The WNBA has made drastic changes to ensure that the Atlanta Dream will have a fitting stage worthy of the Finals.
Angel Reese and Co. will take on the Golden State Valkyries with the 2026 WNBA title on the line with Game 1 tipping off on Saturday.
There had been fears that the Dream would have to play their home games at a 3,500-seater Gateway Center Arena as they look to clinch their first-ever title.
However, the WNBA has overhauled the Finals schedule to ensure that Atlanta will be able to play in front of a packed crowd.
The Dream will now host their home games for the Finals at State Farm Arena – the 17,000-seater home of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks.
The WNBA and the Dream coordinated with the Hawks to ensure that State Farm Arena could serve as the venue.
The Atlanta Dream’s WNBA Finals home games will now be played at State Farm Arena
Games 3 and 4 of the Finals have been rescheduled so they can be played at the arena
The organization will now play Game 3 against the Golden State Valkyries at 8pm ET on Wednesday, October 21, moving from the originally scheduled date of October 22., which clashed with a Sombr concert at State Farm Arena.
Meanwhile, Game 4 will be played on Saturday, October 24, at 1pm, serving as the first part of a basketball doubleheader.
The Hawks have agreed to move the start time of their regular-season home opener that evening in order to accomodate the Dream’s Game 4.
The NBA team was initially scheduled to tip off against the Houston Rockets at 8pm but the start time has now been pushed back half an hour while the Dream’s game has been moved up from 3:30pm to 1pm.
‘Relocating Games 3 and 4 of the WNBA Finals from Gateway Center Arena to State Farm Arena was a complex undertaking that required extraordinary collaboration to navigate numerous challenges in a short time period,’ The Dream said in a statement.
‘The Dream is grateful to the Golden State Valkyries, the Hawks, the NBA, the WNBA, and both league’s broadcast partners. Without their focus and flexibility, this would not have happened.
‘Ensuring that Games 3 and 4 of the Finals will be played at State Farm Arena is an important moment for the Dream’s players, fans, the organization and the city of Atlanta and is a testament to the extraordinary momentum of the team, women’s basketball and the growing impact of women’s sports.’
However, a potential Game 6, currently slated for 8pm ET on October, 29, is still scheduled to be at the Dream’s home venue, Gateway Center Arena.
The Dream were facing the prospect of playing their home games at a 3,500-seat arena
Reese and her teammates have played six regular season games and three playoff contests at State Farm Arena this season and announced recently that it will be their permanent home venue next season.
‘This is an exciting next chapter for the Atlanta Dream, and a direct reflection of the exciting style of play that is Dream basketball, the passion of our fans and the incredible growth of this franchise,’ Morgan Shaw Parker, president and COO of the Dream, said when the announcement was made last week.
‘Our players and our fans have transformed Gateway Center Arena into the most exciting experience in the WNBA. State Farm Arena gives us the opportunity to welcome thousands of additional fans while creating an even bigger stage for women’s basketball in Atlanta. We look forward to bringing the energy, traditions and spirit of Gateway with us to the heart of our city.’
The Dream reached the Finals for the first time since 2013 after taking out the New York Liberty in three games.
Atlanta reached the WNBA Finals in 2010, 2011 and 2013, but got swept each time. This is a different Atlanta roster with a bunch of stars including Reese, Jordin Canada, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray.
Gray, the Dream’s leading scorer, injured her left hand in the semifinals opener and missed the next two games. Having the time off before the Finals begin will be big for her.
The Dream also added veteran DeWanna Bonner late in the season, which has proven to be a huge addition with her playoff experience.
Offense may be hard to come by for both teams as they are two of the best defensive squads in the league. Golden State won all three of the regular-season meetings with the last coming on July 4.
