Mercedes-Benz Stadium roof leaked during weekend event

An umbrella provided cover from a roof leak at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday.

An umbrella provided cover from a roof leak at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s problematic roof sprung some leaks amid heavy rain at an event Saturday.

“The severe weather conditions and on-going construction led to a few leaks around various parts of the stadium, which is common,” a Mercedes-Benz Stadium spokesperson said in a statement. “All areas were addressed and had no impact on events in the building.”

A person attending a high school marching-bands competition in the stadium Saturday afternoon told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the roof was leaking “pretty substantially” in about a five-square-foot area near a sideline at the 50-yard line. Photos showed an umbrella and a tarp in use at that spot.

The retractable portion of the roof consists of eight panels, which are called petals, and one of the big challenges in design and construction was the need to make the connecting points water-tight when the roof is closed.

Issues related to the retractable roof caused three construction delays before the stadium opened Aug. 26, and work has continued on automating the roof since then.

The roof has been open for only two events, one Falcons game and one Atlanta United match, and stadium officials previously announced the roof will remain closed for all events the rest of this year as work on it continues.

Seeking cover from a leaking roof at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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