium itself sucks. The seats are a bit too close and tight-I’m not fat btw.
As for the Dome, well it just feels dirty and unsafe. I’ve read others talk about how white people always feel unsafe in urban evironments like downtown and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that one out. People act a way for a reason. If these areas were inhabited by angry crockidiles and the ground was littered with dirty toilet paper, then people will still be uncomfortable. It really doesnt have that much to do with race BUT race is a factor. Why do people feel unsafe? Acting like a thug doesn’t make people feel safe nor does dressing like one. Want to make people feel safe??? Start by actually trying to make them feel safe. Stopping glaring at others like a thug. I’m not trying to disrespect you I have the right to look around the place. Stop trying to bump shoulders with me-I’m an adult and don’t need a matching criminal rap sheet. Stop getting in the way and stop the attitude when I say “pardon me” when I try to “squeeze by”. Stop scamming people. Stop the madness. Since today is 9-11, I’ll liken this discussion to that situation a bit. If the Muslims do not want the world to think they’re all bad then stop acting like you do. If you’re not acting badly then insist that your friends, relatives, and other Muslims preach peace and tolerance. Again, see below:

Old saying: If you don’t want to be called one, don’t act like one.

Thrashers games are okay. Again, it’s all getting there. No drinking and driving for me!

Go ACC…

By jd

September 11, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

With Vick gone, maybe we can get rid of the thugs and gangbangers who were there only to cause trouble. We can take the our tailgating back from those negroes who only want to cause trouble.

By Amanda

September 11, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

Green Bay didn’t even make the top 10? This survey is a joke. I could be 10 below and sleeting and people would still be drinking beer and grilling brauts up in green bay

By ATLNative

September 11, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

I think the problem starts with the city… when the Dome was built, it wasn’t built to give the Falcons a new home away from Atl-Fulton Co. Stadium, it was built to be a multi-use facility so the city could make money from hosting multpile events.

Take a look at what else the Dome sponsors: -SEC Championship -NCAA Basketball March Madness -HBC Battle of the Bands -Moto-X Competitions -Monster Truck Rallies -Peach Bowl

These things would not happen if it were an open air stadium because Atlanta’s weather is too unpredictable… so fact the facts, Atlanta is not an NFL town and hasn’t been one since Steve Bartkowski was under center in a red Falcons helmet.

Finally, the main reason Atlanta has no Falcons fans is because of the migration rate pointed out by the previous reader. Anyone who’s been to a Braves vs. Mets/Cubs/Yankees/Phillies/Red Sox series knows that people move here and wait for their home team to play Atlanta.

My vote - sell the Falcons to LA and let Georgia State get their Div I-A FBS (or whatever they call it) team started in the Dome. It would bring more fans and be a better team to watch!

By Chris

September 11, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

Typical whining. You all will get your cushy stadium built in the lily white suburbs and then b*tch about the traffic getting in and out (see Foxboro).

By kenny

September 11, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

I did not know so many people in Georgia hate the Falcons, Braves,Thrashers and Hawks. So of you don’t know what it’s like to Live in city without pro teams. The fans in Atlanta did not support the Braves in the World Series and not to mention the post seasons. If you are a Fan , be a fan and stop cutting down the Atlanta Teams. Some of us will always support OUR ATLANTA TEAMS ! FIND ANOTHER TEAM TO SUPPORT IF YOU DON’T LIKE THE HAWKS, FALCONS, BRAVES AND THRASHERS.

By Who Dey Atlanta

September 11, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

Who Dey!

Glad to see Cincinnati in the top 5.

Bengals fans in Atlanta can still gather weekly - just go here.

www.myspace.com/whodeyatlanta

By jd

September 11, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

Yu are partially correct Chris. A stadium in the burbs will help to eliminate the undesirables. We should use the Dome for the battle of the bands, rap concerts and the negro colleges who wish to use the fascility.

