SAN FRANCISCO — In the middle of an early timeout break during the Valkyries’ win Monday over the Atlanta Dream, the video board at Chase Center panned to a fan-made sign that evoked no shortage of cheers.
Move the Hawks game. Women = Prime Time.
The sign alluded to the WNBA moving Game 6 of the Finals between the Valkyries and Atlanta Dream to 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time on Thursday because of a timing conflict with the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks at the 17,000-seat State Farm Arena.
The earlier start time allows the Valkyries and Dream to play in front of a larger crowd than the 3,500-seat Gateway Center Arena, the Dream’s regular-season home but it also creates a new problem. For many in the Bay Area, the Valkyries’ bid at their first-ever championship will unfold in the middle of a workday, and fans in Atlanta may have to call out sick to attend the game in person.
“That’s what happens when you’re a woman,” said Catherine from Palo Alto, who referred to herself as ‘The Glitter Fairy’. “This is basically the story of women trying to make it in the world. It’s not about how badass we are. It’s trying to make it in man’s world. And you know what? It should be a goddamn women’s world, because we are the superior species.”
This marks the latest scheduling change of these Finals. The WNBA moved Games 3 and 4 from Gateway Center Arena to State Farm Arena, but the league had to jump through several hoops for those changes. Game 3 was moved from Oct. 22 to Oct. 21, while Game 4 on Oct. 24 was pushed up from 3:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.
The Valkyries also had potential conflict at Chase Center because a Doja Cat concert was scheduled for Game 2 on Oct. 19, but the show was moved to Oct. 25.
Of all the changes, moving Game 6’s tipoff time to 9:30 a.m. has drawn the most criticism. Instead of a primetime slot, the Valkyries’ bid for their first championship in franchise history will unfold at the start of a workday, denying many an opportunity to watch what could be a clincher.
The Golden State Valkyries celebrate their 64-55 WNBA win over the Atlanta Dream at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, October 26, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
“I hope everybody gets to see it somehow,” said Dream head coach Karl Smesko. “I know that for some people, it’s not realistic. They have jobs and won’t be able to make it, so I’m disappointed for that. But I’m really hopeful that as many people can see the game as possible.”
Despite the suboptimal game time, head coach Natalie Nakase is confident that Valkyries fans will find a way to tune in.
“The beauty of Ballhalla is they’ll sacrifice,” said Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase. “They’re going to sacrifice. They’re going to open that app. They’re going to open their phone. They’re going to watch. I have no doubt that everyone who has been supporting us this whole way — maybe we picked up fans on the way within the Finals.”
Among those planning on watching Game 6 is Wendy Dalberti, a season-ticket holder from Martinez who has attended all three Finals games at Chase Center.
“I know a 9:30 game is going to be rough,” Dalberti said. “You want to be able to support your team and be here for the whole thing and celebrate at the end when we win. There’s nothing like little streamers coming down and everybody being able to give each other a hug and pat on the back. It’s a totally different atmosphere.”
Some fans, such as Axelle Minzolini, won’t be able to watch due to their work schedules.
“It’s been great to see how far the WNBA has come, and there’s still a bit more work to do,” Minzolini said. “It’s already great that Atlanta’s games weren’t played in their (regular-season) arena and in the bigger one. … Kind of like an it is what it is kind of deal.”
Golden State Valkyries’ Veronica Burton #22 battles for a loose ball with Atlanta Dream’s Angel Reese #5 in the third quarter of their WNBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, October 26, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Along with the morning tipoff, there’s another potential issue: If the Valkyries win Game 6, they might not have the opportunity to celebrate properly. Since the Hawks are using State Farm Arena after Game 6 to host the Cavaliers, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne speculated that the championship celebration may not even happen on the court.
For the WNBA, this decision marks the latest instance in which the national discourse hasn’t revolved around the basketball itself, but off-court drama. This past summer, the league has found itself at the center of debates surrounding race dynamics and transgender participation in sports.
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will step down this offseason, leaving all these growing pains to a new leader as the league sets new WNBA Finals viewership records.
“Hopefully, it’s a lesson learned for the next year, and (the WNBA) keeps growing, getting bigger and getting more traction so next year, it doesn’t happen in the same way,” Minzolini said.
Golden State Valkyries fans cheer before their WNBA game against the Atlanta Dream at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, October 26, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)