State Farm Arena
“Highlight Factory”
NBA

State Farm Arena

Atlanta Hawks

1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303

A Guide to State Farm Arena

Following a massive $192 million renovation, State Farm Arena stands as one of the most vibrant, next-generation sports and entertainment hubs in the NBA. Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta's bustling Centennial Park District, this highly modernized venue serves as the proud home to both the NBA's Atlanta Hawks and select high-profile home games for the WNBA's Atlanta Dream. The arena offers fans a deeply immersive visual experience highlighted by the league's first 360-degree LED halo board, all while sitting steps away from the city's premier cultural attractions.

Getting to the Arena

  • Driving & Parking
    To reach State Farm Arena when driving into downtown Atlanta, take I-75/85 to Exit 249C (Andrew Young International Blvd) and follow the directional signage straight toward the Centennial Olympic Park district. Because downtown traffic heavily congests on game nights, navigating via Waze or Google Maps is highly recommended to receive real-time street routing directly to your destination. For premium, official garage accommodations, the premium Sapphire Deck (located at 127 Centennial Olympic Park Dr. NW) offers a secure, covered option equipped with EV charging stations, ADA spaces, and a sky bridge that provides a fully enclosed, weather-proof walk directly into the arena concourse. Other official options include the ultra-VIP Diamond Deck and State Farm Drive spaces for immediate gate access, the Ruby Lot for a quick three-minute walk, and the expansive Gulch Green surface lot, which sits on the west side of the arena and offers an easier post-game vehicle exit toward Northside Drive. All official arena parking accommodations are entirely cashless and require advanced digital booking via ParkMobile, so you should pre-purchase your pass to guarantee a spot and avoid slow, high-demand event-day drive-up lines.
  • Public Transit
    MARTA serves the Vine City/GWCC and Five Points stations, both within a 10-minute walk of the arena. MARTA is the most practical way to get to the arena from across the metro area. The Atlanta Streetcar connects downtown destinations.
    • MARTA rail
      For train transit, the most efficient way to access State Farm Arena is via MARTA rail directly to the SEC District Station, which is situated on the Blue Line and Green Line right at the arena's doorstep. Fans traveling from the east (e.g., Indian Creek) or west (e.g., Hamilton E. Holmes or Bankhead) can take these lines straight to the station and ascend the escalators directly into the arena gates. If you are arriving from the north (North Springs/Doraville) or south (Airport) via the Red Line or Gold Line, you simply ride to Five Points Station and make a free, quick transfer onto a westbound Blue or Green line train for a one-stop ride to the SEC District Station. Alternatively, fans can exit at the nearby Vine City Station (also on the Blue/Green lines) or walk briefly from Five Points Station to approach the arena district on foot.
    • MARTA bus lines
      For bus transit, MARTA bus lines do not drop off directly inside the immediate, subterranean SEC District station plaza, but excellent local routes stop just steps away along the surrounding downtown grid. The most convenient options include Route 3 (Martin Luther King Jr. Dr / Auburn Ave) and Route 26 (Marietta St / Perry Blvd), both of which offer frequent service with stops near the intersection of Marietta Street and Centennial Olympic Park Drive, placing you less than a block from the arena perimeter. Additionally, Route 40 (Peachtree St / Downtown) operates nearby and connects major downtown hotel corridors directly to the outskirts of the Centennial Olympic Park entertainment district, making it a highly viable option for visitors looking to avoid vehicle traffic.
  • Rideshare
    The designated rideshare zone is located along Centennial Olympic Park Drive, positioned strategically between State Farm Drive and Andrew Young International Boulevard near Gates 2, 4, and 5.

Pregame Festivities

Downtown Atlanta and the adjacent neighborhoods of Castleberry Hill, Midtown, and the Edgewood corridor offer diverse pregame options reflecting Atlanta's position as one of America's great food cities.

Bars & Restaurants

  • A massive sports bar and brewpub on Marietta Street, steps from the arena. Over 100 TVs, house-brewed beers, and a game-day atmosphere make it the go-to pregame spot for Hawks fans.
  • A German beer garden on Luckie Street near the arena offering German beer, sausages, pretzels, and a communal outdoor seating area. The beer garden atmosphere is festive and social.
  • A brewery and distillery near the arena offering craft beers and spirits. The taproom features their lineup alongside creative cocktails.
  • A deli near the arena offering sandwiches, soups, and classic deli fare. Quick and satisfying pregame fuel.
  • An Atlanta soul food institution since 1947, located on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, about 10 minutes from the arena. Fried chicken, mac and cheese, collard greens, and cornbread, this is authentic Southern comfort food that defines Atlanta's culinary heritage.
  • A creative doughnut shop that has become an Atlanta phenomenon. Their inventive flavors and fresh-made doughnuts have earned national acclaim. Worth a pregame treat.
  • A bar and lounge near the arena offering cocktails and a social atmosphere on game nights.