By Wes

September 11, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

Parking is only $8.00 unless you park right across from the stadium, and there is plenty of room, so the complaints about it costing too much are a joke. Try parking in Philadelphia for less than $40.00. The problem is its all concrete, and that isn’t going to change (and its the same in most cities, from Philly, to NY and even #1 Baltimore). I always have a good time tailgaiting and am not sure why anyone cares about a poll.

By Elaine

September 11, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

jd, step away from the keyboard. Jerks like you make all of us sick. And I’m white.

By anotherdamnjack

September 11, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

Hey Steamboat,

What’cha eating?

Gamecock!!

By GADirtyBird

September 11, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

The fact that Green bay is not in the top 5 ruins this list. I enjoy tailgating outside the Dome,and will be there every game bright and early.

By DDarling

September 11, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

D you are STUPID.

By Stan

September 11, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

JD, PUT THE METH PIPE DOWN…PUT IT DOWN. NOW STOP BEING SO JEALOUS OF BLACK PEOPLE. WITHOUT BLACK PEOPLE THERE WOULDN’T BE ANY SPORTS. IT WOULD BE JUST A GAME. LEAVE THE METH ALONE AND YOU WOULD REALIZE THAT YOU ARE THE REAL PROBLEM WE ALL FACE IN SOCIETY.

By Savage

September 11, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this

What about the “Ironman Theory.” Did they cross correlate this vs. those that prefer to tailgate in Athens the night before.

By If I could only reach through the screen

September 11, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

1) Atlanta is an awesome town. People aren’t falling all over themselves to get the hell out of Pittsburg, Detroit, Cincinnati, Cleaveland, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Buffalo, NY, Boston, and move to Atlanta because Atlanta is undesirable. Atlanta is a great place with great people and a lot of personality. The traffic sucks, but that will get remedied by choice or force one way or the other.

2) People in the South use the term “Yankee” and probably always will. It has nothing to do with the Civil War and everything to do with what southerners believe is a misguied, uninformed, pretentious attitude among northerners. The South is just a better place to be, the quality of life is better here, the people are, on the whole, happier friendlier folks. That’s not an absolute, but it is pretty consistent. And Southerners don’t give a damn what the rest of the country thinks about it. We’re proud of the South and we’re proud to be from the South, and we wouldn’t hold it against you if you felt the same about your part of the world.

3) The Dome should be in the city of Atlanta because it’s Atlanta’s team. I don’t blame people for wanting better schools and bigger houses. But it was your choice to live in Sprawling Suburbs, some good and some bad comes with that

4) This biggest problem with the Falcons, and Pro Sports teams in this town is the fact that they don’t win. People here support college football because SEC and ACC teams have been winning a lot more than they lose for 100 years. When the Falcons or Hawks do the same, they’ll play in front of packed crowds.

5) If you find the parking lot, the stadium, et al undesirable, complain to your owner, not to the AJC.

By jim

September 11, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

The dome is one of the ugliest and badly designed with regards to parking in the country. What is with the Aqua color? ANyway, employees are rude ( unlike the TED where everyone seems happy and they actually say thank you…Great staff at the TED)…I can’t easily talk to folks with all the Rap crap banging out so loud…the derelicts, trash in the street…ugh….why even bother?

We should be dead last…

By Wes

September 11, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

Savage, I couldn’t have said it better. need to move your blog to the top of the page.

By Rickey

September 11, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this

Actually Atlanta is a great place to tailgate.If someone wants to tailgate in the Hilton that could probably be arranged.I have been to every venue in the SEC except Vandy to tailgate.I f you want to hang with a bunch of stoned 20 year olds being fools then that is the route to take.NFL is definitely the way to go otherwise.Try the Gulch on for size.

By JJ

September 11, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

Who really gives a rat’s butt? I enjoy tailgating no matter where I am, the Dome, Athens, the Ted, etc. I’ll tailgate and have a good time. Who cares what everyone else is doing? I’m having fun, enjoying my food and friends, and looking forward to a great game!!!!!

By That Dude

September 11, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

For all of those wanting an open stadium, what does that have to do with it not being a good place to tailgate? Tailgating is done in the parking lot, not inside the stadium. You still can’t see the game from outside.

