The Atlanta Dream announced that a scheduling conflict at State Farm Arena will prevent the team from playing its home games in the WNBA Finals at the venue. The arena, which also hosts the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, is booked for a concert on Oct. 22 and Hawks regular‑season games on Oct. 24 and Oct. 29.
Current venue situation
During the regular season the Dream split its home schedule between State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta and the smaller Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia. Six of the 22 regular‑season games were held at State Farm, which seats roughly 19,000 fans, while the remaining 16 games were played at Gateway Center, which holds about 3,500 for basketball.
In the playoffs the Dream successfully hosted three games at State Farm Arena, drawing an average of 9,695 fans per contest. However, the arena’s calendar is now full for the dates the Dream needs for the Finals.
Impact on the Finals schedule
The Dream is slated to host Games 3, 4 and possibly Game 6 of the series on Oct. 22, Oct. 24 and Oct. 29. With State Farm unavailable, the team is actively exploring larger venues throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area that can accommodate the expected crowds and meet broadcast requirements.
The Golden State Valkyries, the Dream’s opponents, will host Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 at Chase Center in San Francisco, a venue that seats 18,064 for basketball and has sold out every home game this season.
Team’s future plans
Earlier this year the Dream announced that all of its 2027 home games will be played at State Farm Arena, signaling a long‑term partnership with the Hawks’ home court. The current conflict underscores the challenges of sharing a major arena with multiple professional sports teams and a busy entertainment schedule.
As of Sunday night, the WNBA has not yet confirmed an alternative location for the Dream’s home Finals games. The league’s officials are working with the team and local venue operators to identify a suitable site that can host the high‑profile matchups and provide fans with a safe, enjoyable experience.
What fans can expect
Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to the Dream’s official channels and the WNBA’s website for updates on the final venue decision. Ticket holders for the originally scheduled games will be notified of any changes, and the league has pledged to honor existing tickets wherever possible.
Atlanta’s sports community remains supportive of the Dream’s pursuit of a larger stage for the championship series, recognizing the importance of showcasing women’s professional basketball in a venue that reflects the team’s growing fan base.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
