The Atlanta Dream are fighting for a WNBA championship against the Golden State Valkyries, but it looks like their biggest battle off the court right now is just finding a place to play. Seriously, the Dream have struck out trying to move their home games for the WNBA Finals from the Gateway Center Arena. We’re talking about a venue with a paltry 3,500-seat capacity for the *Finals*, folks.
No Room at the Inn for the Championship?
This isn’t just some regular season game, it’s the WNBA Finals! The Dream are set to host Game 3 on October 22, Game 4 on October 24, and potentially Game 6 on October 29. You’d think a team featuring a star like Angel Reese, playing for a title, could command a bigger stage. The team was reportedly gunning for Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, which clocks in at a massive 17,000 capacity. They’ve played six regular season games and three playoff games there already, so it’s not like it’s unfamiliar territory. But get this: State Farm Arena is already locked down with a concert and two Atlanta Hawks games on those exact dates. Talk about bad timing.
Every Door Slammed Shut
And it’s not like the Dream only had one shot. Reports confirm they tried other options too. They looked at the Gas South Arena, which holds 13,000 fans, and Georgia Tech’s McCamish Pavilion, with an 8,600-seat capacity. But according to Meghan L. Hall of USA Today, those talks also “hit a roadblock.” Every avenue they explored has seemingly led to a dead end. It just feels wild that a team in the WNBA Finals, with all the hype around Angel Reese, can’t get a larger venue.
So, what’s the deal now? It seems like Angel Reese and her squad are stuck. For now, it’s back to planning for the Gateway Center Arena. Imagine playing for a championship, with all that passion and energy, in front of a crowd that’s just a fraction of what it could be. This is the WNBA Finals, it deserves a packed house. Let’s see how the Dream handles this curveball as they chase that championship.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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