Truist Park
| Company type | Stadium |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports venue |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Headquarters | Cumberland, Cobb County, Georgia , United States |
Area served | Atlanta metropolitan area |
| Owner | Atlanta Braves (Liberty Media) |
Truist Park serves as a baseball venue situated within the Atlanta metropolitan area, approximately 10 miles (16 km) northwest of downtown Atlanta in the unincorporated area of Cumberland, Cobb County, Georgia. Since its opening in 2017, it has been the home field for the Major League Baseball team, the Atlanta Braves. Initially called SunTrust Park after its namesake SunTrust Bank, the stadium adopted the name Truist Park in 2020 following the bank’s merger that created Truist Financial.
The stadium was developed through a public–private partnership with a total budget of $622 million. The Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority issued bonds amounting to $397 million. Additionally, $14 million was sourced from transportation taxes and $10 million from businesses within the Cumberland Community Improvement District. The Braves covered the remaining expenses related to both the ballpark and the surrounding mixed-use development known as The Battery Atlanta. According to a 2015 security filing by Braves’ parent company Liberty Media, $672 million was allocated for Truist Park and another $452 million for The Battery Atlanta, combining to a total investment exceeding $1.1 billion. Over a 30-year period, the Braves pledged $181 million toward repaying county-issued bonds.
A soft launch event took place on March 31, 2017, exclusively for season ticket holders, featuring a preseason matchup against the New York Yankees. The inaugural regular season game was held on April 14, 2017, when the Braves faced off against the San Diego Padres.
Departure from Turner Field
On November 11, 2013, the Braves declared their intention to vacate Turner Field following the conclusion of the 2016 Atlanta Braves season. Turner Field had been their home since 1997; it was originally constructed as Centennial Olympic Stadium for the 1996 Olympics before being converted into a baseball-specific stadium. Owned by the Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation Authority (AFCRA), Turner Field was leased to the Braves for a 20-year term during which they managed stadium operations. Despite its relative modernity compared to other MLB venues, Turner Field required considerable investment.
Vice chairman John Schuerholz estimated that renovations would cost approximately $350 million—divided into $150 million for structural repairs and $200 million aimed at improving fan amenities. Executive vice president Mike Plant pointed out that capital upkeep expenses at Truist Park would be substantially lower because Turner Field had been designed with cost-saving measures tailored for Olympic use, resulting in higher long-term maintenance costs.
Braves leadership identified several factors impacting attendance negatively, including traffic congestion in metro Atlanta and insufficient parking capacity—about 5,000 fewer spaces than needed. Plant also emphasized that Turner Field’s downtown location was not ideal given that most fans resided elsewhere in the metropolitan area. While the Braves controlled stadium operations at Turner Field, they did not have authority over adjacent commercial development, unlike newer ballparks that feature integrated mixed-use retail and entertainment complexes.
Attempts in 2013 to negotiate an extension of the lease with AFCRA were unsuccessful. Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed acknowledged that the city was unable to finance the extensive renovations sought by the Braves, particularly while simultaneously funding construction of Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the National Football League's Atlanta Falcons.
Planning
During the summer of 2013, the Braves and Cobb County Commission Chairman Tim Lee narrowed down potential sites within Cobb County. The selected location lies adjacent to the junction of Interstate 75 and Interstate 285, which the Braves identify as being near the central area of their fan demographic. The stadium's seating capacity is roughly 8,000 seats fewer than that of Turner Field.
By January 2017, the Braves revealed that more than 11,000 parking spaces—either owned or leased—would be available on game days, exceeding Turner Field’s capacity by 2,500 spots. They also launched a private shuttle service connecting managed parking areas with key points across metro Atlanta. To mitigate traffic congestion, weekday games commence at 7:30 pm, a half-hour later than the 7 pm start time used at Turner Field. In total, about 30,000 parking spaces exist within close proximity of the ballpark.
The stadium itself occupies a portion of a larger site; the remainder is allocated for parking, green areas, and mixed-use developments. Although Truist Park is located more than from the nearest train station, the Braves provide a "circulator" bus system to transport fans between transit points and the venue.
The Battery Atlanta
On November 20, 2013, the Braves unveiled plans for a $400 million entertainment district encircling the ballpark. This development, called The Battery Atlanta, integrates retail shops, dining establishments, residential units, and office spaces. The district opened in stages starting in 2017.
