Your Guide to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium During ICDC

Apr 13, 2026

The Mercedes-Benz Stadium is home to this year's International Career Development Conference general sessions. Here's the key information you need to know to enter the stadium and have an enjoyable experience.

General Sessions 🔷

The following sessions will be held at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Grand Opening Session 🎉

Saturday, April 25 | 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Doors open at 6:00 PM
Seating is assigned for all attendees. The seating chart will be available in the mobile app.

Achievement Awards Session 🥇

Tuesday, April 28 | 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Doors open at 7:00 AM
There is no assigned seating - please sit as close to the stage as possible.
All blue-ribbon medallion finalists should immediately report to Section 135 outside the Gallagher Club at Molly B's on the concourse level to verify their finals competition time.
As final competition times will start immediately, competitors in prepared events can bring laptops and presentation boards into the stadium. Please allow extra time for screening.

Grand Awards Session 🏆

Tuesday, April 28 | 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Doors open at 6:30 PM

Entrance & Security 🚨

All attendees are required to go through security screening to enter the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, so we encourage you to arrive early for the sessions!

Here are some helpful tips and guidelines to help ensure a smooth process:

Attendees will enter the stadium through Gates 1, 2 or 3. Here's a link to a map of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
All attendees must show their DECA ICDC conference name badge and will be subject to security screening prior to entry inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, along with inspection of all approved clear bags and carry-in items.

Stadium Bag Policy 🏟️

For the quickest entry into the stadium, we recommend that you do not bring a bag to the Grand Opening Session or the Grand Awards Session. If a bag is required, it must meet the Stadium Bag Policy.
- For the Achievement Awards Session, competitors in prepared events can bring laptops and presentation boards into the stadium. Please allow extra time for screening.
- Exceptions to the bag policy will only be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection by security personnel. Members will need to ask for assistance at the gate.

Prohibited Items ❌

Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be screening for prohibited items. The prohibited items and behaviors include, but are not limited to, what is mentioned in this list. Please follow these guidelines to ensure attendance at the general sessions.

Food Options 🍽️

Mercedes-Benz Stadium accepts card and mobile payment ONLY. All mobile vendors, concession stands, bars and retail locations require the use of a card or mobile payment. The stadium is equipped with cash-to-card kiosks, found outside Sections 101 & 122, to convert cash to a prepaid debit card that can be used anywhere VISA is accepted (inside or outside the stadium).

Food will be available for purchase on the following days: