The Atlanta Falcons are grappling with a major issue—low attendance at their home games is impacting the team's performance.
In the 2021 season, the Falcons had the seventh-highest percentage of empty seats in the NFL, a significant drop from their 2019 figures.
The team's home attendance dropped further last year, coinciding with a 7-9 record and missing out on the playoffs.
Starting the 2023 season at 4-6, the Falcons faced the highest percentage of empty seats in the NFL, despite a stadium capacity of 75,000.
In an attempt to boost attendance, the Falcons invited 60 hip-hop artists to perform during a game against the Saints, resulting in a modest increase.
The Falcons share the Mercedes-Benz Stadium with taxpayers, completed in 2017 for around $2 billion.
Despite attendance concerns, the Falcons secured a 24-15 victory over the Saints, bringing their record to 5-6.
While the NFC South as a whole is struggling, with the Buccaneers at 4-7 and the Panthers at 1-10, the Falcons remain in contention for the division title.
Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder acknowledges team challenges, emphasizing the importance of securing wins.
The Saints, considered one of the 2023 season's disappointments, faced offensive struggles, managing only field goals in a game against the Falcons.