Preparation work for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament’s Final Four at Mercedes-Benz Stadium may keep Atlanta United from hosting a quarterfinal game in its home should it advance in the CONCACAF Champions League.
Atlanta United will play Motagua in the Round of 16. The home-and-home series will be in Honduras some time between Feb. 18-20. The return leg will be played at Kennesaw State's stadium sometime between Feb. 25-27. The move away from Atlanta United's home of Mercedes-Benz Stadium is because the building has two events previously scheduled, which are considered legacy events because of their history in the city: Monster Jam and Moto Cross.
Should Atlanta United advance past Motagua, it will play the winner of the series between Club America and Comunicaciones in the quarterfinals. The first leg of that quarterfinal series, to be played away, is scheduled for March 10-12. The home leg is scheduled for March 17-19.
Work to turn Mercedes-Benz Stadium from a soccer- and football-focused facility into a basketball facility will begin March 16, which is when the work for a center-hung video board begins. Load-in for temporary seating begins March 19. Atlanta United could try to play its game around the work being done. A Mercedes-Benz spokesperson has not responded to a question on whether the stadium is unavailable starting March 16.
An Atlanta United spokeswoman said the scheduling of the legs will not change, eliminating the possibility of switching the first game from away to home as an option. The spokeswoman said the team is evaluating options.
