WNBA Finals in major schedule change to allow Angel Reese and Atlanta Dream to avoid playing at tiny 3,500-seater arena
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
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.
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.
More to follow.
