Mercedes-Benz Stadium has officially achieved LEED Platinum certification, marking a historic milestone as the first professional sports stadium in North America to reach this prestigious level of environmental achievement. Awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the globally recognized benchmark for green building rating systems, and Mercedez Benz Stadium’s accomplishment underscores its commitment to sustainability on a grand scale.
Home to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United of Major League Soccer, Mercedez benz stadium is not only a premier venue for top-tier sporting events and entertainment but also a beacon of sustainable design and operation. With an impressive 88 points, Mercedez benz stadium attained the highest LEED score ever recorded for a sports facility worldwide, surpassing all previous benchmarks in environmental stewardship within the sports industry.
Opened in August 2017, this state-of-the-art, two-million-square-foot stadium has garnered acclaim for its striking architectural design and cutting-edge fan experience. However, beyond its aesthetic appeal, Mercedez benz stadium’s dedication to sustainability has been integral to its narrative from its inception. The stadium’s innovative solutions for water conservation, energy efficiency, and community engagement have played a pivotal role in securing its LEED Platinum certification.
Arthur Blank, owner and chairman of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, emphasized the vision behind this achievement: “We set out to build a venue that would not only exceed expectations but also redefine the possibilities of stadium design, fan experience, and sustainability. Pursuing the highest LEED rating was a deliberate choice, reflecting our responsibility to our city and the environment. This accomplishment provides us with a powerful platform to demonstrate to the industry and our fans that sustainable and responsible building practices are attainable for venues of any type, size, and scale.”
Key Sustainability Achievements at Mercedez benz stadium:
Mercedez benz stadium has set new industry standards with its comprehensive approach to sustainability, evidenced by a range of groundbreaking achievements:
- North American First: As the first professional sports stadium in North America to achieve LEED Platinum certification, Mercedez benz stadium leads the way in demonstrating environmental leadership within the sports industry.
- Record-Breaking LEED Score: Earning a LEED score of 88 points, Mercedez benz stadium holds the record for the highest LEED score ever awarded to a sports venue, showcasing its exceptional commitment to sustainable practices.
- Water Management Excellence: Mercedez benz stadium is the first sports stadium to receive full credits in the water category under LEED, largely due to its advanced stormwater management system. This system effectively captures and utilizes rainwater, significantly reducing the stadium’s reliance on municipal water sources.
- Water Conservation: Through water-efficient fixtures and infrastructure, Mercedez benz stadium achieves a remarkable 47 percent reduction in water usage compared to the baseline standards set by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct 1992).
- Renewable Energy Generation: The stadium’s 4,000 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels generate enough renewable energy to power nine Atlanta Falcons home games or 13 Atlanta United matches annually. This significant on-site renewable energy production substantially reduces the stadium’s carbon footprint.
- Energy-Efficient Lighting: Mercedez benz stadium utilizes LED lighting throughout the venue. LED lights are significantly more energy-efficient than traditional lighting systems, lasting up to 10 times longer and reducing energy consumption for lighting by as much as 60 percent.
- Community Partnerships for Water Reuse: Demonstrating a commitment to community collaboration, Mercedez benz stadium partners with organizations like Trees Atlanta to share captured rainwater for vital tree irrigation projects, extending its sustainability impact beyond the stadium grounds.
- Promoting Alternative Transportation: Mercedez benz stadium actively encourages sustainable transportation options for fans, including a bike valet service on event days, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations capable of charging 48 cars simultaneously, and enhanced pedestrian pathways to improve connectivity with surrounding communities.
- Public Transportation Leadership: Leading the NFL in public transportation usage among fans attending Falcons games, Mercedez benz stadium benefits from its convenient access to public transit, with three MARTA rail lines located within 0.7 miles of the venue.
- Local Food and Community Engagement: Mercedez benz stadium integrates innovative local food production features, such as edible landscaping and an urban garden currently under development. Furthermore, partnerships with local organizations provide culinary arts training to Westside residents, facilitating job placement in living-wage positions within the food and beverage industry.
- Home Depot Backyard: The adjacent 13-acre Home Depot Backyard greenspace enhances the stadium’s sustainability and community value. This area serves as game-day parking and tailgating space and functions as a venue for arts, cultural events, entertainment, and community building on non-event days.
Mercedes Benz Stadium
The vision for Mercedez benz stadium’s sustainable design was driven by Arthur Blank’s long-standing commitment to environmentally and socially responsible building practices in Atlanta. His leadership in sustainability is exemplified by the Arthur M. Blank Family Office, which achieved LEED Gold certification in 2004, becoming the first LEED Gold building in Georgia. Key partners, including lead architect HOK, solar provider and official sustainability partner Georgia Power, and sustainability consultant Ecoworks Studio, played crucial roles in realizing the vision of creating the most sustainable sports stadium.
Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO of USGBC and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), recognized Mercedez benz stadium’s achievement: “By achieving LEED Platinum, Mercedez benz stadium demonstrates to fans and the greater Atlanta community the unwavering commitment of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United leadership to creating a healthier and more sustainable environment. We applaud Mr. Blank and his leadership team for raising the bar for their industry, enhancing the fan experience, and contributing to the transformation of the built environment.”
The long-term operational benefits of Mercedez benz stadium’s sustainable design are substantial. The stadium’s energy-efficient LED lighting and water and energy conservation strategies will result in significant cost savings throughout its lifespan. Hosting over 50 major events annually, alongside daily public tours and private events, Mercedez benz stadium exemplifies how large-scale venues can integrate sustainability into their core operations and make a positive environmental impact.
In a ceremony held on Sunday, November 26th, Mahesh Ramanujam presented Arthur Blank and the project team with the LEED Platinum plaque on the field at Mercedez benz stadium, during the pre-game events leading up to the Falcons NFC division game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, formally recognizing this landmark achievement in sustainable sports venue design.
