ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 24: Rhyne Howard #10 of the Atlanta Dream shoots the ball against Kiah Stokes #41 of the Golden State Valkyries during the fourth quarter in game four of the 2026 WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena on October 24, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images) Chris Cwik Contributing writer Sun, October 25, 2026 at 6:38 PM UTC · 2 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The WNBA Finals are guaranteed to go to a Game 6, but that development comes with a significant problem: As of Sunday afternoon, no one knows where or when that game will be played.
The WNBA, NBA, Golden State Valkyries, Atlanta Dream and Atlanta Hawks are all trying to figure out the best solution to that problem, with a WNBA spokesperson telling ESPN, "We will continue to explore all options."
The main issue revolves around the Dream's usual home arena, Gateway Center Arena. That stadium holds just 3,500 people, the smallest stadium capacity in the league.
With interest in the Dream high during the team's playoff run, the team has played every single home playoff game at State Farm Arena to meet fan demand. State Farm Arena — where the Hawks play their home games — holds 17,000 fans. The Dream sold out that arena for both Game 3 and Game 4.
That arrangement, however, has already been tested this postseason. With the NBA regular season in full swing, Game 3 and Game 4 of the WNBA Finals had to be altered so the Dream could play both games at State Farm Arena. The WNBA moved up Game 3 by one day to ensure the Dream could play at State Farm Arena. Game 4 was moved to much earlier in the day so that both the Dream and Hawks could play at the stadium on the same day.
While the WNBA could try similar strategies for Game 6, nothing has been decided yet. As of Sunday afternoon, Game 6 is supposed to be played Thursday, Oct. 29 at 8:00 p.m. ET. That same day, the Hawks are scheduled to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers at State Farm Arena at 7:00 p.m. ET.
To try and get around that, the WNBA has offered to shift both Game 6 and a possible Game 7 to different dates to ensure Game 6 could be held at State Farm Arena and that both teams would have adequate time to rest ahead of a possible Game 7, per ESPN. If the series goes to a Game 7, it would be held at the Chase Center in San Francisco.
That proposal would involve Game 6 being held Friday, Oct. 30. If a Game 7 was needed, it would be moved from Saturday, Oct. 31 to Tuesday, Nov. 3, per ESPN.
In order for that proposal to go into effect, both the Dream and Valkyries would have to approve those changes.
Source: Sports
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