Truist Park opened on March 28, 2017

Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, opened to the public on March 28, 2017, with the Braves playing the San Diego Padres in the inaugural game. The stadium replaced Turner Field, which had been the Braves' home since 1997. Construction began in 2014 on a 57-acre site in Cobb County, northwest of downtown Atlanta, and took roughly three years to complete. The ballpark cost approximately $622 million to build and was originally called SunTrust Park until 2021, when the naming rights transferred to Truist Financial Corporation following a corporate merger.

The project was funded through a combination of public and private money, including a Cobb County sales tax increase that voters approved in 2014. The stadium was designed to hold approximately 41,149 people and included modern amenities such as club seating, premium suites, standing-room areas, and a large video board. The facility also incorporated surrounding development—parking areas, retail spaces, and restaurants—to create a mixed-use entertainment district around the ballpark.

Key Takeaways

  • Truist Park opened on March 28, 2017, as the new home of the Atlanta Braves baseball team in Cobb County, Georgia.
  • Construction took three years, beginning in 2014 on a 57-acre site that required demolition of existing structures and development of parking and retail areas.
  • The total construction cost was approximately $622 million, funded through public and private sources including a voter-approved Cobb County sales tax increase.
  • The ballpark was originally named SunTrust Park and was renamed Truist Park in 2021 after SunTrust Banks merged with BB&T to form Truist Financial Corporation.
  • The stadium holds 41,149 people and features modern amenities including premium seating, climate-controlled spaces, and views of the Atlanta skyline from certain sections.

Why the Braves left Turner Field for Cobb County

The Atlanta Braves played at Turner Field from 1997 until 2016. Turner Field, located in the Summerhill neighborhood south of downtown Atlanta, had served the team for nearly two decades. However, the Braves organization decided the facility needed replacement and began exploring relocation options in the early 2010s. The team cited the age of the facility and the desire for modern amenities as reasons for the move.

The Braves selected a site in Cobb County, about 10 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta, near the Cumberland area. This location was chosen partly for its proximity to major highways—Interstate 75 and Interstate 285—and partly because the organization believed it would attract fans from the northern suburbs and surrounding counties. The move was controversial among some Atlanta residents and community leaders who viewed it as abandonment of the city's downtown sports district and a loss of economic activity in the urban core.

The construction process from 2014 to 2017

Ground was broken on the new stadium in 2014. The construction process involved demolishing existing commercial and industrial structures on the 57-acre site and building the ballpark from the foundation up. The project required coordination among multiple contractors and specialized teams to handle the complex structural, electrical, and mechanical systems needed for a modern sports facility.

Beyond the stadium itself, the construction project included significant surrounding development. Workers built extensive parking areas designed to handle game-day traffic, retail spaces intended to draw visitors on non-game days, and restaurants and concession areas. This mixed-use approach meant the construction timeline involved not just the ballpark but an entire entertainment district. The project was completed on schedule, allowing the Braves to move from Turner Field and begin play at the new venue in spring 2017.

Design features and seating capacity

Truist Park was built with a contemporary design that references classic ballpark architecture. The stadium includes a large video board for replays and statistics, modern LED lighting systems, and climate-controlled spaces for premium seating areas. The seating bowl is oriented to provide views of the Atlanta skyline from certain sections, creating a distinctive visual experience for fans.

The facility has a seating capacity of 41,149. The stadium also includes standing-room areas and standing-room-only sections that can accommodate additional spectators during high-demand games. The design allows for future expansion if the Braves organization decides to increase capacity. The stadium features multiple levels of seating, from field-level seats to upper-deck areas, with different price points to serve various fan demographics.

The naming rights transition from SunTrust to Truist

When the stadium opened in 2017, it was called SunTrust Park, named after SunTrust Banks, which purchased the naming rights as the primary corporate sponsor. SunTrust Banks had been a major financial institution in the Southeast for decades and was headquartered in Atlanta. The naming rights agreement was a significant part of the stadium's funding structure and helped offset construction costs.

In 2021, SunTrust Banks merged with BB&T Corporation to form Truist Financial Corporation. As part of the merger agreement, the naming rights transferred to Truist, and the stadium was officially renamed Truist Park on June 17, 2021. Truist Financial Corporation remains the primary corporate sponsor and namesake of the facility. This type of naming rights transfer is common in professional sports when corporate sponsors merge or are acquired by larger companies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was on the site before Truist Park was built?

The 57-acre site in Cobb County was previously occupied by various commercial and industrial structures, including warehouses and office buildings. The Braves organization purchased the land and demolished existing buildings to make way for the new stadium and surrounding development, including parking areas and retail spaces.

Why did the Braves move from Turner Field?

The Braves decided Turner Field needed replacement after nearly 20 years of use. The organization believed a new facility with modern amenities would better serve fans and the team. The Cobb County location was chosen for its proximity to northern suburbs and major highways, which the team believed would increase attendance from surrounding areas.

How much did Truist Park cost to build?

The total construction cost was approximately $622 million. The project was funded through a combination of public and private money, including a Cobb County sales tax increase that voters approved in 2014. The naming rights agreement with SunTrust Banks also contributed to the funding structure.

What was the original name of the stadium?

The stadium opened as SunTrust Park in 2017, named after SunTrust Banks. It was renamed Truist Park in 2021 when SunTrust Banks merged with BB&T to form Truist Financial Corporation, and the naming rights transferred to the new company.

How many people can Truist Park hold?

Truist Park has a seating capacity of 41,149. The stadium also includes standing-room areas and standing-room-only sections that can accommodate additional spectators during high-demand games, allowing for flexibility in total attendance on any given day.