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Atlanta Dream Bring WNBA Finals to State Farm Arena October 21 and 24
By Remix Sports Media
Championship basketball is coming to a bigger stage in Atlanta.
The WNBA announced that Games 3 and 4 of the 2026 WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries will be played at State Farm Arena, giving thousands more fans the opportunity to experience the series in person.
The move includes schedule changes for both Finals games and the Atlanta Hawks’ home opener, setting up a full day of WNBA and NBA basketball at the arena on Saturday, October 24.
Game 3 Moves to Wednesday, October 21
Fans making plans for Game 3 should note the new date.
Originally scheduled for Thursday, October 22, the game will now take place on Wednesday, October 21, at 8 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena.
Viewers can watch on USA Network and CNBC, with streaming available on Peacock.
The game will mark the first WNBA Finals contest played in the Atlanta market since 2013, according to the league’s announcement. Moving to State Farm Arena expands the available seating for a milestone moment in the Dream’s postseason run.
Game 4 Tips Off Earlier on October 24
Game 4 remains scheduled for Saturday, October 24, but tip-off has moved from 3:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. ET.
The game will air on NBC and stream on Peacock.
The earlier start creates room for two major basketball events at State Farm Arena that day: the Dream’s afternoon Finals matchup and the Hawks’ regular-season home opener that evening.
Hawks Move Home Opener to Accommodate the Dream
To help make the arrangement possible, the Hawks agreed to adjust their opening-night schedule.
Atlanta will now host the Houston Rockets at 8:30 p.m. ET on October 24, moving back 30 minutes from the previously announced 8 p.m. start.
For Atlanta basketball fans, the schedule puts a championship series and the start of a new NBA home campaign in the same building on the same day. Fans planning to attend either event should check their respective ticket and entry information.
Andrew Saltzman, President of Business Enterprise and Chief Commercial Officer of the Hawks and State Farm Arena, said the organizations wanted the Dream to feel the city’s support as they compete for a championship.
A Bigger Stage for Atlanta’s Championship Run
The venue change followed coordination among the Dream, Valkyries, Hawks, State Farm Arena, NBC Sports and USA Sports.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert credited those organizations with making the move possible, emphasizing that the expanded capacity would allow thousands more fans across the Southeast to attend the Finals.
For the Dream, the opportunity means bringing their biggest games of the season to a larger Atlanta audience.
“This is what the players and the fans deserve,” Dream majority owner Larry Gottesdiener said in the announcement.
The move also gives the city another opportunity to show its support for women’s basketball, with a championship atmosphere taking center stage at one of Atlanta’s premier sports venues.
Dream and Valkyries Meet in Best-of-Seven Finals
The No. 4-seed Dream and No. 2-seed Valkyries are competing in a best-of-seven series using a 2-2-1-1-1 format.
The opening two games were scheduled for Chase Center in San Francisco on October 17 and October 19, before the series shifts to Atlanta for Games 3 and 4.
The updated Atlanta schedule is:
Game | Date | Tip-Off | Venue | Watch |
WNBA Finals Game 3 | Wednesday, October 21 | 8 p.m. ET | State Farm Arena | USA Network, CNBC and Peacock |
WNBA Finals Game 4 | Saturday, October 24 | 1 p.m. ET | State Farm Arena | NBC and Peacock |
Hawks vs. Rockets home opener | Saturday, October 24 | 8:30 p.m. ET | State Farm Arena | Check local listings |
Where to Find WNBA Finals Tickets
The announcement set the public ticket on-sale date for October 16. Fans can visit the Atlanta Dream’s official website for ticket information and current availability for Games 3 and 4.
With the Finals moving to State Farm Arena, more supporters have an opportunity to be part of Atlanta’s championship push. Whether watching from the stands or following the national broadcasts, fans should take note of the updated dates and start times.
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Source: WNBA announcement dated October 13, 2026.
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