The WNBA Finals are guaranteed to return to Atlanta for Game 6, but the league still faces a major question: Where will the game be played?
As of Sunday, October 25, Game 6 remains scheduled for Thursday, October 29, at 8 p.m. ET. However, the Atlanta Dream could be forced to host the Golden State Valkyries at Gateway Center Arena, a venue with approximately 3,500 seats, unless the league and other parties reach an agreement to relocate the game.
According to reporting by USA TODAY Sports, published through Yahoo Sports, the league continues to explore alternatives. The situation remains unresolved, with multiple organizations involved in the scheduling discussions.
Why Game 6 Could Be Played at Gateway Center Arena
The problem centers on a scheduling conflict at State Farm Arena, the home of the Atlanta Hawks.
The Dream have played their home playoff games at State Farm Arena this postseason, giving the team access to a much larger crowd. The downtown Atlanta venue can accommodate more than 17,000 fans, compared with approximately 3,500 at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia.
However, the Hawks are scheduled to host the Cleveland Cavaliers at State Farm Arena on Thursday, October 29, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. The WNBA Finals game is currently scheduled to begin an hour later.
That overlap creates a difficult scheduling challenge involving the WNBA, NBA, both teams, arena operations and broadcast partners.
The league previously worked around scheduling conflicts to move Games 3 and 4 of the Finals to State Farm Arena. But finding another solution for Game 6 could prove more complicated.
A WNBA spokesperson told USA TODAY Sports, “We continue to explore all options.”
A Major Difference in Fan Capacity
The difference between the two venues is significant, particularly for a Finals series that has generated strong fan interest in Atlanta.
State Farm Arena (bottom)
| Venue | Approximate basketball capacity |
| Gateway Center Arena | 3,500 |
| State Farm Arena | More than 17,000 |
The Dream sold out Games 3 and 4 at State Farm Arena, demonstrating the demand to watch the franchise compete on the Finals stage.
Playing Game 6 at Gateway Center Arena would substantially limit the number of fans able to attend what could be a championship-clinching contest.
The Dream have also announced plans to make State Farm Arena their home for the 2027 season, making the current venue uncertainty particularly frustrating for a franchise experiencing a breakthrough postseason.
What Are the WNBA’s Options?
Several possibilities remain, although each comes with scheduling complications.
1. Keep Game 6 at Gateway Center Arena. This would avoid changing the existing schedule but would leave the Finals at a venue with significantly less seating capacity.
2. Move the Hawks-Cavaliers game. Shifting the NBA game could potentially open State Farm Arena for the WNBA Finals, but such a change would require coordination among the teams, leagues and broadcast partners.
3. Reschedule Game 6. Moving the Finals game to another date could create an opportunity to use State Farm Arena, but it could also affect the schedule for a potential Game 7 in San Francisco.
4. Explore another Atlanta-area venue. A different arena could offer more seats than Gateway Center, although availability, logistics and broadcast arrangements would have to be addressed.
No final decision had been announced as of Sunday, October 25.
The Finals Are Tied 2-2
The venue uncertainty comes as the Dream and Valkyries battle for the WNBA championship.
Golden State defeated Atlanta 67-62 in Game 4 on Saturday, October 24, evening the best-of-seven series at two wins apiece.
Game 5 is scheduled for Monday, October 26, at Chase Center in San Francisco. The series will return to Atlanta for Game 6, with the location still subject to change. If necessary, Game 7 is currently scheduled for Saturday, October 31, in San Francisco.
The outcome of Game 5 could add even more urgency to the venue discussions. A Golden State victory would put the Valkyries one win away from the championship, while an Atlanta win would give the Dream an opportunity to claim the title on their home court in Game 6.
For now, fans are waiting to learn whether the WNBA can secure a larger venue or whether the Finals will proceed at Gateway Center Arena.
One thing is clear: With a championship on the line, the location of Game 6 matters almost as much as the matchup itself.
Source: USA TODAY Sports reporting published by Yahoo Sports, October 25, 2026; additional reporting from Front Office Sports and Reuters.
