Report: Mercedes Benz-Stadium’s retractable roof design causing problems

According to reports from both the Atlanta Business Chronicle and 11 Alive News, Mercedes-Benz Stadium could have a major issue with its retractable roof. The Georgia World Congress Center Authority, the body that will own the completed stadium, has informed the Falcons that the roof is being “evaluated.”

Metal panels for the roof are supposed to be able to open and close completely in less than 10 minutes, allowing for open-air games. But the Business Chronicle reports that the complex design has forced another delay for the stadium, which was supposed to open this month. That timeline has now been pushed back to June. - via 11 Alive News

A spokesperson for Arthur Blank told 11 Alive that there are no changes in the event schedule for the new stadium that currently sees Atlanta United open against Orlando City on July 30th.

A source told Dirty South Soccer in January that there could be an issue with the retractable roof and that United matches for the first season could be played with an open roof. A spokesperson for the stadium denied these claims and said the roof was on schedule for completion and would work as intended. Officials also repeated the same to 11 Alive in these most recent reports.

The questions all seem to be fixated on the roof and not whether or not the stadium will open on time. Stay tuned to DSS and we’ll update if any further information comes along.