The Atlanta Dream are making a huge move for their WNBA Finals home games, shifting Games 3 and 4 from the cozy Gateway Center Arena to the massive State Farm Arena. This change means thousands more fans will get to see the Dream play on the sport’s biggest stage, and guess what? Angel Reese has some real feelings about it.
Angel Reese’s Take: More Fans vs. That Home Vibe
Angel Reese summed up the whole venue change as “bittersweet.” She’s totally upfront about loving Gateway Center Arena. That place offers an intimacy that’s hard to beat, and she said she would have been grateful to play the Finals there. You can feel that connection the players have built with their home court and its fans. But don’t get it twisted, she is also hyped to see the stands packed at State Farm. Reese put it simply, saying, “It’s a bittersweet moment because I do love Gateway so much….but I am looking forward to everyone showing up and supporting us at State Farm.” That’s the real talk right there, acknowledging both sides of the coin.
This move is a game changer for the fans, too. Gateway Center Arena holds about 3,500 people. State Farm Arena? Try roughly 17,000! That’s a massive difference, meaning way more supporters can actually get a seat for the Dream’s first two home games of the series. This is the franchise’s first championship series appearance since 2013, so getting that many more people in the building could create an absolutely insane atmosphere as they chase their first title. You just know the energy is gonna be off the charts.
Scheduling Shake-Ups for a Bigger Stage
Making this switch happen wasn’t without its kinks, but the WNBA made it work. Game 3, which was originally set for Thursday, October 22, got moved up a day to Wednesday, October 21. Why? To avoid a scheduling conflict at State Farm Arena, simple as that. Game 4 is still on Saturday, October 24, but its tipoff got bumped to 1 p.m. ET. Even the Atlanta Hawks had to adjust the start time of their home opener that evening just to make room for the Dream. Talk about dedication to getting these games played in the biggest possible venue for the biggest moments!
The series kicks off at Chase Center, with the Golden State Valkyries hosting Games 1 and 2. But then, the Dream get to come home, bringing all that incredible home-court support to State Farm. The team’s hoping this much larger venue can spark a truly memorable atmosphere, pushing them toward that championship. Angel Reese’s comments prove Gateway Center will always have a special place, but this is a chance to connect with even more fans across the region as the Dream chase history. It’s gonna be wild!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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