The Golden Spike Tradition -

Click below to find out who hit The Golden Spike in 2024.

Click below to find out who else has hit The Golden Spike in previous years!

The Golden Spike Tradition - Arthur Blank

On Matchday, an Atlanta tradition is born.

90 minutes before Atlanta United take the field, the players arrive at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to sign the Golden Spike, followed by the club's faithful supporters (everyone is invited to sign it). Then, just minutes before the players walk out for kickoff, a select number of Atlanta United supporters march and carry the Golden Spike through the supporters section and to the platform fronting it. Join the supporters, join the movement, this is a relic signed by all, as a symbol of unity and strength.

The Golden Spike is then hammered into the railroad platform by a chosen ATLien with the stadium chanting…. A-T-L with every strike, a sound ringing true to our hearts.

After the final whistle, a smaller Golden Spike is awarded to a player, an honor voted on by the fans (via our app). In addition, he is also given one to keep as reminder of his performance, and the experience with the fans that he can cherish forever.

Be early, stay late, and be part of a culture driven by tradition and rooted in the ATL. Find out who's had the honor of hitting the Spike in each of our home matches below!

Spike Hitter: Atlanta United Unified Team

August 6, 2025 vs Atlas (Leagues Cup)

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Led by their top scorer Xavier Hairston, Atlanta United Unified Team who had just come back from winning their first international titlle at the Genuine World Cup in Houston, Texas, hit the Golden Spike ahead of our match vs Atlas in our last match of the 2025 Leagues Cup.

Spike Hitter: Humberto Bermúdez

July 30, 2025 vs Necaxa (Leagues Cup)

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Humberto Bermúdez, owner of Brewhouse Café, named by Men in Blazers as the Best Soccer Bar in America, hit the Golden Spike ahead of our match vs Necaxa in our 2025 Leagues Cup debut.

Spike Hitter: Barzi Rangel Rascon

July 26, 2025 vs Seattle Sounders

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Cancer survivor and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta patient Barzilai “Barzi” Rangel Rascon hit the Golden Spike ahead of our match vs Seattle Sounders. Read his story on Behind the Stripes.

Spike Hitter: Andy McGuire

July 16, 2025 vs Chicago Fire

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Atlanta United's longest tenured Founding and Season Ticket Member Andy McGuire hit the Golden Spike ahead of our match vs Chicago Fire, during member appreciation night.

Spike Hitter: Lil Baby

July 19, 2025 vs Charlotte FC

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Atlanta rapper and Grammy Award winner Lil Baby hit the Golden Spike ahead of our rivalry match vs Charlotte FC.

Spike Hitter: Andy McGuire

July 16, 2025 vs Chicago Fire

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Atlanta United's longest tenured Founding and Season Ticket Member Andy McGuire hit the Golden Spike ahead of our match vs Chicago Fire, during member appreciation night.

Spike Hitter: JID

May 28, 2025 vs Orlando City

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Atlanta-born rapper JID hit the Golden Spike ahead of our match vs Orlando City.

Spike Hitter: Big Tigger

May 25, 2025 vs FC Cincinnati

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DJ and TV persinality Big Tigger, known for hosting BET's Rap City and 106 & Park hit the Golden Spike ahead of our match vs FC Cincinnati.

Spike Hitter: Bert Weiss

May 17, 2025 vs Philadelphia Union

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Local Atlanta radio personality Bert Weiss, from The Bert Show, hit the Golden Spike ahead of our match vs Philadelphia Union.

Spike Hitter: Marty Jelleme

May 3, 2025 vs Nashville SC

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Marty Jelleme, head coach of the Atlanta United Unified Team, hit the Golden Spike ahead of our match vs Nashville SC where the Unified Team

Spike Hitter: Mauricio Pochettino

April 12, 2025 vs New England Revolution

Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the U.S. Men's National Team, hit the Golden Spike ahead of our match vs New England Revolution on April 12.

Spike Hitter: Trinidad James

April 4, 2025 vs FC Dallas

Trinidadian-American rapper, songwriter and music video director, Trinidad James, hit the Golden Spike ahead of our match vs FC Dallas.

Spike Hitters: Zaytoven

March 25, 2025 vs New York City FC

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Rapper Zaytoven hit the Golden Spike ahead of our match vs New York City FC.

Spike Hitter: Linda Cardellini

March 16, 2025 vs Inter Miami CF

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Better known in recent years for her roles in Dead to Me, Scooby Doo, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, actress Linda Cardellini hit the Golden Spike ahead of our match vs Inter Miami.

Spike Hitters: Khori Louis, Mia Tuaniga and Merritt Beason from the Atlanta Vibe

March 8, 2025 vs New York Red Bulls

Khori Louis, Mia Tuaniga and Merritt Beason, players from the professional volleyball team the Atlanta Vibe hit the Golden Spike during the celebration of International Women's Day, and Women's and Girls in Sports, prior to the match vs New York Red Bulls.

Spike Hitter: David Harbour

February 22, 2025 vs CF Montréal

Better known in recent years for his role as Hopper on the Netflix hit series 'Stranger Things' and the upcoming Marvel movie Thunderbolts*, actor David Harbour hit the Golden Spike prior to our 2025 Home Opener.