It’s five days and counting until the official opening of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the $1.5 billion state-of-the-art facility that’s been under construction for 3 ½ years and the focus of a decade-long project.

"It's really hard to imagine that you get to the finish line," said Falcons president and CEO Rich McKay, who has been immersed in the project since 2007.

As the Saturday opening date approaches, the AJC will provide daily stories on everything from stadium art and technology, parking, concessions and other news you can use. And there will be daily updates as the defending NFC champion Atlanta Falcons christen the new building by hosting the Arizona Cardinals in an NFL exhibition game Saturday at 7 p.m.

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins passes against the Carolina Panthers in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Brynn Anderson/AP)

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Tracy Woodard from InTown Cares (left) and Lauren Hopper from Mercy Care organization work with residents at the Copperton Street encampment in August 2024. 
(Miguel Martinez / AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez