Budget, design approved for new Falcons stadium

The Atlanta Falcons new $1.2 billion stadium is set to open for the 2017 season. (Courtesy of AtlantaFalcons.com) The Georgia World Congress Center Authority

The Atlanta Falcons new $1.2 billion stadium is set to open for the 2017 season. (Courtesy of AtlantaFalcons.com)

The Georgia World Congress Center Authority board voted Tuesday to approve the new Atlanta Falcons stadium, set to be open in time for the 2017 season, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The stadium will cost $1.2 billion, up $200 million from the previous estimate.  The additional $200 million will be covered by the team.

The remainder of the cost for the stadium will be covered by the NFL and personal seat license sales from $800 million to $1 billion.

The Falcons currently play in the 71,000 seat Georgia Dome, which opened in 1992.

“We get $200 million more of whistles and bells, and the public is not charged any more for it,” Board chairman Tim Lowe said. “… I think it absolutely has the potential of being the best stadium in the world.”

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