Mercedes-Benz Stadium

SSR has been actively involved in ongoing renovation and upgrade work at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, supporting a wide range of fast-paced, financially driven projects that enhance both stadium operations and the fan experience. Although SSR didn’t design the original stadium, our team has been able to plug into retrofit work seamlessly, demonstrating flexibility and technical expertise.

One of the first major efforts focused on expanding food service capabilities. SSR converted underutilized storage areas into full commercial kitchens to meet the overwhelming demand for affordable and popular items like chicken tenders and fries. These kitchens included 30-foot-long hoods—far larger than the average restaurant setup. The retrofit spaces were outfitted with fryers, air scrubbers, handwashing stations, and three compartment sinks to enhance and support back-of-house operations and integrated with existing systems.

On the front-of-house side, SSR helped modernize food service stations by converting several existing dining options into touchless, AI-powered grab-and-go experiences. Fans can swipe a credit card upon entry, select their food and drinks, and walk out without waiting in line. The system uses cameras, geotagging, and facial recognition to streamline transactions and improve throughput while enhancing the fan experience.

SSR also led renovations to premium suites, starting with Arthur Blank’s personal suite. The team removed unused workstations and installed a full wet bar. They reconfigured the food display area by removing a central island and adding perimeter shelving and lighting to better showcase food offerings. Based on the success of this renovation, SSR is expanding this experience to other premium suites.

To improve the arrival experience for premium guests, SSR reconfigured corridors and storage areas near elevator landings. These changes have transformed bland, back-of-house-like spaces into immersive premium suite environments to match the suite environment.

In preparation for FIFA 2026, SSR is converting ten existing suites into three distinct configurations: standing-room only, lounge-style, and a hybrid model. These options will allow corporate clients and fans to select a tailored suite experience that fits their needs.

SSR’s work also extends deep into stadium operations. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a zero-landfill facility, which requires sorting every piece of trash before it leaves the site. SSR designed systems to improve comfort and airflow in the trash sorting area, helping reduce odors and improve working conditions.

To support large multi-day events like concerts, SSR is adding a new walk-in freezer outside the facility. This freezer connects through an existing cooler and will allow the stadium to store more food in advance of major events, reducing logistical challenges during setup.

Across all these efforts, SSR works through a consistent architectural partner and is the go-to MEP engineer for all projects at the stadium. The construction team varies depending on project size, but SSR is a strategic partner when more technical expertise is required—especially when unknowns in system capacity or infrastructure could impact operations.