The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) announced Thursday that the GWCC/Georgia Dome/CNN Center/Philips Arena/Omni Station – long one of the rail system’s most confusingly named stops – will officially become Sports, Entertainment, and Convention District Station, with the shortened nickname “SEC District Station.”

Loading … MARTA’s Sports, Entertainment, and Convention District Station

The change, effective immediately on all signage, maps, apps, and train announcements, is intended to better reflect the cluster of major venues within walking distance of the station and to help first-time riders and tourists more easily identify the stop.

MARTA made the announcement with a clever social media video that commemorated the eighth anniversary of the implosion of the old Georgia Dome, which has since been replaced by Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

“Visitors arriving in Atlanta shouldn’t have to memorize a 30-year history of arena sponsorships to figure out which station serves Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, and the Georgia World Congress Center,” said MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood. “This new name instantly tells you exactly what this area is all about – sports, entertainment, and conventions.”

The station, located on the Red and Gold lines just west of Downtown Atlanta, is a primary transit hub for:

  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United FC, major concerts, 2025 College Football Playoff events)
  • State Farm Arena (Atlanta Hawks, concerts)
  • Georgia World Congress Center (major conventions, trade shows, Fan Expo, Dragon Con)
  • Centennial Olympic Park
  • World of Coca-Cola
  • Georgia Aquarium
  • College Football Hall of Fame
  • CNN Center (studio tours)

The old name, GWCC/CNN Center, had become increasingly outdated as Philips Arena became State Farm Arena in 2018, the Georgia Dome was demolished in 2017, and the Omni Coliseum closed in 1997.

“SEC District” is already being embraced by fans and event organizers. The abbreviation conveniently mirrors the Southeastern Conference (SEC) whose championship football game is played annually at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, though MARTA officials stress the letters officially stand for Sports, Entertainment, and Convention.

New permanent signage is expected to be fully installed by early 2026, with temporary signage and digital updates already in place.

MARTA says the rename is part of a broader effort to make station names more intuitive across the system, especially ahead of Atlanta’s hosting of multiple 2026 FIFA World Cup matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

For more information and updated system maps, visit itsmarta.com.

MARTA is not just for transit, but its name is now associated with several great Atlanta restaurants near stations.