A Title Game Moves to a Bigger Stage
Game 6 of the WNBA Finals will tip off at 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday at State Farm Arena, the league announced Monday. The matchup pits the Atlanta Dream against the Golden State Valkyries, with a championship at stake. The contest had originally been listed for an 8 p.m. start. USA Network will carry the broadcast, and Peacock will provide streaming, according to the league.[S2][S3]
State Farm Arena, which seats more than 17,000, is the home of the Atlanta Hawks and hosted Games 3 and 4 of the series. The Dream normally play at Gateway Center Arena, a building with a capacity of roughly 3,500. Relocating the game gives the franchise a far larger crowd for what could be the deciding contest of the Finals.[S2][S3]
Hawks Adjust Their Own Schedule
Because the Hawks already had a home date with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night, the two leagues worked together to fit both events into the building. The Hawks-Cavaliers game was pushed back an hour to 8 p.m., and the WNBA game was placed in the early afternoon slot. According to the reporting, the Hawks' game could not be shifted to a different date or venue.[S2][S3]
The WNBA, NBA, USA Network, NBC and Peacock are planning joint promotional efforts across broadcast, digital and social channels to support the revised schedule. Tickets for Game 6 were set to go on sale to the general public at 4 p.m. Monday through the Dream's website.[S3]
League Praises the Collaboration
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert credited the sellout crowds and atmosphere at State Farm Arena during Games 3 and 4, and said the league wanted to give thousands more fans a chance to see a championship decided. She thanked the NBA, the Dream, the Valkyries, the Hawks, the arena and USA Network for their flexibility in arranging the change.[S2][S3]
