The WNBA will host Game 6 of the 2026 Finals between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries at State Farm Arena, although well outside of a prime-time viewing window.
Game 6 kicks off Thursday at 12:30 p.m. ET.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported that the parties involved reached a solution after “a weekend of non-stop, frantic discussions and negotiations.”
The Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers, meanwhile, are moving the start of their game forward one hour, to 8 p.m. ET.
This is all a consequence of the fact that the Dream’s usual stadium, the Gateway Center Arena, can only accommodate 3,500 spectators. The Dream and the WNBA would be leaving a lot of money on the table by holding playoff games there instead of a much larger State Farm Arena.
However, the start of the NBA season has collided with the WNBA playoffs, presenting logistical hurdles to using the Hawks’ usual arena. Game 4 of the Finals concluded just hours before the Hawks’ home opener, which was pushed back 30 minutes from its original start time.
A previously scheduled Sombr concert also necessitated moving Game 3 forward one night.
The Dreams are moving full-time to State Farm Arena starting with the 2027 WNBA season, so that should stop being an issue next season.
In the meantime, the WNBA is potentially looking at a championship-clinching game that would end on a Thursday afternoon. This is not ideal for players, fans or media partners.
It’s almost reminiscent of a time when the NBA broadcast its Finals games on tape delay.
The WNBA Finals are tied 2-2 after the Valkyries earned a 67-62 victory in Game 4. If the series goes the distance, Game 7 is scheduled for Saturday at Chase Center in San Francisco.
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