Originally built for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Turner Field is now one of the premier places to watch a baseball game. With an aging Atlanta Fulton County Stadium, the Braves began pursuing a new stadium in the late 1980s. With the announcement that the '96 Olympics would be played in Atlanta, the city and the Braves joined forces in building a stadium. The stadium would first host the Olympics and then be converted to a baseball stadium. The ballpark was built and shaped for the purpose of baseball. The exterior is brick and limestone, similar to other ballparks. Temporary bleachers were built beyond the outfield fence to allow for a larger capacity for the Olympics. After the games ended, the stadium was retro-fitted and converted to baseball. The columns that supported the bleachers are now posts for a fence that surrounds Monument Grove plaza.

Built next to Atlanta Fulton County Stadium, the state of the art facility opened on April 4, 1997 with a capacity of 50,096. The stadium was named Turner Field after then Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner. Upon arriving at Turner Field, many fans park north of the ballpark, beyond the outfield stands. Walking toward the ballpark, fans pass over the former site of Atlanta Fulton County Stadium. The base paths and playing field is marked out in what is now a parking lot, and part of the retaining wall of Atlanta Fulton County Stadium remains. As fans approach the ballpark they can see the brick and limestone walls of Turner Field and the blue seats in the upper deck. There are many entrances around the ballpark, with most fans entering through the Grand Entry Plaza. Inside this area includes an entertainment/concession areas of food and game filled pavilions, Scouts Alley, and Tooner Field. A 100 foot diameter photograph of Hank Aaron’s 715th homerun ball dominates the Plaza side scoreboard. Adjacent to the plaza is the Braves Hall of Fame and Monument Grove.

Upon entering the ballpark fans are on the field level. Ramps, stairs, and escalators throughout Turner Field take fans to the terrace level, the Lexus level, and the upper deck. The field level seating section extends from the left field foul pole around to home plate and to the right field foul pole. Additional seating is located in leftfield and in parts of right field. The Braves bullpen is located between the field pavilion seats in right field and the opposing team's bullpen beyond the left field foul pole. Fans can walk the entire lower concourse and never loose site of the game being played and can watch pitchers warm up in the bullpen. The next level up is the Lexus level that extends from right field to the right field foul pole around to home plate, and down and around the left field foul pole to the 755 restaurant. Not only is this the suite area, but is also an area where fans can purchase individual tickets for games. Perhaps the best part of this level is the air conditioned concourse. The upper deck extends from right field to the foul pole and around to home plate and down the third base line.

Turner Field Information