Sports in Atlanta this September: Guide to Games and Sporting Events

By Demetrius Bell

Published August 25, 2026

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With Fall now on the horizon, the sports scene here in Atlanta is starting to shift from those warm and humid nights outside at Truist Park to intense action under the lights at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. September is a month that’s full of excitement when it comes to sports. No matter where you turn, this will be your guide to knowing exactly where to be once the biggest games are happening in the crown jewel of the South. 

At a Glance

Atlanta Falcons

It’s officially time for the Falcons to lift off, as Bijan Robinson and the rest of the Dirty Birds will start the regular season on Sept. 13 in Pittsburgh against the Steelers. The home debut for the Falcons will take place the following Sunday on Sept. 20, which also just so happens to be the only Falcons game that Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be hosting this month. It’ll be a big one, though, as Bryce Young and the rival Carolina Panthers will be rolling into town for a big National Football Conference South rivalry game. With the fan-friendly concession prices and the world-class stadium experience, Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the best place to be on Sunday while cheering on the Falcons as they take on the best that the NFL has to offer. 

Atlanta Braves

Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson and the rest of the Atlanta Braves are pushing hard for a divisional title, and they’ll be playing some crucial home games at Truist Park at The Battery against some tough competition. From Sept. 8 through Sept. 10, the Braves will host the red-hot Tampa Bay Rays and from Sept. 11 through Sept. 13, the Philadelphia Phillies. Following a week-long road trip, the Braves will return home for their final three home games of the season from Sept. 22 through Sept. 24 as they take on the Cincinnati Reds. 

As usual, there will be plenty of giveaways and promotions. The Avett Brothers will have a postgame concert on Sept. 8, a Kane Brown Bobblehead giveaway will take place on Sept. 9, kids will be able to receive a Ronald Acuña Jr. Braves-themed basketball jersey on Sept. 13, and the adults can get in on the fun on Sept. 24. An Austin Riley Short Sleeve Hoodie Giveaway will happen on Sept. 22 and Los Bravos Night will be on Sept. 23. The Braves are pushing for the Postseason and there’s plenty of reasons to catch a game before the drama of October baseball rolls around. 

Atlanta Dream

Speaking of the playoffs, Angel Reese and Rhyne Howard are currently helping to propel the Dream into a return to the WNBA playoffs here in 2026. There are only two regular-season home games left before the Dream make their way into the postseason, and they’ll be split between the Gateway Center Arena at College Park and the State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta. Fan Appreciation Night will take place on Sept. 17 in College Park against the Connecticut Sun, and then HBCU and Divine 9 Night will happen Downtown on Sept. 19 against the Chicago Sky. Tickets are sure to go fast, since Dream games have become a very hot commodity – especially at the Gateway Center Arena. This is as good a time as any to get in on the action with one of the WNBA’s most exciting teams. 

Atlanta United

FIFA World Cup star Miguel Almiron will be taking to the pitch as Atlanta United continues its MLS season with a couple of home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Fierce rivals Orlando City SC will be visiting on Sept. 9 and then New York City FC will come to challenge Atlanta United on Sept. 26. There’s a reason why Atlanta United leads all of MLS in attendance and why fans continue to come back in order to make it one of the most intense atmospheres of soccer in America. Mercedes-Benz Stadium proved itself as a fantastic venue during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and now’s your chance to see the hometown team run wild in its stomping grounds. 

Aflac Kickoff Game

Even though there’s only one Falcons game in September, there’s still plenty of college football that’ll be on display here in America’s college football capital. One of the biggest games on the Week 1 slate of contests is always the Aflac Kickoff Game, which is hosted annually at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This year on Sept. 5, new head coach Alex Golesh and the Auburn Tigers of the SEC will take on quarterback DJ Lagway and the Baylor Bears of the Big XII. As with most big college football games taking place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, these tickets are sure to go fast, so if you’re interested in seeing this high-profile matchup, make sure to grab the tickets sooner rather than later. 

