The WNBA announced Tuesday that it will move the Atlanta Dream’s two scheduled home games in the Finals to State Farm Arena, replacing the team’s usual venue, Gateway Center Arena.
Game 3 against the Golden State Valkyries is now set for Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 8 p.m. ET, one day earlier than previously scheduled. Game 4 remains on Saturday, Oct. 24, but its start time has changed from 3:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. ET.
State Farm Arena has capacity for roughly 17,000, compared with about 3,500 at Gateway Center Arena. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said the move expands seating and provides more fans in the region an opportunity to attend. Dream majority owner Larry Gottesdiener also welcomed the change.
The venue adjustment follows a schedule conflict: a Sombr concert is booked at State Farm Arena for Oct. 22. The Atlanta Hawks also moved their home opener against the Houston Rockets from 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to accommodate the Dream, according to the supplied report.
The best-of-seven Finals are scheduled to begin Oct. 17 in San Francisco, where Golden State will host the first two games. Game 6, if needed, is scheduled for Oct. 29 in Atlanta; the league’s announcement did not specify a venue for that game.
State Farm Arena hosted six Dream regular-season games this season. The team sold out five, while the Toronto game drew 9,685, according to the report. The article also noted that the Dream initially opened only the lower level for their Oct. 4 semifinal game, then opened part of the upper level after selling about 8,800 lower-bowl seats. General ticket sales for the Finals games are scheduled to begin Oct. 16.
