Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a 71,000-seat, multi-purpose stadium home to the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League and Atlanta United FC of Major League Soccer. Owned by the Georgia World Congress Center Authority and operated by the Falcons and the NFL under a 30-year agreement, the venue is defined by a retractable roof that spans 14.5 acres in the shape of an oval, paired with translucent glass walls that draw in natural light and frame views of the Atlanta skyline. A $1.4 billion build that broke ground in April 2014 and reached completion in June 2017, the project demanded comprehensive lift solutions executed to the highest safety standards. That is where Maxim Crane came in.

The Challenge: Building at Stadium Scale

A venue of this size and complexity called for a lifting program that could match its scope and scale from groundbreaking to final lift. Several factors defined the challenge:

• A Massive, Long-Duration Build: With a three-year construction schedule on a $1.4 billion project, the work required sustained lift capacity and consistent execution across an extended timeline.
• A Complex Retractable Roof: The stadium’s defining feature, a retractable roof spanning 14.5 acres in the shape of an oval, represented one of the most demanding structural elements of the entire build.
• A Wide Range of Lifting Requirements: From lighter, precise picks to the heaviest structural lifts, the work called for equipment ranging from 40 to 2,535 tons, all deployed to exacting standards.
• Coordination Across Many Trades: Maxim worked alongside 12 contractors, requiring careful scheduling and communication to keep lifts moving safely within an active jobsite.

The Solution: The Right Crane for Every Lift

Maxim Crane met the project’s scope with a fleet of 24 cranes, matched to the specific demands of each phase of construction and backed by experienced crews and in-house expertise.

• A Purpose-Built Fleet: Maxim provided 24 cranes ranging from 40 to 2,535 tons, including conventional crawler cranes, an all-terrain crane, hydraulic truck cranes, rough terrain cranes, and a boom truck, a mix engineered to cover everything from tight, precise picks to the project’s heaviest structural lifts.
• Operated and Maintained by Maxim: The majority of the lifting equipment on site was operated and maintained by Maxim Crane, putting reliable machines and seasoned operators behind the project’s most critical lifts.
• Planning and Engineering Support: Beyond equipment, Maxim assisted with planning and engineering, helping to sequence and execute complex lifts safely within an active, multi-contractor jobsite.

The Results: 72,618 Machine Hours, Zero Major Incidents

Maxim Crane’s fleet, crews, and planning combined to deliver results that reflect both the scale of the project and the discipline behind it:

• A Landmark Completed: Mercedes-Benz Stadium reached completion in June 2017 after a three-year build, ready to host the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United FC, and events beneath its signature retractable roof.
• Over 72,618 Machine Hours Without Major Incident: Across the life of the project, Maxim completed more than 72,618 machine hours without a major incident, a direct result of rigorous planning and an unwavering commitment to safety.
• Comprehensive Lift Support, Start to Finish: From 40-ton picks to 2,535-ton capacity, Maxim supplied the equipment and expertise to keep a project of this magnitude moving safely forward.

Beyond the Crane: The Maxim Crane Advantage

The scope and scale of Mercedes-Benz Stadium called for more than equipment. It called for a partner capable of planning, engineering, and executing at the highest level, safely, over a multi-year build. Maxim delivered on every front:

• Fleet Depth: A 24-crane fleet ranging from 40 to 2,535 tons meant the right machine was on hand for every stage of the build, from precise picks to the heaviest structural lifts.
• Full-Service Support: Beyond lifting, Maxim contributed planning and engineering expertise and operated and maintained the majority of the equipment on site.
• Uncompromising Safety: More than 72,618 machine hours completed without a major incident reflects a culture where safety drives every decision.
• Proven on Landmark Projects: From professional sports venues to major commercial construction, Maxim has the fleet and experience to bring the most demanding builds to completion.

Bring Maxim’s Expertise to Your Next Project

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, crowned by its 14.5-acre retractable roof, is a reminder of what disciplined, large-scale lifting makes possible. Whether your next project is a professional sports venue, infrastructure work that demands serious capacity, or industrial construction with no margin for error, Maxim has the fleet, the crews, and the track record to make it happen. Contact us today to get started on your next lift.