Design
The Braves commissioned Populous to design their new stadium. Populous has been responsible for designing 19 of the current 30 Major League Baseball parks, including Marlins Park, Target Field, and Yankee Stadium. They were selected over HKS, Inc., who had previously provided consulting services to the Braves.
On May 14, 2014, initial renderings were released depicting a ballpark oriented toward the southeast. This orientation was influenced by the site's topography and existing gas line infrastructure. A sun study verified that this alignment would not interfere with gameplay.
Constructed on a sloping, rocky terrain, the stadium adopts a vertical design due to spatial constraints, which brings spectators closer to the field compared to Turner Field—the farthest seat in the upper deck is positioned nearer to the action. The exterior prominently features brickwork that pays homage to masonry traditions common in the Southeastern United States. Braves Executive Vice President Derek Schiller characterized the design as possessing "timelessness," with pre-cast stone at entryways delivering a "custom hand-laid" appearance. Architectural details such as porches and trellises provide shade while adding warmth and scale to the structure.
Earl Santee, managing director at Populous, emphasized their close partnership with master planners to ensure cohesive integration with surrounding developments, creating "a fully integrated experience that's never been seen in baseball before."
Construction
On April 16, 2014, officials from the Atlanta Braves and Cobb County revealed the construction schedule for the new stadium. Following a Cobb County commission approval on May 27, site preparation commenced in June 2014. The Braves officially broke ground at the location near the northwest junction of Interstates 75 and 285 on September 16.
A significant challenge during construction involved relocating three underground natural gas pipelines beneath the site, a complex and costly $14 million task that postponed progress. Two of these lines, situated approximately eight feet below ground, were owned by Colonial Pipeline Company, while the third belonged to Atlanta Gas Light Company. By early November 2014, all pipelines had been repositioned to the site’s perimeter.
In November 2014, crews began drilling pylon holes around the stadium’s boundary. The initial phase included installing essential infrastructure such as sewer, water, and electrical systems, as well as constructing retention walls for the subterranean service level that houses parking for players and staff. By May 2015, all foundation caissons were in place, enabling concrete deck pouring to start.
On August 27, 2015, a ceremonial event marked the placement of the first brick out of the 775,000 bricks forming Truist Park’s main exterior. The ceremony was attended by Braves executives, Cobb County officials, sponsors, former player Hank Aaron, and then-first baseman Freddie Freeman. Two time capsules containing memorabilia—such as a groundbreaking video and a baseball autographed by the 1995 championship team—were sealed during this occasion.
Construction of a pedestrian bridge linking SunTrust Park with Cobb Galleria across Interstate 285 began in June 2016. The project was financed through contributions including $5 million from the Cumberland Community Improvement District, $4.5 million in federal grants, $380,000 from the Braves organization, and $159,000 from a special taxing district supporting stadium development.
By July 2016, seat installation commenced alongside the placement of hundreds of LED lights outlining the ballpark’s canopy edge and a prominent illuminated tomahawk feature. The metal canopy covering approximately 108,000 square feet—shielding nearly 60% of seating areas—was completed by August. At that point, seating and lighting installations were finalized and cranes removed from the site.
Most exterior work was finished by January 2017. After concluding the 2016 season at Turner Field, Braves personnel began relocating equipment to the new venue. Progress on the playing field included installing drainage and irrigation systems followed by layering gravel, sand, soil, shaping the pitcher’s mound and infield, constructing the warning track, and applying final topsoil in January.
The Braves were granted a certificate of occupancy for the entire stadium on February 24, 2017. With seats and video boards installed by then, sod covering 109,000 square feet was laid starting March 4 over two to three days.
Opening
| scope="row" style="Template:Baseball primary style; |Stadium firsts | scope="row" style="Template:Baseball primary style; |Statistics |
|---|---|
| style="Template:Baseball secondary style;|First game | April 14, 2017 Braves 5, Padres 2 |
| scope"row" style="Template:Baseball secondary style;| Ceremonial first pitch | Hank Aaron |
| scope"row" style="Template:Baseball secondary style;| First pitch | Julio Teherán |
| scope"row" style="Template:Baseball secondary style;| First batter | Manuel Margot (Padres) |
| scope"row" style="Template:Baseball secondary style;| First hit | Ender Inciarte |
| scope"row" style="Template:Baseball secondary style;| First home run | Ender Inciarte |
| scope"row" style="Template:Baseball secondary style;| First win | Julio Teherán |
| scope"row" style="Template:Baseball secondary style;| First save | Jim Johnson |
| scope"row" style="Template:Baseball secondary style;| First postseason game | October 8, 2018 Braves 6, Dodgers 5 |
The 2017 Atlanta Braves season represented the franchise’s debut campaign at Truist Park. Their first game in the ballpark was an exhibition win over the New York Yankees on March 31, 2017, finishing with an 8–5 score.