I think it has more to do with the parking as it relates to where the football stadium is. Other than those small lots in front of the Dome, the parking is spread out throughout downtown.

By Carnivore 69

September 11, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this

The football stadium and baseball stadium need to move from where they are towards where the fans are. You could put them in Suwanee, or Buford, or Roswell, or Alpharetta, and you’d have a lot better situation with fans who care.

By RB

September 11, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

Obviously they haven’t been to Miami personally, because there is NO TAILGATING allowed in the parking lot. Additionally, if you do not have a ticket for the game, you must vacate the premises.

And I’ve been tailgating at the Falcons games for years and have never been approached by a homeless person at the tailgate. And if they did, I don’t have a problem telling them no or if I was so inclined, yes. Hell, I’ve given plenty of strangers food and beer at the tailgate, so what’s the big deal? No skin off my back.

By mister.earl

September 11, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

Visualize an open air football stadium, tied to the development of a solid idea.

For example, Baltimore and Denver understood a stadium can be an anchor for inspired and creative downtown development.

The Georgia Dome never had the inspired architectural vision to start with. The facility does not deserve even moderate consideration for design, fan-amenities or being football friendly.

By kimmie

September 11, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

If I could reach - You are dead on! I support my local teams(ATL native) if they are winning or losing). And they represent the city of Atlanta, so that’s where they should play. Contrary to popular belief, downtown ATL is not Bagdhad. There are homeless and expensive parking in every major city, so just get over it already. I don’t tailgate, but everyone I know that does has a blast and no one every bothered them! And always remember, Delta (or Air Tran) is ready when you are!

By mister.earl

September 11, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this

And always remember, Delta (or Air Tran) is ready when you are!

sophisticated

“love it or leave” as a philosophy is the type of narrow view that keeps people wearing provincial blinders.

unfortunately, the world is a different place and people need to start listening to each other before the next war

By atlfan

September 11, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this

It is funny seeing all these comments. I agree with 99% of them thinking the falcons tailgate suck. The thing I do not agree with is the fact that 95% of you are not from the area and are complaining about atlanta itself. Move back to the NE and enjoy your cold weather!!

For the record The college football tailgate in GA (GA Dawgs, GT YellowJackets) is probably in the top 10 in the country. I bet a NE yankee team would not be on that list!!

By Falcon

September 11, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this

I’m not suprised at Atlanta being rated so low, but the fact that Kansas City is only #8 and Green Bay is ranked in the 10’s destroys the credibility of this survey. As far as Atlanta goes, the environment/layout around the Georgia just isn’t conducive to quality large-scale tailgating. Parking is lacking, fragmented, & too much of it is covered compared to many NFL cities. It has absolutely, nothing to do with it being so close to the “hood”, in the city/downtown, or ignorant comments like there being too many low-income workers at the Dome (?!?) or “undesirables” around. Parking oustide the Dome just isn’t as convenient, contiguous, or uncovered as at many other NFL stadiums. Bottom line. When they build the new stadium they’ll hopefully invest in developing the areas around the stadium that are now just such unstructured parking into planned parking, or move it to an area where there can be such. Moving the stadium far out in the suburbs makes no sense for the geography of Atlanta, but the GM (Doraville, N. Dekalb) & Ford (Hapeville, S. Atlanta) plant sites come to mind. Unfortunately, both sites risk neglecting suburban fans on the opposite sides of town due to the distance.

By Brydogg

September 11, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this

Atlanta might be the worst sports city in the world. How are we 28th? Every game I tailgate for (3 yrs running) someone acts surprised that

By woody

September 11, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

I had no problem tailgating at the Steelers game last year in ATL….

We dominated the streets because all you Falconites took MARTA and skipped the tailgate.

