The Atlanta Dream is relocating its upcoming WNBA Finals home games to State Farm Arena to accommodate a significantly larger crowd. This move shifts the matchups agianst the Golden State Valkyries from the small Gateway Center Arena to a major metropolitan venue.
A massive jump from 3,500 to 17,000 seats at State Farm Arena
The Atlanta Dream will host Games 3 and 4 of the WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena, a move that dramatically increases the available seating for fans. According to the team's announcement on Tuesday, the capacity will jump from approximately 3,500 at the Gateway Center Arena to roughly 17,000 at the new venue.
Dream majority owner Larry Gottesdiener stated that the relocation is a move to provide what the players and fans deserve. wNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert also noted that the change ensures an extraordinary atmosphere for the first Finals games played in the Atlanta market since 2013.. The team had previously explored other options, such as the 13,000-seat Gas South Arena or Georgia Tech's 8,600-capacity McCamish Pavilion, but those arrangements did not materialize.
The Sombr concert and the Atlanta Hawks' schedule shuffle
Scheduling conflicts necessitated several timing adjustments for the upcoming Finals series. As the report indicates,Game 3, originally slated for October 22, has been moved to October 21 at 5 p.m. PDT to avoid a conflict with a concert by the artist Sombr at State Farm Arena.
The Atlanta Hawks have also adjusted their schedule to help facilitate the Dream's presence in the arena. The Hawks agreed to push their home opener against the Houston Rockets back by 30 minutes,moving the tipoff from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. PDT to accommodate the WNBA schedule.
Navigating attendance after the October 4 "curtain" controversy
The Dream's move to a larger venue comes as the team manages recent scrutiny regarding arena attendance and seaitng. during a semifinal game against the New York Liberty on October 4, the team reported 9,745 fans, even though the arena typically holds 17,000; reports noted that curtains were used to cover the upper-level seating during that matchup.
Atlanta's recent regular-season attendance has been bolstered by high-profile matchups, including games featuring Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever and a Barbie-themed event. While the team previously opted to limit seating to the lower bowl to concentrate ticket sales, the move to State Farm Arena for the Finals promises thousands of additional fans the opportunity to attend the series against the Golden State Valkyries.
The unresolved venue for the potential October 29 Game 6
A significant question remains regarding the location of a potential Game 6 on October 29. While the Dream are currently scheduled to host that game, the team has not yet confirmed a venue due to a scheduling conflict with another Atlanta Hawks home game.
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