The Atlanta Dream announced that Games 3 and 4 of the WNBA Finals will be played at State Farm Arena, the home of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks. The move shifts the championship games from the Dream’s usual Gateway Center Arena, which seats about 3,500, to a venue that can accommodate more than 17,000 fans.
Schedule changes and venue details
Game 3 is now set for Wednesday, Oct. 21, while Game 4 will tip off at 1 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, Oct. 24—2½ hours earlier than originally planned. The league adjusted the dates and start times to avoid conflicts with a concert by singer Sombr on Oct. 22 and the Hawks’ home opener on Oct. 24.
Why the shift matters
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert praised the cooperation among the Dream, the Golden State Valkyries, the Hawks organization, State Farm Arena, and the broadcast partners NBC Sports and USA Network. Engelbert said the larger arena “dramatically expands the 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.”
Andrew Saltzman, president of business enterprise and chief commercial officer for the Hawks and State Farm Arena, added that the venue change allows the Dream to “feel the full support of the city during this amazing run.”
Player reactions
Dream forward Angel Reese expressed excitement about the larger crowd. “It’s really exciting,” Reese said. “I love Gateway, but the growth of women’s basketball and the support here are phenomenal. I’m grateful for everyone who made this happen and look forward to all the fans coming out.”
Golden State Valkyries owner Joe Lacob, also a co‑owner of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, noted the importance of consistent venues for the championship series. “It’s not just about us; it’s about the league,” Lacob said in a phone interview with the Associated Press. “Having both games in the same type of arena with a big crowd is important for the league’s image.”
Future plans for the Dream
The Dream has already moved several regular‑season games and three prior home playoff games to State Farm Arena. Earlier this month the team signed a multiyear agreement to make State Farm its permanent home arena beginning with the 2027 season.
It remains uncertain where a potential Game 6 would be played if the series extends, as the Hawks have another home game scheduled for Oct. 29.
Injury update
Dream coach Karl Smesko reported that guard Allisha Gray is progressing after missing Game 3 of the semifinals with a left‑hand injury. While Gray participated in limited practice, Smesko said the team does not yet know if she will be available for Saturday’s game, but noted that “it’s trending in the right direction.”
The shift to State Farm Arena underscores the growing popularity of women’s basketball in the Southeast and offers thousands more fans the chance to witness a historic championship series in person.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
