The vibes are high for the Atlanta Dream. After sweeping the New York Liberty, the team is headed to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013, and they’re bringing the energy to a massive stage. The Dream and the Atlanta Hawks confirmed that Games 3 and 4 of the Finals against the Golden State Valkyries will be held at the 18,000-seat State Farm Arena instead of the team's usual 3,500-seat home, Gateway Center Arena.
The logistical hustle
It wasn't easy. The transition was a massive puzzle because the Hawks and the Dream are under different ownership groups, and the arena schedule was packed. To make it happen, Game 3 was bumped to Oct. 21 to avoid a concert conflict. For Game 4, the teams pulled off a double-header on Oct. 24: the WNBA Finals will tip off at 1 p.m. ET, clearing the floor in time for the Hawks' home opener that night at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Why it matters
This is a major W for women’s sports. The smaller capacity at their regular home wouldn't have cut it for the Finals, and this move ensures thousands more fans can actually get in on the action. It's giving main character energy for the city of Atlanta, proving that the demand for the WNBA is absolutely skyrocketing.
