Updated October 13, 2026, 1:34 p.m. ET
The Atlanta Dream’s home for multiple games during the 2026 WNBA Finals has been finalized.
The organization will play Game 3 against the Golden State Valkyries at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 21, with Game 4 concluding at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 24 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta., announced the WNBA.
The date for Game 3 has been changed from Thursday, October 22 to account for the change in venue, but the time remains the same with tip-off at 8 p.m. ET televised on USA Network. While Game 4 remains on October 24, the tip-off time was moved to 1 p.m. ET from the original 3:30 p.m. to allow for an Atlanta Hawks game at State Farm on the same day. The Hawks game was moved from 8 p.m. ET to 8:30 p.m.
A potential Game 6 (8 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 29) is currently scheduled at the Dream’s home, Gateway Center Arena (3,500 seats). However, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY that additional discussions may take place to evaluate whether that facility will remain the venue of choice for Game 6.
“We are grateful for the efforts of many stakeholders, including the Dream, Valkyries, Hawks, State Farm Arena and NBC Sports and USA Sports,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement.
“The change in venue significantly increases seating capacity and ensures that the Dream will be able to provide an extraordinary atmosphere for the first WNBA Finals game to be played in the Atlanta market since 2013. We are thrilled that thousands of additional fans in the Southeast region will have the opportunity to experience the ultimate WNBA action – the WNBA Finals – in person.”
“This is what the players and fans deserve,” Dream majority owner Larry Gottesdiener said. “We are grateful to all stakeholders who worked together to resolve conflicts and make this happen. »
After reaching the WNBA Finals, the Dream hoped to play at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. This year, the team hosted six regular season games and three playoff games at the venue. Yet early discussions to move the Finals games fell through before Tuesday due to scheduling conflicts with a concert and two Atlanta Hawks games.
The Dream attempted to explore other venue options in the Atlanta area, such as Gas South Arena (up to 13,000 seats) and Georgia Tech’s McCamish Pavilion (8,600 seats). These efforts have hit a roadblock.
On Tuesday, October 6, the Dream announced that they would be moving to State Farm Arena next year. Next season, the WNBA will expand to 50 games and State Farm will host all 25 of the Dream’s home games.
The Golden State Valkyries, who host Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 of the Finals, will play at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Chase Center is the team’s home throughout the WNBA regular season and has hosted several playoff games. Last year, Golden State’s home playoff game was moved from Chase Center due to a scheduling conflict with a tennis tournament. This year, after the Valkyries reached the WNBA Finals, a concert, scheduled for the same day as Game 2 (October 19), was moved.
“We will not play a game outside of Chase Center in the postseason,” Valkyries team president Jess Smith said recently. “Our ownership group (is) committed to this. … We understand prioritization.”
Atlanta advanced to the finals after sweeping the Washington Mystics in the first round and the New York Liberty in the semifinals. The Dream returned to the Finals for the first time since the 2013 season. The franchise is 0-9 all-time in Finals games.
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