ATLANTA — The WNBA has reached a resolution on the venue and start time for Game 6 of the 2026 WNBA Finals, keeping the Atlanta Dream at State Farm Arena for Thursday’s potential championship-clinching game against the Golden State Valkyries.
Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday, October 29, at 12:30 p.m. ET at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, which seats approximately 17,000 fans. The game was originally scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, but the WNBA announced Monday that the start time would be moved up to accommodate the arena’s schedule.
The decision follows a weekend of negotiations involving the WNBA, NBA, Atlanta Dream, Golden State Valkyries, Atlanta Hawks, State Farm Arena and broadcast partners.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, the revised schedule allows the Dream to host the game in the larger venue rather than potentially playing a championship-clinching contest at Gateway Center Arena, their regular home, which seats approximately 3,500 spectators.
Hawks-Cavaliers Game Also Rescheduled
The scheduling adjustment also affects the NBA.
The Atlanta Hawks’ regular-season matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, originally scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, will now tip off at 8 p.m. ET Thursday at State Farm Arena.
The arrangement allows the arena to host both the WNBA Finals game and the NBA contest on the same day.
The WNBA confirmed that Game 6 will remain available on USA Network and Peacock.
Why the Venue Matters
The Dream have already played their recent home Finals games at State Farm Arena, where Games 3 and 4 attracted sellout crowds.
Moving Game 6 to the larger venue gives thousands more fans an opportunity to watch the Finals in person, with a championship potentially on the line.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert praised the collaboration among the leagues, teams, arena and broadcast partners, noting the strong attendance and atmosphere during the previous games in Atlanta.
The alternative would have meant moving the game to Gateway Center Arena, a venue with a fraction of State Farm Arena’s capacity.
What’s Next?
The Finals matchup between Atlanta and Golden State continues Monday with Game 5 in San Francisco. Game 6 will return to Atlanta on Thursday, with a potential Game 7 scheduled for Saturday, October 31, at Chase Center in San Francisco.
The revised schedule preserves the possibility of a winner-take-all Game 7 while allowing the Dream to remain at State Farm Arena for Game 6.
Game 6 details
- Matchup: Golden State Valkyries vs. Atlanta Dream
- Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026
- Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
- Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta
- TV: USA Network
- Streaming: Peacock
Source: WNBA announcement; ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