Georgia Tech Football

Meanwhile in Midtown, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will get their season started at historic Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Head Coach Brent Key will be leading the Jackets as they’ve got three big early-season contests set to take place at home. They’ll host the Deion Sanders-coached Colorado Buffaloes to open up their season on Sept. 3, where fans will be encouraged to wear white. Tech’s first Saturday home game will take place under the lights on Sept. 12 against the Tennessee Volunteers and all fans will receive a gold pom-pom. Their final home game of the month on Sept. 19 will be Family Weekend, Spirit Day and Band Day all rolled up into one as the Mercer Bears from Macon come into town for a challenge. College football in Atlanta is truly special, and you can’t go wrong by visiting a venue packed with history like Bobby Dodd Stadium. 

Georgia State Football

Just under five miles away from the campus of Georgia Tech, the Georgia State Panthers will take the field at Center Parc Stadium as Atlanta’s Sun Belt Conference representatives for another exciting season on the gridiron. If you’re a first-year Georgia State student and you happen to be reading this, now’s your chance to run onto the field with the football team. The Panthers are running a #FanFromDay1 promotion for their home opener on Sept. 4 against North Carolina A&T, where first-year students can sign up to join the football team as they take the field. They’ll also have fireworks after the game, so stay for that. 

Additionally, Family Weekend and Throwback to ‘96 Day will happen on Sept. 26 against Northern Illinois. If you have any retro Georgia State merchandise, you’re encouraged to bring it in order to swap it out with some new Georgia State merch compliments of the Panthers. With this and the affordable prices, Georgia State is looking to make their gameday experience fun without breaking the bank. 

AUC Football

Of course, Georgia Tech and Georgia State aren’t the only schools who have football teams here in Atlanta. The Morehouse Maroon Tigers and the Clark Atlanta Panthers will also be in action and kicking off their season here in September. In fact, Morehouse and Clark Atlanta will square off against each other at B.T. Harvey Stadium on Sept. 5 in what’s been deemed the Labor Day Classic. That game will be a full experience, with an official tailgate and other events surrounding the game that are aimed at celebrating the history and culture of the AUC. Outside of homecoming, this figures to be the biggest game in Atlanta for both schools, and it will surely be a vibrant celebration of everything that makes both of these HBCUs truly great. 

Atlanta Roller Derby

There’s a new venue for the rough-and-tumble action provided by the athletes over at Atlanta Roller Derby. The Golden Glide Skating Rink is the spot to be at if you want to see some intense clanging-and-banging on the flat track. The action will take place on Sept. 26, starting at 5 p.m. with a home team grudge match and then at 7:30 p.m. the home team championship takes place. Additionally, if you’re 21 or older, then you can take part in the Adult Skate Night afterparty starting at 10 p.m. Whether you’re a fan or you’re just looking to have some fun on the rink once the action is finished, then Golden Glide in Decatur is the place to visit.

Georgia Tech Volleyball

College Volleyball season is now in full swing and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will be spiking balls all over the court throughout the month of September. Head Coach Michelle Collier’s thirteenth season in charge will see her squad play six home games during September – the most notable dates include a pint glass giveaway on Sept. 4 against Southern Indiana, a whiteout on Sept. 8 against the Oklahoma Sooners and postgame autographs on Sept. 6 against Xavier and Sept. 27 against Virginia. The other two home games include matchups against Campbell on Sept. 5 and Virginia Tech on Sept. 25. If you’re looking for a change of pace from all of the football action, then the O’Keefe Gymnasium is the place for you, with tickets going for $18.

For more sports in the Fall, check out our seasonal guide.

Demetrius Bell is an Atlanta-based writer who focuses on the Atlanta Braves and sports in general in the Atlanta metro area. He is the Managing Editor of SB Nation’s Battery Power, which covers the Braves on a daily basis. His work can be found in Baseball Prospectus, Forbes.com, YardBarker.com and SB Nation.