On January 25, 2017, it was announced that Truist Park’s inaugural public event would be a college baseball game between the University of Georgia and University of Missouri on April 8, 2017. This game attracted an audience of 33,025 spectators as Missouri defeated Georgia by a score of 6–1. Missouri's Trey Harris recorded the stadium’s first home run.
The regular-season opener for the Braves occurred on April 14, 2017. During pregame festivities, ten retired numbers were revealed on a left-field facade with seven honorees—including Hank Aaron and Bobby Cox—present for the ceremony. Aaron threw out the ceremonial first pitch while Cox caught it. The Braves secured a victory over the Padres, winning 5–2. Center fielder Ender Inciarte achieved several firsts at Truist Park: recording its initial out, hit, run scored, and home run. Starting pitcher Julio Teherán, who had earned the final win at Turner Field previously, also claimed Truist Park’s first pitching victory.
Naming rights
In 2014, Atlanta-based SunTrust Banks obtained the stadium’s naming rights for a duration of 25 years. After SunTrust merged with BB&T in 2019 to form Truist Financial, the facility continued to be known as SunTrust Park throughout that season. In January 2020, the Braves and Truist Financial officially renamed the venue Truist Park, aligning it with the new corporate branding.
The stadium’s design emphasizes intimacy by positioning a greater proportion of seats nearer to the playing field than any other Major League Baseball venue. Derek Schiller, Braves executive vice president of sales and marketing, explained that the cantilevered middle and upper seating bowls extend toward the field while preserving foul territory dimensions. A broad canopy encircles the stadium’s uppermost level, complemented by air conditioning on every tier to ensure fan comfort during warmer months. The architectural plan also incorporates the site’s natural terrain. Energy-efficient LED lights are utilized to enhance illumination quality for spectators and broadcasts while minimizing recovery time following power interruptions.
Water feature
Located beyond the center-field fence, Truist Park’s batter’s eye includes three evergreen trees that provide a natural visual backdrop for hitters. This concept was inspired by a similar feature at Coors Field, home to the Colorado Rockies. The area is further enhanced with boulders and a waterfall element. A fountain within this section propels water upward toward the main video board and activates to commemorate Braves home runs and victories.
Foul ball protection
Truist Park incorporates extended protective netting designed to shield fans from foul balls. The netting stretches 145 feet along the third-base side and 149 feet down the first-base line, exceeding the coverage provided at the team’s previous stadium, Turner Field. Although slightly shorter in height—31.5 feet versus Turner Field’s 35 feet—advancements in netting materials allow for thinner yet stronger coverage that maximizes safety without significantly obstructing views. Braves president Derek Schiller highlighted that this configuration strikes a balance between fan protection and viewing experience, influenced by the ballpark’s structural design and cable placements.
Playing surface
The Braves opted for Seashore Paspalum, Platinum TE variety, as their field’s grass species. In 2012, they transitioned from Tifway 419 hybrid Bermuda grass in Turner Field’s infield to paspalum to achieve a slower playing surface advantageous to infielders; Bermuda grass remained in outfield areas while foul territory was converted to paspalum. At Truist Park, paspalum covers the entire playing surface. This type of grass is commonly found on coastal golf courses and is also used at Minute Maid Park.
Before the 2023 Major League Baseball season, the Braves transitioned to a hybrid Bermuda grass overseeded with perennial Ryegrass.
Monument Garden and statues
While Truist Park does not contain a dedicated Braves museum, Monument Garden located behind home plate serves as a tribute to franchise history through an immersive display incorporating audio, lighting, and water features. Collaborating with Atlanta-based A-R-T & Associates, the Braves developed a 300-piece artistic installation celebrating historic moments via portraits, action imagery, vintage baseball cards, macro photography, and a LEGO mosaic. Artifacts from the Ivan Allen Jr. Braves Museum & Hall of Fame previously housed at Turner Field are integrated throughout.
The focal point is a statue of Hank Aaron crafted by Atlanta artist Ross Rossin, capturing Aaron breaking Babe Ruth’s record of 714 home runs on April 8, 1974. Positioned behind this statue is an installation featuring 755 baseball bats representing Aaron’s career home run total. A video display narrates his life story; additional statues honoring franchise icons are situated around the stadium. The bat and ball from Aaron’s historic 715th home run are exhibited in the Hank Aaron Terrace above left field.
