Atlanta Falcons Logo History: From the Falcon Crest to the Winged ATL
Posted by JerseyZenith on Oct 26th 2026
- The first Falcons helmet in 1966 was red with a black falcon crest.
- The falcon was redesigned on March 19, 2003.
- The team enlarged the logo in 2020.
- The winged ATL secondary mark arrived on April 2, 2026.
This guide covers the Atlanta Falcons logo history as text: the main marks by year and why they changed. Photos show uniforms and equipment; standalone logo artwork is not reproduced.
Atlanta Falcons logo timeline
| Year | Change | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 29, 1965 | Nickname chosen | The Falcons name is announced |
| 1966 | Falcon crest | Black crest on a red helmet |
| 1978 | Crest back on sleeves | It had been replaced by stripes |
| Mar 19, 2003 | Redesigned falcon | Red and silver accents; resembles a capital F |
| 2020 | Enlarged falcon | Matte helmets with the larger logo |
| 2026 | Winged ATL | Secondary mark on the helmet bumper |
The falcon crest, 1966 to 2002
The Atlanta team received its nickname on August 29, 1965. When it began play in 1966 the Falcons wore red helmets with a black falcon crest. At first the crest was also put on the jersey sleeves, but a red and white stripe pattern replaced it four years later, and the crest returned to the sleeves in 1978. The original logo decal reappeared on black helmets for the throwback look from 2016 to 2021.
The 2003 F and the 2020 redesign
On March 19, 2003 the Falcons presented a new logo. The falcon was redesigned with red and silver accents to look more powerful and aggressive, and it now more closely resembles a capital letter F. In 2020 the team changed uniforms and moved to matte helmets with an enlarged falcon logo and gray facemasks.
The 2026 helmet and the winged ATL
On April 2, 2026 the Falcons unveiled new primary uniforms. The black low-gloss helmet shell keeps the falcon but now has a silver facemask and an updated front bumper with the "winged ATL" mark, which the team calls its official secondary mark. The sleeves carry the Falcons logo, and the phrase "Dirty Birds" appears inside the back collar. The 1966-inspired throwback, with a red helmet and black jersey, is unchanged.
Helmets, facemasks and the throwback
The helmet carries the logo, so its color matters. The Falcons’ facemask was gray at first, turned white in 1978, black in 1984 and stayed black until the 2020 redesign. A prototype white helmet was developed before the 1974 season but never worn. The red helmet came back in 2022 for the throwback uniform, and the team has a 1966-inspired set with the original crest. The 1966 helmet also had a center black stripe flanked by gold and white stripes, which Wikipedia says stood for Georgia’s red and black and Georgia Tech’s white and gold.
Logos and your jersey
A jersey carries the marks that were current for its style. A throwback listing shows older marks, and a current home or away listing shows the current ones, so check the style name and the product photo before you order. The Nike Game vs Limited vs Elite guide explains how the tiers differ, and the NFL jersey size chart helps you choose a size. Photos show uniforms and equipment; standalone logo artwork is not reproduced.
Wear the Falcons logo
The logo story is only half of the picture. Shop the Falcons throwback jerseys for retro marks, the Atlanta Falcons jerseys for the current set and the legends jerseys for past stars. For the uniforms around each logo, read the Falcons uniform history. Searches for "falcons new logo" and "old falcons logo" lead to the 2003 redesign and the 1966 crest on the throwback jersey. Fans also search for “falcons logo”, “falcons football logo”, “atlanta falcons football logo”, “atlanta falcons new logo”, “atlanta falcons old logo”, “new falcons logo”, “old falcons logo”, “logo falcons”, “atl falcons logo” and “falcons new logo”. All of them point to the logo history above.
Falcons logo FAQ
What is the Atlanta Falcons logo?
A falcon, redesigned in 2003 to resemble a capital F.
When did the Falcons change their logo?
The big redesign was on March 19, 2003. The team enlarged it in 2020 and added a winged ATL secondary mark in 2026.
What was the first Falcons logo?
A black falcon crest on a red helmet in 1966.
What is the winged ATL?
The team’s official secondary mark, on the front bumper of the 2026 helmet.