VICK was impressive might have seen one of his last games… I thought it was a good experience…

By Michaelq

September 11, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

unless you have of value to say, please don’t vent, to try and prove your own little point by pointing something else out that is equally as stupid, that’s just mindless stuff, you can get that kind of junk from anybody in middle management on a daily basis for free, like Wes, well Philly pays this outrageous price, so another outrageous price in Atlanta is ok, no it isn’t idiot! remember folks, this will always help you in life if you remember it, TWO WRONGS WILL NEVER MAKE A RIGHT, so please stop finding something screwed up and saying that your screwed up idea is ok because of someone else’s screwed up idea! this concludes today’s lesson in MORON 101.

By sk38

September 11, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

I am a season ticket holder although this is only my second year. I park at a lot off Marietta street and have never had any trouble. I have never had a bad experience with any of the workers at the dome or the people outside. Perhaps those that are having problems with the people need to look to themselves more to see how they are portraying themselves. Atlanta may not be great for tailgating but I love the dome atmosphere and I love staying dry and cool. By the way, I’m white and female and again, I have had no problems with the people around and in the dome.

By I-285

September 11, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this

I can get to anywhere in the suburbs as fast as I can get to Atlanta, because of 285, especially on Sunday, even if a new stadium would be on the opposite side of the city, it would be better than being in Atlanta. the corrupt racially biased city government isn’t thinking about what is in the best interest of the Falcons, only their own, as usual.

By CDS

September 11, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this

Everyone knows that college football reigns down here. People start tailgating for a big GT or UGA game about a day before the game. No only are there not many people tailgating for Falcons games, but half the tailgaters are there for the away teams. Falcons tailgating is flat out lame. Give me a GT tailgating party anytime.

By The Dude

September 11, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this

I’ve been to many tailgates at the Dome. We always had a great time.. sure there were a few homeless guys floating around and the lack of bathrooms was pretty apparent, but the ribs were right on and the beer was still cold. I think it’s what you make of it.

The fact is.. “The city too busy to care” doesn’t care about its professional teams, and that is a shame.

By Roswell Ed

September 11, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

truthteller:

It must be awefully lonely in your luxury box by yourself eating catered food that all the servers spit into, because if your blog is any indicator you are a tool that has no friends.

Tailgating is one of my favorite things to do and you can have the experience before any event.

Hell we even tailgated before the shooting of the Jeopardy TV show at the Civic Center.

+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=

9am Bloody Marys and Screw Drivers, sausage biscuits and hot doughnuts from the KK.

What is what you would take to a tailgate for a 10am taping of Jeopardy? Alex

By KP

September 11, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

Shoot! We have have a 26” HDTV hooked up to DirecTV, a canopy, Fire & Ice grill, nice comfortable chairs, 2 vehicles AND GOOD FOOD for every Falcon home game!

It’ll be about the best thing happening this season, b/c I don’t expect a lot of winning on the field!

By El Bubba

September 11, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this

I’d never spend the kind of money it seems ya’ll will to see sport. However, this has been an interesting discussion of various “Social Problems”. Why can’t we all just get along? Surly people of different hues should get a clue.

Bubba

By Earl

September 11, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

Take one to know one.

By Earl

September 11, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this

Takes one to know one.

By Earl

September 11, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this

Takes one to know one.

By woodie

September 11, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

I never understood tail-gating. If I can’t buy a ticket, I’ll watch at home. Maybe invite some people. Why on earth would anybody want to sit in a parking lot? That’s like those half-wits who climb Mount Everest. See how uncomfortable you can get without dying. Is it just me or is there something brain-fractured in all this.

By Alex

September 11, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

makes a lot of sense, I’d like to see you be the first person in MENSA named Bubba, that would be a hoot!

By Enough!

