The Atlanta Dream reached the WNBA Finals, but securing a bigger stage for their home games proved more complicated. With State Farm Arena already booked and their usual home limited to 3,500 seats, the team faced a venue dilemma just days before the series. Now, a scheduling breakthrough has changed the picture.
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As per the latest update from the WNBA, the Dream will host the Golden State Valkyries for the first two home games of the 2026 Finals. The Dream will host the Valkyries at State Farm Arena for Games 3 and 4 on October 21 and 24, respectively.
Although Game 3 moved up a day, its tipoff remains at 8 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the October 21 matchup on USA Network and CNBC or stream it on Peacock.
The WNBA changed its previous schedule to give the Dream a more suitable arena. Earlier, both games were scheduled for October 22 and 24, but the arena was booked for Sombr’s event and the Atlanta Hawks game on the respective dates.
This isn’t the first time an arena booking has complicated the Dream’s Finals plans. In 2013, a Disney on Ice event at Philips Arena forced Atlanta to host Game 3 against the Minnesota Lynx at the Arena at Gwinnett Center, now known as Gas South Arena.
Under the revised schedule, Game 4 on October 24 will start at 1 p.m. ET instead of 3:30 p.m. The Hawks also moved their tipoff back by half an hour, from 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Unlike Game 3, neither Game 4 nor the Hawks’ home opener could move to another date, according to CBS Sports. With October 24 falling on a Saturday, the teams instead adjusted their start times so State Farm Arena could host both games that day.
Shortly after the Dream reached the WNBA Finals by sweeping the New York Liberty, attention turned to where Atlanta would host its home games. The venues for Games 3, 4 and a potential Game 6 were still unresolved.
Before the scheduling breakthrough, Dream president and chief operating officer Morgan Shaw Parker said the team was “finalizing details on their home venue and where we will be playing.” ESPN reported that neither the Dream nor the WNBA provided further details when contacted on Sunday, October 11.
Gateway Center Arena, which seats approximately 3,500 fans, has served as the Dream’s primary home. They have sold out every game there over the past three seasons. Now, with Atlanta returning to the WNBA Finals for the first time in 13 years, several factors could drive attendance higher.
The Dream have already used State Farm Arena extensively this season, playing six regular-season home games and all three of their home playoff games there before reaching the Finals. The new arrangement keeps Atlanta in a venue that has already hosted much of its postseason run.
The Finals games also offer a preview of Atlanta’s permanent move. On October 6, the Dream announced that State Farm Arena would become their full-time home starting in 2027. The move brings the franchise back to the building, formerly known as Philips Arena, where it played from 2008 through 2016.
That demand already extends beyond Gateway Center. Since 2024, the Dream have also sold out State Farm Arena eight times. According to StubHub, demand for Dream tickets has risen by 91% compared with last season. Whether Angel Reese or growing fan engagement is driving that increase, the Dream face greater expectations as they prepare to host the Finals.
Atlanta expects a larger crowd for the Finals, and Valkyries fans could help boost attendance at State Farm Arena. The Valkyries led the league in attendance this season, and their fans have continued to show their loyalty by traveling to road games throughout the playoffs. Players acknowledged that support after their Game 3 semifinal win in Las Vegas. Now, those traveling fans could add to the Finals crowd in Atlanta.
So far, no announcement has been made about Game 6, which is also scheduled in Atlanta on October 29, if it is required. The best-of-seven-game series will kick off at the Valkyries’ Chase Center on October 17.