ATLANTA — The Atlanta Dream will return to State Farm Arena for a potential championship-clinching game Thursday, but fans will need to adjust their schedules after the WNBA announced a significant change to Game 6 of the Finals.
The league announced Monday, Oct. 26, that Game 6 between the Dream and the Golden State Valkyries will tip off at 12:30 p.m. ET Thursday, Oct. 29, at State Farm Arena. The game was originally scheduled for 8 p.m.
The move allows Atlanta to host another Finals game in the larger downtown arena while accommodating the Atlanta Hawks’ previously scheduled NBA matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers later Thursday evening. The Hawks’ game has been moved to an 8 p.m. tipoff.
The WNBA Finals game will air on USA Network and stream on Peacock.
The decision to move Game 6 to State Farm Arena provides the Dream with a significantly larger venue for one of the most important games in franchise history.
The team’s regular-season home, Gateway Center Arena, seats approximately 3,500 fans, while State Farm Arena can accommodate more than 17,000. The Dream previously hosted Games 3 and 4 of the Finals at State Farm Arena, with both contests drawing sellout crowds.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert pointed to the atmosphere at those games as a major reason to bring the series back to the building.
“The sellout crowds and extraordinary atmosphere at State Farm Arena for Games 3 and 4 were a tremendous success, and we’re excited to give thousands more fans the opportunity to experience Game 6 with a championship on the line,” Engelbert said in a statement.
She also thanked the NBA, the Dream, the Valkyries, the Hawks, State Farm Arena and USA Network for working together to make the schedule adjustment possible.
The move gives more Atlanta-area fans an opportunity to witness a potential championship moment in person, although the early afternoon start could create challenges for those balancing work and school schedules.
Image Courtesy: Hyosub Shin/AJC
