Angel Reese's Dream Facing Venue Uncertainty for WNBA Finals Home Games
Scheduling conflicts may force the Atlanta Dream to play WNBA Finals matchups in a smaller venue.
The Atlanta Dream, led by rookie sensation Angel Reese, are facing potential venue challenges for their upcoming WNBA Finals home games. Multiple scheduling conflicts at the larger State Farm Arena in Atlanta may necessitate a move to the Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia, a venue with a capacity of approximately 3,500 seats.
The Dream are set to face the Golden State Valkyries in a best-of-seven series, which begins Saturday in California. However, Atlanta's home games are tentatively scheduled for October 22 and 24, dates that conflict with previously booked events at State Farm Arena. The arena's schedule indicates that the musical artist SOMBR is slated to perform on Oct. 22, and the Atlanta Hawks are scheduled to host the Houston Rockets on Oct. 24.
Atlanta Dream president and chief operating officer Morgan Shaw Parker stated last week that the franchise was in the process of finalizing details regarding their home venue. Reports indicate that efforts to secure other larger venues, such as Gas South Arena, have encountered obstacles.
While the Gateway Center Arena is the current provisional location, the possibility of relocating to a larger facility remains open. The McCamish Pavilion, home to Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets basketball, which holds 8,600 spectators, has been identified as a potential alternative, having been used by the Dream during renovations to State Farm Arena in past years.
The Dream have had a successful playoff run, sweeping both the Washington Mystics in the first round and the New York Liberty in the semifinals to reach the WNBA Finals. The team finished the regular season with a 30-14 record.