September 11, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

It’s just like everything else thats wrong with the Falcons, they are way to corporate. Football is not mean’t to be corporate. You can’t run a Team like you run Home Depot. You have to know your customer base. PETA is not your customer base. Eveything is spread out way too far compared to other cities. There are no vendors with good food or drinks at reasonable prices. Products for spirit building are overpriced. The team throws their players and fans under the bus for image purposes. Hell lok at the black hole, fans for life and they come from every background imaginable. The Dome is too cushy, too freaking organized. This family atmoshere bs has destroyed the electric feeling. Even when winning it just seems artificial, like the owner. He said Vick was like his son, well no real father throws his son under the bus regardless of the stupid things they do. Hell most sons try to be like thier father and Vick saw Blank doing selfish, overcharging the fans, and ruthless business decisions. Heck, thats the atmosphere he has built around the team and the Dome, even the freaking tailgating!

By mister.earl

September 11, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

The greatest challenge for Arthur Blank is the mending of a fractured fan base that is split on opinion.

He must decide what is the best strategy for regaining momentum and getting fans united around the team.

Between the tension, conflicts in public opinion, the propects of 4-12, and the next decisions on roster moves and draft picks - the next decade of Falcon progress (or regress) hangs in the balance and the natives are restless.

At least a decent tailgate would allow people to drown their sorrows together.

It keeps the fighting to a minimum

By mister.earl

September 11, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this

The greatest challenge for Arthur Blank is the mending of a fractured fan base that is split on opinion.

He must decide what is the best strategy for regaining momentum and getting fans united around the team.

Between the tension, conflicts in public opinion, the propects of 4-12, and the next decisions on roster moves and draft picks - the next decade of Falcon progress (or regress) hangs in the balance and the natives are restless.

At least a decent tailgate would allow people to drown their sorrows together.

It keeps the fighting to a minimum

By Wanda

September 11, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

I know what the problem is. The location of the Gergia Dome is right in the center of the ghetto. A lot of our regular and upper class citizens (black and white)are afraid(for lack of a better word) of tailgating there because of the homeless harrassing you, the less fortunate people begging,and being verbally abusive when you don’t indulge with them. Who wants to be bothered with that???

Racism has nothing to do with it because I too am a Afro American female and I don’t tailgate at the Dome beacuse I don’t want to be bothered.

By D

September 11, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this

the high priced items in stadiums are against the law, from price fixing, to a monopoly, to price gouging, the prices at stadiums that prevent you from bringing in something comparable are not the same prices for similar items in the surrounding area, that’s against the law.

By mister.earl

September 11, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

Wanda - the Dome location would not be a problem if the site was thought through with some foresight and good old fashioned landscape design.

The World congress center branded the Dome as just another large convention hall and its isolation and sterile vibe is institutionalized.

Meanwhile, the Falcons are stuck in a venue with no football soul, except for bowl games.

The reasons are numerous and getting less tolerable with every loss.

yo Wanda, can I borrow a dollar?

By mister.earl

September 11, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

Wanda - the Dome location would not be a problem if the site was thought through with some foresight and good old fashioned landscape design.

The World congress center branded the Dome as just another large convention hall and its isolation and sterile vibe is institutionalized.

Meanwhile, the Falcons are stuck in a venue with no football soul, except for bowl games.

The reasons are numerous and getting less tolerable with every loss.

yo Wanda, can I borrow a dollar?

By mister.earl

September 11, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

Wanda - the Dome location would not be a problem if the site was thought through with some foresight and good old fashioned landscape design.

The World congress center branded the Dome as just another large convention hall and its isolation and sterile vibe is institutionalized.

Meanwhile, the Falcons are stuck in a venue with no football soul, except for bowl games.

The reasons are numerous and getting less tolerable with every loss.

yo Wanda, can I borrow a dollar?

By VLS

September 11, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

Green Bay - #13…yeah right! I don’t believe this poll. Baltimore being #1 that is just because fans are still trying to retrieve their money that they won from bets about Lewis getting away with murder! So of course, they are going to have a huge turnout. Payday!

