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WNBA Finals set to be held in tiny gym because Atlanta Dream’s preferred arena is already booked

The Atlanta Dream’s return to the WNBA Finals after a 13-year absence is set to face an unexpected logistical hurdle: a lack of available venues. The team, which clinched its first playoff series wins since 2010 by defeating the Washington Mystics and New York Liberty, will host Games 3, 4, and 6 (if necessary) in the Gateway Center Arena in College Park, a facility with a seating capacity of just 3,500.

This marks a stark contrast to the Dream’s usual home arena, State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta, which holds 17,044 fans and was the obvious choice for the championship clash. However, the arena is booked for October 22–29, with concerts and NBA games blocking the schedule.

The Dream’s president and COO, Morgan Shaw Parker, has acknowledged the challenge but has not yet confirmed an alternative venue, leaving less than a week to resolve the issue. The Valkyries, meanwhile, will host Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 (if needed) at Chase Center in San Francisco, which seats 18,064.

The Dream’s star forward, Angel Reese, could find herself playing in a venue with a fraction of the usual capacity, a situation that recalls the 2019 WNBA Finals, when the Mystics hosted games at D.C.’s CareFirst Arena, which holds 4,200 spectators.

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