Neighborhood Attractions

  • The largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, located directly adjacent to the arena. Home to whale sharks, manta rays, beluga whales, and over 100,000 animals. An absolute must-visit and perfect for a game-day morning or afternoon activity.
  • A museum dedicated to the history of Coca-Cola (headquartered in Atlanta), located next to the aquarium and steps from the arena. The tasting room where you can sample Coca-Cola products from around the world is the highlight.
  • A powerful museum adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park exploring the American civil rights movement and global human rights issues. Atlanta was the home of Martin Luther King Jr., and the center houses his papers and personal items.
  • A 22-acre public park built for the 1996 Summer Olympics. The Fountain of Rings — the world's largest interactive fountain is the centerpiece. The park is surrounded by the arena, aquarium, and World of Coca-Cola.
  • A 200-foot Ferris wheel in Centennial Olympic Park offering panoramic views of downtown Atlanta. The gondolas are climate-controlled and provide a unique perspective of the city.

Monuments & Unique Features

  • The Dominique Wilkins Statue
    Outside Main Entrance: Standing prominently right outside the arena's main entrance is a massive, 13.5-foot bronze statue of "The Human Highlight Film" himself. Sculpted by Brian Hanlon and dedicated in 2015, the statue captures Wilkins mid-air, perfectly frozen in the anticipation of an iconic slam dunk. It serves as the ultimate pre-game photo op for fans.
  • The Evander Holyfield Statue
    Outside Plaza: Directly outside the arena district plaza, fans can also spot a prominent statue honoring Atlanta sports royalty and boxing legend Evander "Real Deal" Holyfield.
  • Championship & Division Banners
    1958 NBA Championship banner (won during the franchise's era in St. Louis led by Bob Pettit). Including the Central Division titles (1980, 1987, 1994) and the modern Southeast Division Championship banners (2015, 2021,& 2026 banner).
  • Retired Numbers
    • #9 Bob Pettit
    • #21 Dominique Wilkins
    • #23 Lou Hudson
    • #44 "Pistol" Pete Maravich
    • #55 Dikembe Mutombo
    • #6 Bill Russell
      Retired league-wide across the NBA
  • The Historic Omni Scoreboard
    Main Lobby Feature: StateFarm features an incredible structural tribute to Atlanta sports history right in the main lobby. The original center-hung scoreboard from The Omni (the Hawks' home arena from 1972 to 1997 that previously stood on this exact site) hangs prominently as a retro display piece. It still functions to display information relevant to the night's game, while keeping the classic vintage logos of the Hawks, the Omni, and the city's former NHL franchise, the Atlanta Thrashers, alive for modern fans.

Seating & Special Sections

  • Delta SKY360° Club & The Hawk Bar
    Courtside / Floor Level: Widely regarded as the most exclusive premium space in Atlanta, this Smith Hanes-designed luxury lounge is reserved strictly for courtside ticket holders. It features a rotating, high-end chef's menu and premium all-inclusive food and spirits. Its crowning jewel is The Hawk Bar, a first-of-its-kind mix-and-mingle bar situated directly on an extension of the playing hardwood, putting fans mere feet away from the live NBA action.
  • Players Club
    East Side / Behind Team Benches: Tailored for die-hard sports fans craving an immersive behind-the-scenes atmosphere, this high-energy club is located on the floor level directly behind the player benches. It features a massive 32-foot video wall and all-inclusive food, beer, and wine. The signature amenity is its glass-walled design, giving members an up-close, direct view into the actual player tunnel as the team runs onto the court, as well as a window view into the postgame press conference room.
  • Sharecare Social Club & Cabanas
    Sideline / Lower Bowl: Positioned along the premium lower bowl sidelines, this layout replaces traditional stadium seating with comfortable, couch-style lounge setups optimized for socializing and connectivity. This premium neighborhood provides optimal mid-court basketball sightlines (and clear staging views for concert layouts) paired with an upscale, all-inclusive buffet featuring curated food, beer, and wine.
  • Concert Club
    Stage-Facing / Mid-Level Area: Built explicitly with audiophiles and entertainment lovers in mind, this ultra-premium private club faces the main stage configuration and is acoustically designed for optimal event sound. Guests sit in semi-private, theater-style boxes (configured for groups of 4 or 6) that mirror the luxury perks of a suite on a smaller scale, complete with top-shelf all-inclusive food, wine, and liquor.
  • Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos Club
    Lower Bowl / Club Level: A chef-driven premium space designed with foodies in mind. This upscale club offers high-end, restaurant-quality dining stations alongside dedicated seating sections that boast exceptional sweeping views of the entire court.
  • Topgolf Swing Suites & Specialty Lofts
    Suite Level: Redefining luxury entertainment, these unique hospitality boxes allow groups to rent high-end private suite spaces equipped with fully interactive, simulator screens for virtual golf and gaming alongside premium catering packages. They sit alongside the Georgia Natural Gas Greener Life® Loft Suites and Novelis Veranda Suites, which emphasize localized Southern hospitality and open-air networking layouts.
  • The Rooftop & Swag Shop
    Upper Level / Concourse): For fans looking for a unique, accessible atmosphere higher up in the arena, the upper concourse features an official Topgolf Swing Suite simulator bay area open to general fans, alongside an open-air rooftop bar featuring exceptional views of the downtown Atlanta skyline. It sits adjacent to the arena's famous "Swag Shop" a fully functional, multi-chair barbershop operated by Atlanta rap legend Killer Mike, where fans can get a professional haircut while maintaining a direct line of sight to the game below.

