Despite the Angel Reese-led Atlanta Dream and the Gabby Williams-led Golden State Valkyries putting on some must-watch performances in the 2026 WNBA Finals, another headline of the championship match-up has been the schedule and location.
As is widely known, the Atlanta Dream unfortunately have the smallest home venue in the entire WNBA. The Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia, only seats about 3,500 people, and before the Finals started, there were questions about the suitability of the arena for Dream home games, given the moment and fan anticipation. Thankfully, the State Farm Arena, home to the Atlanta Hawks, came through to host the Dream and Valkyries. Even though the original day and times of Game 3 and Game 4 had to be modified.
Fast forward to Game 6, and a venue location again presented a problem for the Dream. The original game was scheduled for October 29 at 8 pm ET, and using the State Farm Arena at the time was an issue because the Hawks were scheduled to play a home game at 7 pm ET. So what’s the solution for Game 6?
The Atlanta Dream will now host the Golden State Valkyries at the State Farm Arena on Thursday, October 29, at 12:30 pm ET. That’s right, Game 6 of the WNBA Finals, in what could actually be the final game of this series, is being played in the middle of an afternoon on Thursday, with the Hawks game being postponed until 8 pm ET.
Fans Sound Off on Mid-day Game 6 of WNBA Finals
Understandalbly, WNBA fans aren’t that pleased by the rescheduled Game 6. After all, it’s a “lunchtime” game during the middle of a workday. Judging by X (formerly Twitter), there are a decent number of people who are upset and/or embarrassed that things have gotten to this point for the Georgia team. Take a look at just some of the posts floating around social media.
You know what makes total absolute sense? Playing a potentially championship deciding Game 6 at 12:30 p.m. on a Thursday.
I didn’t think playing collegiate championship games on a Monday night could be topped in the bad ideas department, but boy, was I wrong. https://t.co/o46R3KItPG— Jon Gargis (@JonGargis) October 26, 2026
I’m so annoyed ima be in class during Game 6 😔
— Kee (@lifewithkeerose) October 26, 2026
The WNBA/Atlanta Dream were so unprepared for The Finals they are playing a potential clinching Game 6 on a Thursday afternoon (Thursday morning for Valkyries fans)…
Imagine asking the sports world to take you seriously as a league & you crown a champion on a Thursday afternoon https://t.co/8dvWF3quBK— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) October 26, 2026
12:30pm on a Thursday is insane for a game 6 what…. https://t.co/bOhRxSN06b
— f (@faavouurrr) October 26, 2026
I still can’t understand why they didn’t begin working on solutions after the issues with Game 3. Agree that this would be completely embarrassing if a league championship is decided during the middle of the afternoon. https://t.co/QYzVUKprmf
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 26, 2026
All that being said, let’s just hope Atlanta shows up for their hometown squad, as the Dream have a chance to bring the city a WNBA championship this year. Something that has never been done.
