Atlanta Dream Moves WNBA Finals Games to State Farm Arena

The Atlanta Dream will host Games 3 and 4 of the 2026 WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, giving more fans an opportunity to attend the championship series. The franchise announced the venue decision Tuesday, October 13, with Game 3 moved to October 21 and Game 4 remaining scheduled for October 24.

The best-of-seven series between the Dream and the Golden State Valkyries begins Saturday, with Golden State hosting the opening two games. The venue for Atlanta's home games had remained uncertain as the Dream sought a larger facility than Gateway Center Arena at College Park, its home since 2021.

Gateway Center Arena holds approximately 3,500 spectators, while State Farm Arena accommodates more than 17,000. According to the franchise's announcement, the Dream played six regular-season games and all three playoff games at State Farm Arena this season.

The venue change required adjustments to accommodate existing events at the Atlanta facility. A Sombr concert had been scheduled for October 22, while the Atlanta Hawks had regular-season games on October 24 and October 29. The Game 3 date was moved forward by one day to resolve the scheduling conflict.

The WNBA said the larger venue would significantly increase access to the Finals for fans in Atlanta and the surrounding region. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert highlighted the opportunity to bring the championship series to a larger audience.

"The change of venue 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. We are pleased that thousands more fans across the Southeast region will have the opportunity to experience the ultimate WNBA action -- the WNBA Finals -- in person." WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement.

The Dream's majority owner, Larry Gottesdiener, also welcomed the agreement that made the venue change possible. He credited the parties involved with resolving the scheduling issues.

"This is what the players and the fans deserve. We are grateful to all of the stakeholders who worked together to resolve the conflicts and make this happen." Atlanta Dream majority owner Larry Gottesdiener said.

The schedule adjustment also affects the Atlanta Hawks' October 24 game against the Houston Rockets. The Hawks moved their scheduled tipoff from 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., allowing the Dream and Valkyries to play Game 4 at 1 p.m. rather than the originally planned 3:30 p.m.

Golden State will host Games 1 and 2 and will also host Games 5 and 7 if those games are necessary. The Valkyries faced a separate venue conflict for Game 2 on October 19, when a Doja Cat concert had been scheduled at San Francisco's Chase Center, which has a capacity of 18,064. The concert was moved to October 25.