The Atlanta Dream will face a crucial Game 6 in the WNBA Finals on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at State Farm Arena, as they try to extend their championship hopes against the Golden State Valkyries. The Dream are currently trailing the best-of-seven series 3-2 and must win to force a decisive Game 7 this Saturday in California.
Despite the midday start time, the game is sold out, with more than 10,000 tickets sold within the first 90 minutes of availability on Monday, according to team officials. The scheduling, however, has sparked controversy due to a conflict with the Atlanta Hawks, who are set to host the Cleveland Cavaliers at 8 p.m. on the same day at the same arena.
Originally, Game 6 was scheduled for 8 p.m. at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, which accommodates around 3,500 fans. Moving the game to State Farm Arena increases capacity but presents challenges for fans who may have work or school commitments during the day.
In a public letter, Dream ownership expressed their concerns about potential scheduling conflicts to the WNBA two months ago when the postseason schedule was finalized. They indicated that their concerns were not adequately addressed but acknowledged the cooperation from the Hawks and arena officials for making arrangements to accommodate the Dream’s title run.
Dr. Mary McDonald, a Georgia Tech sports expert, commented on the situation, pointing out that it highlights broader issues regarding the treatment of women’s professional sports. “We still see this legacy of prioritizing men and men’s interests,” McDonald said, emphasizing the need for equitable considerations in future arena agreements.
Conversely, Dr. Mike Lewis, a sports business professor at Emory University, sees the scheduling issue as indicative of the rapid growth in popularity of women’s basketball. “Organizations are really struggling to keep up,” he stated, suggesting that adapting operations for this increased demand will be essential.
For Thursday’s game, fans are encouraged to wear blue, and the Dream will distribute blue T-shirts and rally towels to the first 10,000 attendees. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., and spectators are advised to have mobile tickets ready and to familiarize themselves with parking and bag policies.
For those unable to attend, the game will be broadcast nationally on USA Network and available for streaming on Peacock. A win will propel the Dream to a decisive Game 7, while a loss will conclude their season just shy of the championship game.
