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The WNBA announced that Games 3 and 4 of the 2026 Finals will be played at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, moving from the smaller Gateway Center Arena to accommodate larger crowds.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
The WNBA has finalized the venue for Games 3 and 4 of the 2026 Finals, moving the Atlanta Dream’s home games from the 3,500-seat Gateway Center Arena to State Farm Arena. The decision resolves scheduling conflicts that initially threatened to keep the championship series in a facility significantly smaller than the Golden State Valkyries’ home venue, Chase Center.
According to the WNBA, Game 3 will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 8 p.m. ET, a day earlier than originally scheduled. Game 4 remains on Saturday, Oct. 24, but the tipoff time has shifted to 1 p.m. ET from 3:30 p.m. ET. This adjustment allows the Atlanta Hawks, who also play at State Farm Arena, to host their home opener against the Houston Rockets later that evening at 8:30 p.m. ET.
The move to State Farm Arena dramatically increases the potential attendance for the first WNBA Finals games in Atlanta since 2013. The Dream had previously explored alternative venues, including Gas South Arena (13,000 seats) and Georgia Tech’s McCamish Pavilion (8,600 seats), but those options faced obstacles. State Farm Arena, owned by the city and operated by the Hawks, had been booked for a concert on the original Game 3 date and a Hawks game on the original Game 4 date.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert acknowledged the coordination required to secure the larger venue.
"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," Engelbert said in a release. "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."
Dream majority owner Larry Gottesdiener also commented on the resolution.
"This is what the players and the fans deserve," Gottesdiener said. "We are grateful to all of the stakeholders who worked together to resolve the conflicts and make this happen."
The Golden State Valkyries will host Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 at Chase Center, an 18,000-seat arena that has been filled to capacity for every home game since the team’s inception. Valkyries team president Jess Smith emphasized the team’s commitment to playing at their home venue.
"We will not play a game outside of Chase Center this postseason," Smith said. "Our ownership group (has) been committed to that. ... We understand the prioritization."
While Games 3 and 4 have been moved, a potential Game 6 is currently scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 29, at Gateway Center Arena. However, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY that additional discussions could occur to determine if that game will also move to a larger venue.
The venue shift addresses a significant disparity in the 2026 Finals, where the Golden State Valkyries play in a major NBA arena while the Atlanta Dream initially faced the prospect of hosting championship games in a facility smaller than many high school gyms. The move to State Farm Arena aligns the Atlanta experience more closely with the league’s growing popularity and revenue potential, ensuring that more fans can attend the series. It also highlights the logistical challenges WNBA teams face when sharing venues with NBA franchises, a dynamic that requires careful coordination between league officials, team owners, and arena operators.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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