Dream, Hawks Detail 'Complex Undertaking' Behind WNBA Finals Move to State Farm Arena

The Atlanta Dream and Atlanta Hawks announced in a joint statement Tuesday that Games 3 and 4 of the WNBA Finals against the Golden State Valkyries will be played at State Farm Arena, four days before the series opens in San Francisco.

Until then, both games had been set for Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Ga., where the Dream have played since 2021. It seats 3,500, the smallest home arena in the league.

Game 3 moved from Thursday, Oct. 22, to Wednesday, Oct. 21, around a Sombr concert at State Farm Arena. Game 4 stays on Saturday, Oct. 24, but tips at 1 p.m. ET instead of 3:30 p.m. The Hawks' home opener against the Houston Rockets was pushed to 8:30 p.m. ET that night.

The Dream and Hawks said the move required coordination across both leagues, the teams, the arena and broadcast partners.

"Relocating Games 3 and 4 of the WNBA Finals from Gateway Center Arena to State Farm Arena was a complex undertaking that required extraordinary collaboration to navigate numerous challenges in a short time period," the Dream and Hawks said in the statement. "The Dream is grateful to the Golden State Valkyries, the Hawks, the NBA, the WNBA, and both leagues' broadcast partners. Without their focus and flexibility, this would not have happened."

"Ensuring that Games 3 and 4 of the Finals will be played at State Farm Arena is an important moment for the Dream's players, fans, the organization and the city of Atlanta," the statement continued, "and is a testament to the extraordinary momentum of the team, women's basketball and the growing impact of women's sports."

Hawks CEO Steve Koonin told ESPN that Hawks owner Tony Ressler wanted the organization to do everything in its power to get it done.

Chase Center had a Doja Cat concert booked for Monday, Oct. 19, the date of Game 2. The concert was moved to Oct. 25.

Chase Center seats 18,064 for basketball. The Valkyries host Games 1 and 2 there, along with Games 5 and 7 if necessary.

The Dream played their home games at State Farm Arena, then Philips Arena, from 2008 to 2016.

In their last Finals trip, in 2013, a Disney on Ice booking pushed Game 3 against the Minnesota Lynx to the Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth, now Gas South Arena, CBS Sports reported.

This season, Atlanta moved six regular-season games downtown. Its three home playoff games at State Farm Arena drew an average of 9,745 fans, according to NBC News.

Beginning in 2027, the Dream will play every home game at State Farm Arena under a multiyear agreement the franchise announced Oct. 6.

Atlanta finished 30-14 and has not lost in the postseason. It is 5-0, with sweeps of the Washington Mystics in the first round and the New York Liberty in the semifinals.

The Dream have never won a Finals game. They were swept in 2010, 2011, and 2013.

Golden State went 32-12 in the regular season and swept the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals to reach the Finals in its second season.

Tickets for Games 3 and 4 go on sale to the general public Friday at 10 a.m. ET at atlantadream.com. Fans who join the team's Priority List or sign up for the presale get access before then.

Game 6, if necessary, is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 29, at 8 p.m. ET. The Cleveland Cavaliers visit State Farm Arena to play the Hawks at 7 p.m. ET that night, and the statement did not mention Game 6.

Game 1 tips off Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET at Chase Center on NBC and Peacock.