The WNBA announced Monday that Game 6 of the 2026 WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries will be played on Thursday at the 17,000-seat State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
In an episode of “NBA Today,” ESPN insider Ramona Shelburne said that if a team clinches the title in Game 6, the postgame celebration could move to a different location. State Farm Arena is scheduled to host a game between the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers at 8:00 p.m. ET.
“They have to turn that arena over for the Hawks game,” Shelburne said. “So that championship (may) not actually be on that court. I’ve heard there are discussions about whether there’s enough time to turn the arena over and time for the fans to celebrate on the court. It could be moved to, like, a practice court.”
Many social media users reacted to Shelburne’s report, with several criticizing the WNBA and the Dream. Others suggested that Game 6 should stay at Gateway Center, the team’s regular home arena.
“Atlanta Dream such (an) incompetent organization LOL,” one fan tweeted.
“This league is not serious, man,” another fan wrote.
“Should’ve just played at Gateway this is f***ing st***d,” a fan said.
Here are other reactions:
“What a s**t show. Championships are supposed to mean something; hopefully the WNBA learns from this,” one fan commented.
“Will be hilarious to watch some security guard boot all these players off the floor postgame saying, ‘We have a real game to get ready for,'” another fan posted.
“Rather it be at Gateway. Pay homage to the place (you’ve) been (in) and everyone loves before moving to State Farm,” a fan wrote.
Rumors of a potential venue change emerged after the Golden State Valkyries won Game 4 on Saturday. Game 6 was originally scheduled for Thursday at 8:00 p.m. ET at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia.
Rather than playing the WNBA Finals in a smaller 3,500-seat arena, the league moved the game to State Farm Arena and adjusted its tipoff to 12:30 p.m. ET.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a press release that the schedule adjustment was due to sellout crowds at State Farm Arena during Games 3 and 4.
Analyst says potential Game 6 title celebration would be ‘a terrible look’ for the league
Longtime sports writer Richard Deitsch said Monday that the schedule and venue changes for Game 6 of the WNBA Finals present a “terrible look” and will be “brutal” for viewership ratings.
“This is a terrible look for the WNBA — and there is no way (to) spin it,” Deitsch tweeted. “I realize all the potential solutions sucked, but the prospect of crowning a champion on a Thursday afternoon is just brutal optics (and will be brutal television ratings). If you are the league, you are praying for a G7.”
Game 5 of the 2026 WNBA Finals is scheduled for Monday at Chase Center in San Francisco. If necessary, Game 7 would be played on Oct. 31.
Earlier this month, the Dream announced a multi-year agreement that will make State Farm Arena their home venue beginning with the 2027 season.
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Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos
