Step Inside: State Farm Arena – Home of the Atlanta Hawks

Home of the Atlanta Hawks

State Farm Arena has been the home of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks since 1999, when it opened originally as Philips Arena. Right in the heart of downtown Atlanta, State Farm Arena is located within walking distance of attractions like the city’s iconic Centennial Olympic Park and the World of Coca-Cola Museum. The indoor facility can be found across the street from the Atlanta Convention Center.

Below, take a step inside State Farm Arena and get tickets to Hawks games on Ticketmaster.

State Farm Arena History

Ted Turner, the owner of the Hawks from the late 1970s to early 1990s, had a goal of bringing sports home to Atlanta; the city’s first NHL team, the Atlanta Flames, had moved to Calgary in 1980. By the early ‘90s, the city’s downtown Omni Coliseum had been deemed unsuitable for large-scale sporting events due to structural problems and lack of amenities, like club rooms and VIP spaces, which were increasing in popularity at the time. The Omni was then demolished, and ground broke for a more advanced arena in 1997.

The new facility opened in the fall of 1999, kicking off its next chapter with an Elton John concert. It was renamed to State Farm Arena after a $192.5 million renovation that updated the venue through 2017 and 2018. Over the years, the arena has hosted acts like Bruno Mars, Aerosmith, Billy Joel and Lady Gaga, in addition to regularly welcoming MMA fights, WWE matches, and other events.

As the home of the Atlanta Hawks, State Farm Arena displays a banner celebrating the team’s 2015 Southeast Division Championship win. From the time State Farm Arena opened in 1999 until the Atlanta Thrashers moved to Winnipeg in 2011, the arena served as the hockey team’s home, in addition to the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, who utilized the space from 2008 to 2016 and later in 2019.

State Farm Arena has received a number of awards throughout its operation, including recognition for 2018/19 NBA Best In-Game Experience, 2019 IAVM Venue Excellence Award, and the 2020 Pollstar winner for Best New Concert Venue. Notably, in 2022, State Farm Arena became the first sports and entertainment venue to be TRUE Platinum Certified for Zero Waste.

Parking & Admission at State Farm Arena

State Farm Arena is located at 1 State Farm Drive in Atlanta, Georgia and offers a number of parking options for guests. Three official lots — State Farm Drive, Ruby, and Sapphire — surround the building, featuring a variety of pricing options that can be pre-booked here. Those up for a slightly longer walk can find all public garages in the area by selecting their event and exploring options here. Additionally, the Diamond Deck Parking Garage is the designated entrance for players, artists, and VIP guests.

For guests opting for rideshare, a pickup zone can be found next to International Plaza and State Farm Drive, which is accessible from Andrew Young International Boulevard. Exiting the arena via gates 5 or 7 is the best way to locate the signage for Ubers, Lyfts, or taxis.

Atlanta’s metro system, MARTA, is also a great way to reach State Farm Arena. The GWCC/Philips Arena CNN Center Station is accessible via the Blue and Green lines; after arriving and exiting out into the station, simply take the escalator to State Farm Arena. Exiting the arena via Gates 4, 5, or 2 will lead back to the station.

While State Farm Arena does not enforce a clear bag system, their policy states that all bags must be 14″ x 14″ x 6″ or smaller, with all bags subjected to a security screening. Briefcases, purses, and luggage are not allowed into the building, but non-compliant bags can be checked for a fee at a station near Gate 2 beginning two hours prior to an event, where they’ll be held for pickup until one hour past its conclusion.

Other prohibited items include (but are not limited to) weapons of any kind, aerosol cans, outside food and beverages, lighters, fireworks, beach balls, laser pointers, cameras with detachable lenses, drones, and laptops.

State Farm Arena Capacity & Seating Options

State Farm Arena has a capacity of 16,600 and an array of premium ticket levels. Suite packages are divided into four tiers: Loft suites boast sideline views for 14 – 20 guests, while the Veranda suites are positioned on the sidelines of the lower bowl and welcome 16 – 27 guests. The Shareable Social Cabana level hosts 8 – 10 guests. Food, beer, and wine are included in these experiences.

Lastly, the Topgolf Swing Suite is an excellent option for larger groups and can host up to 100 people. This private space features HDTVs and Topgolf simulators in addition to a variety of free food and beverages. Alcohol is available for purchase in this suite.

State Farm Arena also boasts a number of clubs, which the venue shares were designed to promote socialization and connectivity. Read details of each club, including all-inclusive food and beverage offers and VIP parking perks, here.

View the State Farm Arena seating chart on Ticketmaster.

Food & Beverage Options at State Farm Arena

From Atlanta favorites to global brands, State Farm Arena offers a wide range of cuisine and drinks to enjoy during a concert or game. Throughout the area, shop from local staples like J.R. Crickets and Dolo’s Pizza, or spend some time at the Hawk Walk Market, a large food hall serving up chef-driven choices. The arena features a number of vegetarian and dietary-restricted options, such as mediterranean vegan falafel and buffalo cauliflower bites, which can be found on both the 100 and 200 levels.

Sections 207 – 211 are marked as The Chick-fil-A Fan Zone, which features brand staples along the upper deck. Elsewhere, pull up a chair at the Zac Brown Social Club or swing over to the Scofflaw Beer Barn to explore curated menus.