The Atlanta Dream ownership group protested the scheduling of Game 6 of the 2026 WNBA Finals at 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, calling it a must-win played at an unsuitable time. The Dream raised concerns two months ago about conflicts between the Finals schedule and NBA games at State Farm Arena, their required home venue, but said those concerns were ignored.
Gateway Center Arena, the Dream's primary home, seats only 3,500. State Farm Arena, where the Hawks play, holds 17,000 and is necessary for a Finals game. But the Hawks scheduled home games on both Wednesday and Thursday, forcing the league to move Game 6 to midday to secure the larger building.
The ownership letter acknowledged the inconvenience to fans and thanked the community for flexibility. "Playing a midday game on a Thursday is not what we would have chosen and not what we fought for," they wrote. The letter stated the Dream "earned the right to be taken seriously" after reaching the Finals.
Games 3 and 4 were already rescheduled due to a Sombr concert and Hawks games. Game 3 moved from Oct. 22 to Oct. 21. Game 4 was moved to 1 p.m. ET to fit a doubleheader with the Hawks-Rockets game, which was pushed back to 8 p.m.
If the Valkyries win Game 6, their championship celebration may not happen on court as tradition dictates, but instead move to a practice gym, according to ESPN, because State Farm Arena will need to clear quickly for the Hawks' 8 p.m. game against the Cavaliers.