Atlanta United has sold more than 27,000 season tickets with 5 1/2 weeks remaining before the season-opening game against New York Red Bulls at Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Club President Darren Eales revealed the total during an expansive interview on Thursday at IMG Academy, where the team is holding preseason training.
“It says that Atlanta is a sports city and that Atlanta loves soccer,” Eales said. “You can’t argue with it.”
The total places Atlanta United second behind reigning MLS Cup h0lder Seattle in sales. The league’s average attendance for its 20 teams in 2016 was 21,692.
Eales said they will likely cap season tickets at 30,000 and that decision will be made within the next two weeks. Those who wish to purchase after the cap is reached will be offered partial season ticket, or game packages.
Eales that there are approximately 9,000 members of the Founder’s Club, of which 77 percent have purchased season tickets.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium will have a capacity of 40,000 for most soccer games, according to Eales. That means that the lower bowl and mezzanines will be open and that the drapes will be used for the upper bowl. There are some games that Eales predicts will surpass 40,000, which will necessitate opening the upper bowl.
Eales revealed several interesting aspects of the season-ticket sales:
- In the Supporters Section, located behind one of the goals, more than 3,500 of the 5,000 available seats have been sold. The two reserve sections have sold out.
- Of the 16 club options, 14 have sold out.
- 22 of the 36 sections in the lower bowl have sold out.
Atlanta United revealed in August that it had surpassed 22,000 season tickets sold. Eales said the club has seen several spikes in sales, including the hiring of Gerardo Martino in September, the release of the league schedule two weeks ago, and the SuperDraft, also two weeks ago.
“If you look at history of every club, there is a five-week run up to the first game,” Eales said. “The exciting thing for us is how high can the bar can be? We still have 5 1/2 weeks, still have player announcements, the second kit launch…”
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