Are you ready for some football? Atlanta Falcons game is going to be a bit different this weekend

ATLANTA — Atlanta Falcons fans are getting ready for Sunday’s game, but they aren’t headed to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The team is not allowing fans into the stadium for at least the first two home games.

Despite the ban, Channel 2′s Matt Johnson found that there still might be people outside the stadium in the parking lots to tailgate.

There are no specific restrictions against it from the city of Atlanta as there are in some other cities across the country. But officials are still urging safety.

Seth Bates said he can’t wait to bring his tailgate setup outside of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

“If they’ll let us go out there and tailgate, we’ll be there doing it,” Bates said.

Fans won’t be allowed to tailgate on Falcons' property.

But there are no city restrictions specifically for tailgating on any of the surrounding private parking lots.

“Everybody’s ready to kind of get out of their house and do the next thing. And tailgating, you know, we can do that safely. We can all wear our masks,” Bates said.

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Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms signed an executive order on Friday, moving the city’s coronavirus reopening plan into phase 2.

That means only small private gatherings — each no more than 10 people — are recommended.

A city spokesperson sent Johnson a statement, saying:

"COVID-19 continues to ravage our communities—disproportionately impacting Black and Brown communities. If we are to curb the spread of this deadly disease, residents, visitors and businesses must take personal responsibility, wear masks, practice distance and take every precaution possible to stay safe.

“The Mayor’s mask mandate and orders on gathering remain in effect. Local and State guidelines are enforceable.”

Inside the stadium, a limited amount of media will be just about the only extra people allowed to watch the game.

Channel 2 sports director Zach Klein will be a part of the switch to virtual postgame interviews.

“Other members of the media will type in their questions into the chat online, and then I will ask those questions that are in the chat to the head coach and to the quarterback. It’s something we’ve never done before,” Klein said.

Carolyn Freeman of Macon told Johnson that she never misses a tailgate by the stadium — so much so that she has a nickname.

“I became the bird lady in ’98,” Freeman said. “I bring my backup dancers. I bring the burdens and will perform at the tailgates and go around, and I just live.”

But she said this year, because of health concerns, she will be rising up at home.

It is important to point out that the mayor’s executive orders are just guidelines from the city.

Gov. Brian Kemp’s executive orders supersede the city’s.

On top of limiting each gathering to no more than 10 people, the mayor’s guidelines also suggest pickups at restaurants and stores.

The mayor’s order does have a city mandate to wear a mask when you’re out in public.

Falcons to play Seattle this weekend without a crowd The Falcons' season will kick-off this weekend at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with no one in the stands.

Cox Media Group