The 2026 WNBA Finals are officially set between the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries, and one of these franchises is about to hoist their first-ever championship trophy. But before Game 1 even tips off, the schedule has already been tweaked, with Game 3 moved up a day to October 21st so the Dream can host at the larger State Farm Arena. This isn’t just about finding a bigger venue, this is about putting everything on the line in a historic series.
Two Franchises Hungry For Their First Ring Are On A Collision Course
Get ready for some serious basketball because this is a Finals matchup for the ages, with both the Dream and the Valkyries chasing their first WNBA championship. The Dream’s last Finals appearance was all the way back in 2013, so you know they are absolutely starving for this. They tore through the playoffs, going a perfect 5-0 so far after knocking out the Washington Mystics in the first round and then sweeping the New York Liberty in the semifinals. Talk about momentum!
On the other side, the Golden State Valkyries are making their first-ever Finals trip, and get this, they are only in their second season as a franchise, debuting as an expansion team in 2025. What a ride! They had a tougher first-round battle, needing all three games to take down the Dallas Wings, but then they pulled off a massive upset, ousting the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces in a semifinal sweep. This is going to be a battle of two teams playing with everything to prove.
A Groundbreaking Season Leads To A Pivotal Schedule Change
This 2026 WNBA season has been an absolute rollercoaster, pushing boundaries both on and off the court. We saw a contentious, extended labor battle that actually led to a historic raise for the players, with the salary cap jumping from $1.5 million in 2025 to a massive $7 million in 2026. The players responded by absolutely raising the bar every single week, shattering multiple regular-season records. Clark became the first player in WNBA history to drop a 40-point, 10-assist game. Angel Reese broke the single-game rebounding record with a monstrous 26 boards. And Kelsey Mitchell blew past A’ja Wilson’s single-season points record. This is a league on fire!
Now, that intensity carries right into the Finals, which will be a best-of-seven series for only the second time ever. Game 1 kicks off this Saturday, October 17th, with the Valkyries hosting the Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco. Then Game 2 is Monday, October 19th. The series then shifts to Atlanta, but not without that crucial schedule tweak: Game 3 is now Wednesday, October 21st, and Game 4 is Saturday, October 24th, with both those Dream home games happening at State Farm Arena. This schedule adjustment for Game 3 is a clear move to maximize the moment for Atlanta, and you know the Valkyries are watching how it all plays out.
The Full WNBA Finals Schedule: Don’t Miss A Second
Here’s how the rest of this epic series shakes out. Get ready to clear your calendar, because a champion will be crowned!
* **Saturday, Oct. 17:** Game 1, Valkyries vs. Dream, 3:30 p.m. ET
* **Monday, Oct. 19:** Game 2, Valkyries vs. Dream, 8 p.m. ET
* **Wednesday, Oct. 21:** Game 3, Dream vs. Valkyries, 8 p.m. ET
* **Saturday, Oct. 24:** Game 4, Dream vs. Valkyries, 1 p.m. ET
* **Monday, Oct. 26:** Game 5*, Valkyries vs. Dream, 8 p.m. ET
* **Thursday, Oct. 29:** Game 6*, Dream vs. Valkyries, 8 p.m. ET
* **Saturday, Oct. 31:** Game 7*, Valkyries vs. Dream, 8 p.m. ET
The action starts this weekend. We’re about to witness history with a first-time champion, and after the season these players have given us, you know they’re going to leave it all on the court. It’s going to 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 CBS Sports.
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