By D

September 11, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

it has to be an outdoor stadium, no retractable roof! the threat of rain or cold weather would keep all away except those that truly want to see the Falcons play. lots of parking fanning out for acres, with a train that stops AT the stadium and it’s own on/off ramps to an interstate, sounds bold or even crazy, huh? it’s been done and can be done again. buses could drop off at a special location underground, like many airports. the problem with Atlanta is that it’s already grown up, it wasn’t a designed city and then massive growth took over like kudzu, then somebody is going to try and put a large building with a large group of people commuting there all at once, it doesn’t work. a new stadium has to be in a place that can be bulldozed for 100 acres or more, a clean slate, to do it right and then let the area grow up around the stadium, instead something like trying to pack a really fat man in a already overcrowded subway car.

By Moe

September 11, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

The problem is the parking setup. if you swapped the Dome for Turner Field, with its acres of parking surrouding an open area facility, it would be so much better.

By KenFromCalifornia

September 11, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

this survey is bogus, dude. baltimore has zero parking…people have to park in nearby strip malls and loading docks on gameday, making for very cramped space. phoenix was ok with their $3/parking (at least before their new stadium was built), but i think oakland is the best! those raiderfans have people from all over the world throwing down in their parking lots! they have live bands playing…i even saw these samoan dudes roasting and entire pig on a spit! and the green bay nfl fans, along with the steelers fans, have no peer! falcons fans are friendly at their tailgates, too. so all-in-all, this survey is very inaccurate.

By Doggit

September 11, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this

It’s always seemed strange cooking and drinking outside of a dome and then going INSIDE to watch the game. I like what the Georgia Dome has done for the city, but football is better outside.

Oh, and the parking surrounding the Dome is S*$#^^Y.

By truthteller

September 11, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this

Poor “roswell ed”

So mentally challenged he doesn’t recognize sarcasm when he sees it. Might be a UGA grad.

By steve

September 11, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this

Personally, I don’t see the appeal of standing in the parking lot with a bunch of drunks before a game. Of course, I am not sure why anyone would want to go to an NFL game either, so I guess I am one of those that cause Atlanta to get such a poor ranking.

I do like going to college games early, but I would still rather go into the stadium than stand out in the parking lot. But that is just me.

By Michael N.

September 11, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

Hey, Jim…2) “People in the South use the term “Yankee” and probably always will”…Yeah, I know,that’s the point. You sound like a bunch of toothless fools when you use the term “Yankee”..nobody has a problem with southern pride but when you refer to someone as a “yankee”, you make yourself look like a crossbred hick who’s still fighting the war and that’s not a good thing! Ditch the terminology. You sound foolish.

By Buzz

September 11, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this

I heard the University of Georgia library burned down, yep, it was tragedy, both books burned and one wasn’t even colored in yet!

By disnut8

September 11, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this

I’ve been a Falcons season ticket holder for the past six years (thankfully gave them up before all the Vick stuff). Toss the high school and college stuff. Tailgating if for the NFL. And it does stink here.

The prices to get near the Dome? You have to be kidding me. $60? And for what? A lot where we have to park so close to the next car that geting out of the vehicle is next to impossible? We have to set up our tent where they want us to? Porta-potties that are so filthy at 8:00 AM that even the guys won’t go into them? Blaring rap music so loud that you can’t carry on a conversation even by yelling? Having DJs?

Tailgating is about fans coming together. Not all that hype crap. Weloved our gravel lot but once it got “commercial” (painted “lines”, reserved parking spaces), we switched to the Falcons lot. BORING!!!

The reason I’m not a Falcons season ticket holder anymore? There was absolutely no reason to get to the Dome early anymore. Tailgating was a chore.

By D

September 11, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this

hey Arthur, are ya listenin’?

By Roswell Ed

September 11, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this

truthteller:

…errr grasshopper

Blogging 101

Sarcasm should have a tone about it that reflects the sarcasm.

Your blog just makes you sound like a tool.

You should have gone with something like- I’d rather go sit up in my over priced luxury box and have a manny and peddy while the little people grovel in their misery in the parking lot.

That’s sarcastic.

Wouldn’t y’all agree?

By Max

September 11, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this

Chicago #27?? With the backdrop of the skyline of one of the best cities in america I can’t figure out why we are so low. I guess they don’t like our hot dogs, brats, steaks, and ice cold beer!!