WNBA Fixes Finals Venue Crisis for Dream
The Atlanta Dream will host WNBA Finals Games 3 and 4 at State Farm Arena after a last-minute scheduling swap.
The Atlanta Dream are finally getting their moment in the spotlight — and it’s happening at a much bigger stage than expected. Game 3 and Game 4 of the WNBA Finals will now be played at State Farm Arena, the league announced Tuesday, after a last-minute scheduling overhaul [1]. The move comes after the team’s original home venue, the 3,500-seat Gateway Center Arena in College Park, proved too small for a Finals series [2].
The arena was already booked for a Sombr concert on October 22 and two Atlanta Hawks NBA games — including a clash with the Cavaliers on October 29, which would have conflicted with a potential Game 6 [1]. To make room, the WNBA shifted Game 3 from October 22 to October 21, and Game 4 from 3:30 p.m. ET to 1 p.m. ET [3]. The Hawks agreed to push their game against the Rockets back by half an hour to accommodate the change.
The decision ensures the first WNBA Finals game in Atlanta since 2013 will be played in front of a full house. State Farm Arena, with a capacity of 17,004, offers a massive upgrade from the Dream’s usual home [3]. The team had already played six regular-season games and all three playoff games there this season.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert praised the collaboration between teams, venues, and broadcasters, calling the change "dramatic" and essential for fans [1]. Dream owner Larry Gottesdiener echoed the sentiment, saying, "This is what the players and the fans deserve" [2].
The series kicks off Saturday, October 17, at Chase Center in San Francisco, where the Golden State Valkyries will host Games 1 and 2 [3]. If the series goes to seven games, Game 7 would be in San Francisco, but Game 6 remains a challenge due to the Hawks’ scheduled game on October 29 [1].
The move comes amid record viewership for the WNBA, fueled in part by rising star Angel Reese [2]. Fans across the Southeast now have a real chance to witness the Finals live, not just on TV. The story was first reported by New York Post and TMZ.
The Dream’s plans to play all home games at State Farm Arena in 2027 were announced in [1], but this has not been confirmed independently.
Sources
This article is based on reporting by the outlets below.
- New York Post: WNBA finds drastic solution to Dream’s 3,500-seat arena finals debacle
- TMZ: Atlanta Dream Move WNBA Finals Game To State Farm Arena After Scheduling Conflict
- ESPN: WNBA moves Finals games 3, 4 to State Farm Arena to accommodate more fans
- NBC News: Atlanta Dream to host WNBA Finals home games at larger arena after scheduling swap