Concessions

  • Signature Items
    Atlanta's food culture is well-represented. Fried chicken, Southern BBQ, and soul food items reflect the city's culinary identity. Fox Bros. BBQ and other local restaurant partnerships rotate through the arena.
  • Zac Brown Social Club & Zac Brown Grill
    Section 113/114: Created in collaboration with Georgia’s own country music superstar, this premier casual dining hub is famous for its high-energy atmosphere and gourmet Southern comfort plates. It features slow-smoked barbecue, Southern-style honey chicken wings, and gourmet ATL Hot Chicken Tenders tossed in a zesty, signature heat blend. It also plays host to the arena's Guest Chef Program, regularly rotating items from local Georgia restaurateurs.
  • Chick-fil-A
    Section 211 / Main Concourse: An absolute Atlanta staple, this fully functioning arena branch serves up the beloved local chain's classic menu items. Fans can grab the iconic hand-breaded Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, waffle potato fries, and fresh lemonade during games and concerts.
  • J.R. Crickets
    Hawk Walk Market / Main Concourse: A legendary Atlanta institution famous for bringing authentic local wing culture directly to sports fans. They serve up perfectly crisped, sauced-to-order chicken wings, with the undeniable crowd favorite being the authentic "Lemon Pepper Wet" wings, alongside seasoned fries.
  • Dolo’s Pizza
    (Hawk Walk Market): An incredibly popular local partnership bringing a unique, vibrant twist to standard stadium pizza. Known for its Afro-Caribbean-infused culinary flair, Dolo’s serves up fresh, artisanal personal pies with a signature sweet-and-spicy crust and deeply flavorful local toppings.
  • The Westside Grill
    Section 107: The arena's go-to spot for heavy, savory grilled comfort classics. Its menu features the Cheesesteak Melt Sandwich (thinly sliced ribeye with sautéed onions and white American cheese on an Amoroso roll), as well as the BBQ Smashburger, which is topped with crispy onion rings, pepper jack cheese, and tangy barbecue sauce on a sweet Vidalia onion bun.
  • Hawk Walk Chicken
    Section 120: A dedicated poultry haven specializing in quick-serve, high-quality comfort finger foods. Alongside their classic golden chicken tenders and fries, their standout item is the Buffalo Cauliflower Bites crispy, lightly breaded cauliflower florets marinated in a bold buffalo sauce that offer a perfect spicy vegetarian alternative.
  • Topped Cart
    Gate 6: An inventive specialty stand dedicated entirely to loaded, over-the-top street food variations.
  • 103 Tacos
    Section 103: A fast-casual Mexican street-food concept serving up heavily portioned, fresh-to-order favorites. Options include smoked beef street tacos, loaded chicken nacho platters layered with warm queso, fresh salsa, and house-made guacamole.
  • Scoops & Shakes
    Section 108: The primary dessert destination on the main concourse. This spot features standard premium ice cream scoops alongside decadent, thick Handspun Milkshakes available in classic chocolate, vanilla, and a signature Georgia Peach flavor.

Arena Information

Capacity
17,608
Avg Attendance
16,417
Opened
1999
Last Renovated
2018
Architect
Populous
Construction Cost
$213.5 million

Notable Events

  • Dominique Wilkins Era: "The Human Highlight Film" was the face of the Hawks franchise through the 1980s and early 90s. His legendary dunk contest battles with Michael Jordan are foundational NBA moments.

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