Good morning. This is LEADOFF, today’s early look at Atlanta sports.
The Falcons and Atlanta United are planning an "open house" at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for season-ticket holders Aug. 19, one week before the new stadium hosts its first game.
In messages from the teams this week, season-ticket holders were told they’ll receive complimentary tickets to the open-house event.
It will occur in two sessions on the 19th -- for Atlanta United from 10 a.m. until noon, then for the Falcons from 12:30 until 3:30 p.m.
An Atlanta United practice on the stadium's recently installed artificial turf will be part of the soccer team's open house. The Falcons have an exhibition game at Pittsburgh that weekend.
The teams said in the notice to season-ticket holders that the open house will allow fans to try out their mobile ticketing via the team apps, check out the view from their seats, purchase parking passes and experience the stadium’s bars, restaurants and concessions.
The event could draw a large crowd. Atlanta United officials have said the team has sold more than 35,000 season tickets. As of two weeks ago, the Falcons had sold 55,113 personal seat licenses, which are required for the right to buy Falcons season tickets.
At that time, the Falcons said they had about 6,000 PSLs still to sell. Atlanta United season tickets don’t require PSLs.
The Falcons have said no single-game tickets will be available directly from the team this season.
The first game in Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be on Aug. 26, when the Falcons play the Arizona Cardinals in an exhibition.
Atlanta United’s first match in the stadium is on Sept. 10 vs. FC Dallas.
Testing the new @MBStadium sound system tonight
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— Greg Beadles (@GregBeadles)
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Georgia was ranked No. 15 in the coaches' poll. See story here.
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