Pro football observers who closely follow the Atlanta Falcons are keenly aware of the fact that Falcons fans are among the most passionate and knowledgeable of any fan base in the 32-team National Football League.

Falcons' fans recently validated those claims by setting franchise records for season ticket sales.

More Falcons fans purchased season tickets in 2013 than ever before in the 47-year history of the franchise.

More than 90 percent of existing season ticket holders demonstrated their excitement for the upcoming 2013 season by renewing their season tickets. In addition to having an impressive renewal rate, the Falcons are on pace to head into the 2013 season opener with more new season ticket holders than any team in the NFL.

"Our fans have spoken," said Jim Smith, the club's Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "The fan base is obviously excited because general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith have turned our team into a perennial playoff contender."

The Falcons have less than 900 general season tickets seats remaining and less than 200 Verizon Wireless Level Club Seats remaining for sale for the 2013 season. The Falcons expect both sets of tickets to be sold out by July 4.

For fans interested in purchasing season tickets, remaining packages start at $400 and are available to customers on a two-month payment plan; three-month payment plans are available for fans purchasing Suites or Verizon Wireless Club Seats. Remaining ticket package availability can be viewed online at www.atlantafalcons.com/tickets, or call 404-223-8000.

A limited number of single-game tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. July 24. Fans interested in purchasing single-game tickets can go to www.atlantafalcons.com/tickets or call 404-223-8000.