It has been just six years since the Dallas Cowboys opened "Jerry's World," a stadium that houses 110,000 fans, sports a retractable roof and, at the time, featured the largest high definition video display in human history.

The construction of the Arlington mega-stadium sparked competition that fans will appreciate for decades. The benchmark for stadiums was set again when the 49ers unveiled its new home last July. With its Silicon Valley sponsors and goal of being the "greenest stadium ever," Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara reflected the way the fan experience was changing. Technology, environmentalism and live entertainment were merging.

Now it's the Atlanta Falcons' turn to raise the bar.

The replacement for the Georgia Dome is set to be completed in 2017 and will also be home to an MLS expansion team. The plan is for the Falcons to host a Super Bowl by 2020.

"You don't just build a world-class stadium not to host the Super Bowl," says Mike Gomes, the Falcons' new senior vice president for fan experience. "We are making it clear that we are ready to host world-class events."

A partnership between IBM and Arthur M. Blank Sports and Entertainment (parent company of the Falcons) is part of that preparation.

"Arthur and the leadership here want to change the entertainment game," says Gomes, a former Disney executive.

Plans for the yet-to-be-named stadium include a retractable roof, more than 2,000 video displays, a tech lounge equipped for fantasy football enthusiasts, and a "smart" stadium environment interconnected through IBM network technologies.

But the crown jewel is expected to be an HD video Halo Board that measures 63,000 square foot (five stories tall).

"I'm super excited as a fan, and a partner, to see that Halo Board," says Shannon Miller, head of global strategy at IBM. "It's the largest screen in the world and to see what we can do with our technology platform to drive content on it, I am really excited."

With a revolutionary 360-degree design, the board is intended to give every viewer a unique visual experience by circling the stadium. This behemoth should be more than enough to make Jerry Jones envious.

Without unveiling too much of what AMBSE has in store for its fans, Gomes says the fan experience at the new stadium will be increasingly unique to the individual and cater to their desires in the digital age.

"With Netflix, Amazon or Facebook, it is highly personalized to the individual, but it has never been done with the stadium experience," Gomes says. "That is what we are working on.

"We want it to be so immersive, so compelling, so entertaining that the thought of watching it from home doesn't compare."

The new stadium will be located just 84 feet from the soon-to-be obsolete Georgia Dome, a location that resonates with those at AMBSE. Rather than construct the new stadium in miles away in the suburbs (which is what the Atlanta Braves are doing), Blank and AMBSE wanted the structure in the heart of Atlanta, so it could help with things such as job creation and a commitment to sustainability.

"You would like to be recognized for the loyalty you have given," Gomes says.

Check out more Atlanta Falcons stories on ThePostGame.

10 Best NFL Stadiums

 

The Flashiest: AT&T Stadium

Known not-so-affectionately as "Jerry World," after polarizing owner, Jerry Jones, it can hold more than 100,000 fans, easily the largest NFL venue. You're heard about the retractable roof, not to mention the HD Jumbotron that stretches from one 20-yard line to the other. It boasts field-level luxury boxes, pillar-less construction for unobstructed sightlines and off-field attractions like a Cowboys Hall of Fame. (Players are bigger and faster ... but at what cost? Follow the Evolution of the Football Player.)

 

The Top for Tech: Levi's Stadium

San Francisco's Levi's Stadium, the NFL's newest, is the most technologically advanced. (You wouldn't expect any different from a stadium in Silicon Valley.) Boasting Wi-Fi many times faster than its nearest competitor, not to mention stadium apps to order food and beverages from your seat, the "Field of Jeans" is easily the best venue to keep tabs on your fantasy team. The oversized inner bowl and relatively small upper decks mean there are few bad seats. (Mimic Kaepernick's speed and prowess.)

 

The Coziest Confines: Ford Field

Nestled in the heart of D-Town near casinos, restaurants and Comerica Park, the 2002-built brick-and-glass beauty is a fantastic place to spend a late fall afternoon. Vendors reflect the city's Greek and Polish roots with delicious gyro and sausage offerings. Plush lounges serve local craft beers and some of the most-inviting take-a-break-from-the-game environments you'll find. Whether the on-field product is good, you'll still have a blast. (Find inspiration with 20 Best Nuggets of Wisdom from NFL Coaches.)

 

The Best View: Sports Authority Field

The air is thin and the beer is cheap in Denver. With Peyton Manning slinging the pigskin, there aren't many more entertaining NFL teams to watch live. But during commercial breaks, your eyes will drift away from the field and toward the nearby Rocky Mountains, rising in the distance. The stadium's undulating upper deck mimics the up-and-down grandeur of the mountains. It's a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable experience. (If you want to bulk up fast, get Men’s Health Big Muscle Training Manual.)

 

The Ideal Amenities: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis

A lot of fans might be surprised to find "The Oil Drum" on this list -- but only those who have never visited. From cushioned, wide seats to the bright window wall looking out onto downtown, this is a fun, comfortable place. Vendors are numerous, smartly located and friendly. Architecture makes every seat a good one. Aesthetics incorporate local history and culture, so you feel like you're actually in a place -- not just some sponsorship-soaked cement dungeon. ("Super nerdy" interview: Andrew Luck.)

 

The Loudest: CenturyLink Field

There's no harder place in the NFL for visiting teams to win than "The Clink" -- the split-ceilinged, loud-as-a-rocket-blast home of defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. But CenturyLink Field offers visitors a lot more than noise; its beautiful downtown location, towering canyon-like design, and exposure to that famous Pacific Northwest weather make this stadium unlike any other in the country. (Learn 5 Secrets from an NFL Trainer you can apply to your own body-sculpting efforts.)

 

The Tastiest Tailgate: Arrowhead Stadium

Say the words "Kansas City," and a lot of guys will feel a few taste buds pop at the thought of the area's famous barbecue. The parking lot eats outside of Arrowhead Stadium do nothing to diminish the town's rep. Couple the first-class ribs with one of the most passionate (and friendly!) fan bases in the country, and any football aficionado will find an inviting atmosphere at the home of the Chiefs. MAJOR bonus points: Arrowhead is one of the last pro stadiums that isn't saddled with a corporate moniker.

 

The Overlooked Gem: Heinz Field

From its lovely downtown perch near the banks of the Ohio River, Pittsburgh's Heinz Field is everything an NFL stadium should be but often isn't -- a fun, inviting representation of its city and fans. It's hard to name specifics when you're trying to define a place's "feel" and atmosphere. But attend a Steelers game and you'll get it. The fans tend to be natives, and they obviously love their team and their city. You'll want to be a local by the time you leave.

 

The Oldest: Soldier Field

Built in 1924 and beautifully renovated in 2003, Soldier Field in Chicago is easily the oldest NFL venue. Rich with history and situated between the skyscraper-dominated downtown and dark waters of Lake Michigan, the field where the "Monsters of the Midway" once won four titles in 7 years is still one of the most intimidating and hallowed arenas in all of pro football. One visit may turn you into a Bears fan for life.

 

The Most Legendary: Lambeau Field

There is no more-sacred playing field in football than Lambeau -- a.k.a., the "Frozen Tundra" -- where coach Vince Lombardi once stalked the sidelines. Tucked in a quiet neighborhood of tiny Green Bay, the 1950s-era stadium is a throwback to your father and grandfather's NFL. In a league increasingly dominated by highway-wrapped urban domes, it's a wholly unique experience. You may also be surprised that it's one of the largest and loudest. Lambeau should be a bucket-list destination.

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