On April 13, 2017, a statue commemorating former manager Bobby Cox was unveiled outside Truist Park. It stands alongside statues of legendary players Warren Spahn and Phil Niekro.
Technology
The stadium is equipped with a Wi-Fi system capable of supporting between 10,000 and 14,000 simultaneous users during typical game days, providing sufficient bandwidth for every fan at a sold-out event to share selfies at the same time. On peak Fridays and Saturdays, data consumption can surge up to 8.3 terabits. The technological infrastructure comprises 250 miles of single-mode fiber optic cables, 500 miles of CAT6A wiring, and 1,350 802.11ac wireless access points—900 located within the ballpark and 450 throughout the nearby Battery district. Furthermore, the venue contains 1,350 Panasonic television units distributed across various locations.
Announcement and polls
After the stadium was announced, both proponents and opponents mobilized campaigns ahead of the Cobb County Commission's vote held just two weeks later. More than 80% of residents expressed support for postponing the vote; however, county officials maintained that any delay would threaten the stadium’s schedule.
A November 2013 poll by InsiderAdvantage/FOX 5 indicated that 59% of registered voters in Cobb favored constructing a new Braves stadium. Yet when questioned about financing it through county taxes, support dropped sharply to 30%, with 56% opposing such funding. Similarly, a University of Florida survey in September 2014 revealed that 55% of participants would have backed the stadium in a referendum.
Public hearing and vote
Two weeks following the Braves’ stadium announcement, the Cobb County Commission convened a public hearing to decide on approving the project. Supporters and detractors gathered hours before the 7 p.m. session, many wearing "Cobb: Home of the Braves" apparel. After an hour-long public commentary period, the Commission voted 4–1 in favor of a memorandum of understanding with the Braves organization. Subsequently, on May 27, 2014, commissioners unanimously passed an operating agreement permitting the county to borrow up to $397 million for stadium construction.
Appeal and aftermath
Opposition to bond issuance was led by retired businessman Larry Savage, attorney Tucker Hobgood, and Austell resident Rich Pellegrino through appeals filed with the Georgia Supreme Court. Cobb County’s legal representation included attorneys Lesly Gaynor Murray and Blake Sharpton from Butler Snow, serving as bond counsel. The appeal was heard in February 2015, and on June 29, 2015, the Court unanimously upheld the authorization for bonds, effectively concluding legal opposition to SunTrust Park.
In July 2016, Cobb County commissioner Tim Lee was defeated by Mike Boyce in an election largely viewed as a referendum on the stadium agreement. Despite this loss, Lee noted that four other commissioners who supported the Braves were re-elected.
Ballpark reputation
The ballpark’s debut received favorable feedback. Woody Studenmund of Hardball Times described it as a "gem," commending "the compact elegance of the stadium along with its innovative blend of baseball, commerce, and social engagement." J.J. Cooper from Baseball America emphasized "exceptional sight lines from nearly every seat" and remarked that "the Wi-Fi performs reliably and quickly even when filled with smartphone users."
During early games in its inaugural season, many speculated that the ballpark favored hitters. In May 2017, Braves manager Brian Snitker remarked, "Everyone will enjoy hitting here—not just left-handers." Nevertheless, according to MLB park factors, Truist Park does not present a significant advantage to either pitchers or hitters.
Attendance
|
(*) – Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no spectators were permitted inside MLB ballparks during the 2020 season.
Notable events
Truist Park served as the venue for Games 3 through 5 of the 2021 World Series, marking its inaugural hosting of World Series contests. The Atlanta Braves secured victories in Games 3 and 4 but were defeated in Game 5. Additionally, the stadium was the site of the 2025 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, a first for this facility. The National League emerged victorious after a swing-off tiebreaker, with Kyle Schwarber earning Most Valuable Player honors.
Outside of baseball, Truist Park has accommodated a college football matchup in November 2018 featuring Kennesaw State University versus Jacksonville State University. The stadium also functions as a concert location for prominent performers such as Lady Gaga, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Billy Joel.
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- Buildings and structures in Cobb County, Georgia
- Major League Baseball venues
- Atlanta Braves stadiums
- Baseball venues in Georgia (U.S. state)
- Sports in Cobb County, Georgia
- Sports venues completed in 2017
- Populous (company) buildings
- 2017 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)
- Cumberland, Georgia
- SunTrust Banks