The Atlanta Dream will play their home games in the 2026 WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena after the league resolved a scheduling problem just days before the title series begins. The decision means the team will have a much bigger venue for Games 3 and 4 against the Golden State Valkyries, who are set to host the first two games at San Francisco’s Chase Center. The move also brings a change to the schedule, with Game 3 now set for October 21 and Game 4 staying on October 24. The Dream’s usual home, Gateway Center Arena, has room for only 3,500 spectators, making the larger venue a major change for the Finals.

State Farm Arena gives Atlanta Dream more room for WNBA Finals fans

State Farm Arena can accommodate more than 17,000 fans, compared with the 3,500-seat Gateway Center Arena. The larger venue is expected to give more supporters across the Southeast a chance to watch the championship series in person.

According to the WNBA’s October 13 announcement, Game 3 will start at 8 p.m. ET on October 21, a day earlier than originally planned. Game 4 will take place at 1 p.m. ET on October 24, instead of 3:30 p.m.

The league had to work around two existing bookings at State Farm Arena: a Sombr concert on October 22 and an Atlanta Hawks game on October 24. The Hawks agreed to move their home game against the Houston Rockets from 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., allowing both basketball games to take place on the same day.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert welcomed the agreement, saying, “The change of venue dramatically expands the seating capacity,” Engelbert said in a statement.

“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.”

Larry Gottesdiener backs move as Atlanta Dream prepare for Finals

Dream majority owner Larry Gottesdiener also welcomed the decision, thanking the groups involved in finding a solution before the series begins.

“This is what the players and the fans deserve,” added Dream majority owner Larry Gottesdiener.

“We are grateful to all of the stakeholders who worked together to resolve the conflicts and make this happen.”

The venue change also comes ahead of a bigger shift for the Atlanta Dream. State Farm Arena, which is home to the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, is set to become the Dream’s permanent home from the 2027 season.

For now, the team will turn its attention to the Golden State Valkyries. The best-of-seven WNBA Finals begin on October 17, with the Valkyries hosting the first two games at Chase Center in San Francisco. Atlanta will then get its chance to play in front of a larger home crowd when the series moves to Georgia.

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