WNBA reschedules finals so Atlanta Dream can host at State Farm Arena
The WNBA has moved Game 3 of the finals up by one day to allow the Atlanta Dream to host the Golden State Valkyries at State Farm Arena, with Game 3 now set for Wednesday 21 October and Game 4's tipoff moved to 1pm ET on Saturday 24 October.
The Dream had sought to hold home finals games at State Farm Arena — the Atlanta Hawks’ venue that seats more than 17,000 — instead of their regular Gateway Center Arena, which holds 3,500. The best-of-seven series begins on Saturday in California.
“We are grateful for the efforts made by numerous stakeholders, including the Dream, the Valkyries, the Hawks, State Farm Arena, and NBC Sports and USA Sports,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. “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.”
Andrew Saltzman, president of business enterprise and chief commercial officer of the Hawks and State Farm Arena, welcomed the accommodation and said: “We are thrilled that we will be able to accommodate the Dream as they host Games 3 and 4 of the WNBA finals at State Farm Arena.” “Playing for a championship is special, and we want the Dream to feel the full support of the city during this amazing run.”
The Dream played most regular-season games at Gateway Center Arena but moved six regular-season games and their three previous home playoff games to State Farm Arena; they will play all their home games there next season after signing a multiyear deal earlier this month. Atlanta’s roster is led by Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray and Jordin Canada, and the team is appearing in the finals for the first time in 13 years after sweeping the Mystics in the first round and defeating the 2024 champion New York Liberty in the semi-finals.
Best-of-seven series. All times Eastern. Sat 17 Oct Game 1: Atlanta at Golden State, 3.30pm (NBC). Mon 19 Oct Game 2: Atlanta at Golden State, 8pm (USA/CNBC). Wed 21 Oct Game 3: Golden State at Atlanta, 8pm (USA/CNBC). Sat 24 Oct Game 4: Golden State at Atlanta, 1pm (NBC). Mon 26 Oct Game 5: Atlanta at Golden State, 8pm* (USA/CNBC). Thu 29 Oct Game 6: Golden State at Atlanta, 8pm* (USA/CNBC). Sat 31 Oct Game 7: Atlanta at Golden State, 8pm* (USA/CNBC).
In the United States the series will air on NBC, USA Network and CNBC, with all games streaming on Peacock; in the UK it will be carried by Sky Sports; and in Australia fans can watch through WNBA League Pass, with selected coverage also available through ESPN. There had been scheduling conflicts at State Farm Arena for both games — a concert by singer Sombr on 22 October and the Hawks hosting their home opener on the night of 24 October — and the Valkyries faced a conflict for Game 2 when a Doja Cat concert at Chase Center was moved to 25 October.
It remains unclear where Game 6 would be held if the series goes that far, with the Hawks scheduled to play another home game at State Farm Arena on 29 October.