The Atlanta Dream are officially returning to State Farm Arena for Game 6 of the WNBA Finals!
But there’s a major change.
The WNBA announced Monday that Game 6 against the Golden State Valkyries will tip off Thursday, October 29, at 12:30 PM ET instead of the originally scheduled 8 PM start.
And honestly, I believe this is a massive win for the Dream organization, even if the new start time isn’t ideal.
Because for several days, there was a legitimate possibility that Atlanta would have to host one of the biggest games in franchise history inside the much smaller Gateway Center Arena.
Thankfully, that won’t be happening.
The Atlanta Hawks Help Make It Happen
Here’s how everything came together.
The Atlanta Hawks were originally scheduled to face the Cleveland Cavaliers at State Farm Arena on Thursday evening.
That created a major scheduling conflict with Game 6 of the WNBA Finals.
But after discussions involving the WNBA, NBA, both franchises, and arena officials, a solution was reached.
The Dream will play at 12:30 PM, while the Hawks and Cavaliers will tip off at 8 PM ET.
That means Atlanta will host another WNBA-NBA doubleheader at State Farm Arena.
And I think the Hawks deserve some credit for helping make this happen.
This is the second time during the Finals that the organizations have worked together to accommodate championship basketball in Atlanta.
Playing at State Farm Arena Is a HUGE Deal
Let’s put this into perspective.
Gateway Center Arena, the Dream’s regular-season home, seats approximately 3,500 fans.
State Farm Arena can accommodate more than 17,000.
That’s an enormous difference.
And we’ve already seen what happens when the Dream play in front of that kind of crowd.
Atlanta sold out State Farm Arena for both Games 3 and 4 of the WNBA Finals.
The atmosphere was incredible, and the support demonstrated just how much this franchise has grown.
Now imagine the possibility of Atlanta winning its first WNBA championship in front of thousands of fans downtown.
That’s the kind of moment this city deserves.
And it’s another reminder of why the Dream’s upcoming full-time move to State Farm Arena in 2027 is so important.
But Is 12:30 PM Really the Best Time?
Now, here’s my biggest concern.
Thursday at 12:30 PM is a difficult time for a championship game.
People are working.
Kids are in school.
And fans who would normally attend an evening matchup might have trouble making it downtown.
That could affect attendance and television viewership.
And I believe the WNBA needs to do a better job planning these situations in advance.
A championship series shouldn’t require last-minute scheduling decisions.
Especially when we’re talking about a league experiencing significant growth.
However, if the choice is between playing at 12:30 PM in front of a potentially massive crowd or playing at 8 PM in a 3,500-seat arena, I’m choosing State Farm Arena every time.
Atlanta Has an Opportunity to Make History
Here’s my biggest takeaway.
The Atlanta Dream are getting another opportunity to play championship basketball in front of their home fans.
And that matters.
With the Finals tied 2–2 entering Monday night’s Game 5, Thursday’s matchup could potentially become a championship-clinching game.
Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, and the rest of this roster have an opportunity to accomplish something no Dream team has ever done.
Bring a WNBA championship to Atlanta.
And if that happens, I want as many Atlanta fans as possible to witness it.
The start time might not be perfect.
But the venue absolutely is.
The Atlanta Dream belong on the biggest stage, and State Farm Arena is exactly where Game 6 should be played.
