The Atlanta Falcons' Aug. 26 preseason matchup against the Arizona Cardinals is now scheduled to be the first event to open the new, $1.53 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium. A team official said the Georgia Dome will be left open as an insurance policy, although the Falcons are not expected to return to their former home.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium was supposed to open with a July 30 MLS soccer match featuring Atlanta United and Orlando City, but construction issues -- including problems related to the retractable roof -- have altered those plans. Atlanta United will play the scheduled match at Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Stadium instead and will have three matches affected by the new timetable.