Atlanta wins! New Falcons stadium will host Super Bowl

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - It’s official! The Super Bowl is returning to Atlanta. 

NFL owners selected the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium to host the Super Bowl in 2019.

App users: Click here to watch the YouTube clip

“At the end of the day, our community is built to host these big events,” Atlanta Sports Council Executive Director Dan Corso told FOX 5 on Monday, ahead of the announcement. “Atlanta has truly transformed since the last time we hosted a Super Bowl.”

 

Atlanta’s new home to the Falcons, which is set to open in 2017, was considered the front runner for Super Bowl LIII, the 53rd Super Bowl.

City officials have remained hopeful that the $1.4 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium would bring the event back to Georgia since Atlanta hasn’t hosted a Super Bowl since 2000. The new stadium was considered a clear favorite because of its retractable-roof.

The official YouTube channel of the stadium posted the video they submitted to the NFL committee. The video includes many notable city icons and was narrated by Ambassador Andrew Young.

App users: Click here to watch the official Super Bowl bid video

Mercedes-Benz Stadium is going up next door to the Georgia Dome, which will be leveled after its replacement opens. The new facility has already helped Atlanta land the 2018 College Football National Championship game as well as the NCAA Final Four in 2020.

Other cities bidding to host include New Orleans, South Florida, Los Angeles and Tampa. 

Atlanta hasn't hosted a Super Bowl since 2000, but city officials are hoping the $1.4 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium will bring the event back to Georgia. The stadium is considered a clear favorite because of its retractable-roof.

The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce suggests that Metro Atlanta will benefit from about $400 million in economic impact by hosting the Super Bowl in 2019, but some economists said big game estimates like that are misleading.

"$400 million is a really big estimate usually," said Tom Smith, a sports economist and finance professor at Emory University.  "I say pick whatever estimate and take about a tenth of that so maybe $40 million.  You will find a lot will go through the tourist industry, through hotels, restaurants, usually it is very concentrated around the city center," said Smith.

The Chamber of Commerce said  the event will benefit airports, hotel/motels and the hospitality industry.  Economists said businesses surrounding the new $1.4 billion stadium could see a boost and the city will see money through various events leading up to the big game,  but its main purpose is to build brands and encourage business to start investing in the city,

"Everybody thinks there is some sort of magic behind having a big sporting event , it's nice, I am very happy for the city," said Smith.  "But it's not nearly as large as most people make it out to be."

Economists add that people who participate with companies like Airbnb and Uber will benefit in sales, but Smith said it is important to think about the impact the Super Bowl has on people who live in Metro Atlanta.

"Unfortunately when a Super Bowl or when a  big event comes to town people who live in the city like to bug out," said Smith.  "As a result you could actually sort of have a neutral effect where the out of town money is canceled out by everybody in town decides they are going to go to Cancun for the week."

The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce said the Final Four in 2013,  brought in about $70 million, adding that other than hosting the Olympics or The World Cup, there is no other event with the potential to drive such a tremendous economic benefit to a region.

App users: Click here to watch reaction from the Atlanta delegation

Atlanta Falcons owner, Arthur M. Blank said Tuesday:

“It’s a wonderful day for our city and franchise and I know the people of Atlanta and all of Georgia will deliver a spectacular Super Bowl celebration in 2019. Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be an outstanding venue for the game and with all of the attractions and hotel rooms within a mile of the stadium this is going to be the most walkable Super Bowl ever. Atlanta has truly transformed since it last hosted the Super Bowl in 2000 and I’m grateful to the NFL and team owners for this very special opportunity.”

“I want to extend my thanks and congratulations to the entire bid committee, our local business community and the leaders of our city and state for their strong efforts on this bid. Mayor Kasim Reed and Governor Nathan Deal have been especially supportive of our efforts to bring events like the Super Bowl to Atlanta and I’m grateful for their vision and leadership in that regard.”

Dan Corso, executive director of the Atlanta Sports Council, said:

“The bid process, which began over a year ago, involved several organizations around the community, and it’s extremely rewarding to see the collaborative effort and hard work pay off. We are excited to welcome NFL fans from around the world and showcase all that Atlanta has to offer as a first-class host city.”

Reaction also began to pour in from notable officials in metro Atlanta Tuesday afternoon.

William Pate, the president and CEO of the Atlanta Visitors and Convention Bureau, released this statement:

“Atlanta Sports Council put together an outstanding bid, and the Atlanta Falcons are delivering a state-of-the-art facility with Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This powerful combination led to an exciting win for the city, and we look forward to welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors to Atlanta in 2019.”

Atlanta City Council President Ceasar C. Mitchell released this statement:

“This is certainly an exciting day for the City of Atlanta and the region! I have great anticipation for the positive impact winning the 2019 Super Bowl will have on our economy, our image and most importantly, the people of this city. Being honored with the game is proof positive that public-private partnerships in the area of urban development can result in constructive outcomes. I applaud the collaborative efforts of the leadership team that made this a reality and look forward to hosting Super Bowl 53 like only Atlanta can.”

Atlanta City Councilmember Michael Julian Bond released this statement:

“I am elated to learn of the announcement by the NFL that Atlanta will host the 2019 Super Bowl! The impact for our city will be tremendous and a fitting reward for the hard work that civic, business, and community leaders have put forth to make Atlanta the very best. My congratulations go out to the Atlanta 2019 Super Bowl Committee and the Falcons organization for having brought another Super bowl to our great city. I want to especially thank Arthur Blank for his visionary leadership in revitalizing the Falcons organization and creating a new venue which makes it possible to not only host super bowls but other world class events. I join with all citizens of Atlanta, anticipating this momentous occasion, as we remain steadfast on our continued march toward greatness.”

Atlanta City Councilmember Andre Dickens released this statement:

“I do not like to spike the ball before getting into the end zone, but today we scored a touchdown! Hosting Super Bowl LIII in 2019 will be a wonderful benefit to our economy and is another opportunity to show the world how warm and welcoming the City of Atlanta is. Thank you to all of the partners who came together to make this a reality including Arthur Blank and the Atlanta Falcons, Mayor Reed and the City of Atlanta and the State of Georgia.”

Atlanta City Councilmembers Ivory Lee Young, Jr. released this statement:

“I was proud to sponsor the unanimously approved legislation supporting the bid for the 2019 Super Bowl. As the representative of the city council district that is the home of the new Atlanta Falcons Stadium, and as of today the home of the 2019 Super Bowl, I am hopeful to leverage support for Super Bowl Legacy Projects that will produce much needed assets for our youth. I am certainly excited for Atlanta but I'm equally as excited about the opportunities that potentially await us and providing a continued economic stimulus to Atlanta's West Side.”

Atlanta City Councilmember Carla Smith released this statement:

“I am thrilled and excited that Atlanta was chosen as the Super Bowl host in 2019. It will not only allow us to showcase our great city to the world, but also what will be the most beautiful state-of-the art stadium in the NFL.”

The Associated Press contributed to this article.