The grand opening of the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium is being delayed for a third time due to construction problems.
The first two delays pushed the grand opening back to July 30, but the most recent delay means the stadium will not open until Aug. 26.
The first game in the new stadium was supposed to be a soccer match for Atlanta United, but now the first event will be an Atlanta Falcons preseason game.
Alabama and Florida State are still expected to square off in a massive college football showdown on Sept. 2 in the new dome.
Related: Favorite emerges for the mammoth showdown between Alabama and Florida State
Demolition of the Georgia Dome is being put on hold as an insurance policy in case there are further problems with the new stadium. Steve Cannon, the CEO of Atlanta Falcons parent company AMB Group, said he does not expect the Georgia Dome to be used again according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The new stadium, which costs $1.5 billion, was originally supposed to open on March 1, but it was delayed until June 1.
The Falcons play the Arizona Cardinals in a preseason game on Aug. 26, and they play another home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Aug. 31. Unless there are any more delays, those will be the first two games played in the new stadium.
(h/t AJC)
