
'What a Mess,' 'Gotta Act Like a Pro League' - WNBA Fans React As Dream vs. Valkyries Game 6 Venue Remains Uncertain Mohamed Rizvi Sun, October 25, 2026 at 7:39 PM UTC · 4 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Golden State Valkyries beat the Atlanta Dream 67-62 on Saturday at State Farm Arena. The win tied the WNBA Finals at 2-2 and guaranteed a Game 6 in Atlanta. As of Sunday, nobody knows where or even when that game will be played, ESPN's Alexa Philippou and Ramona Shelburne reported.
Fans were divided Sunday over who is to blame. One fan was among the latest to weigh in and pointed the finger at the Dream's ownership. Others put it on the WNBA.
Talks among the WNBA, the NBA, the Valkyries, the Dream and the Atlanta Hawks went into Sunday without a resolution, the report said. Game 6 is set for Thursday, Oct. 29. The Hawks host the Cleveland Cavaliers at State Farm Arena that same night.
The Dream's home venue, Gateway Center Arena in College Park, holds about 3,500 people. The team has played all five of its home playoff games at the 17,000-seat State Farm Arena, which is the Hawks' home and is run by the Hawks. Games 3 and 4 were moved to State Farm Arena, and both sold out quickly.
One fan aimed at the top of the organization: "Dream ownership what a joke!"
A Dream spokesperson gave the team's position Sunday: "We are waiting to hear from the league if any changes can be made to allow us to play in State Farm Arena. If not, the game will be played in Gateway Center Arena."
READ MORE: 'Honestly What Killed Us' — Angel Reese Reveals Why Dream Dropped Game 4 of WNBA Finals to Valkyries Despite Momentum
Multiple sources told ESPN it is a real possibility that Game 6 stays on Thursday as scheduled, at Gateway.
The Dream and the Hawks have different owners. Even so, the Hawks have said they want to host the Finals in their arena again, sources told ESPN. The Dream announced earlier this month that they will become a full-time tenant at State Farm Arena starting in 2027.
Hawks executive Steve Koonin was asked about Game 6 on Friday, the day before Game 4, on 92.9 The Game's "Dukes and Bell" show: "To be 100% clear, the decision is the league's. We do not have a decision … It's very hard to move NBA games."
Another fan took the same side as the first: "This isn't Golden State's problem. It shows how little Atlanta ownership cares for the Dream. Oh well."
The Valkyries do have a say in one possible fix. State Farm Arena is open on October 27 and October 30. One proposal would move Game 6 to Friday, October 30.
It would also move a possible Game 7 at Chase Center from Saturday, October 31, to Tuesday, November 3. The WNBA would back that plan only if both teams agree, sources told ESPN.
The Valkyries have raised concerns about moving two Finals games. The schedule change would create three off-days before both Game 6 and a possible Game 7.
A Valkyries spokesperson said in a statement, "We fully support what's best for the league and will stand behind whatever it decides."
"Love the WNBA. Big fan. The league just can't stop getting in its own way. This is embarrassing for a huge professional league to have not figured this out already. This is unacceptable … Gotta act like a pro league," one fan wrote.
ESPN reported that sources on all sides were frustrated the issue had not been settled before Saturday.
Another fan was more direct: "Exactly why this is WNBA's fault."
As of Sunday, the league had not settled on a plan.
Keeping the game at State Farm Arena runs into the NBA schedule. The NBA has been working with the Hawks and Cavaliers to see whether Thursday's game could be moved to another date or even to Cleveland, according to ESPN.
Others have pushed back, saying the knock-on effects of a move are too complicated. The Hawks-Cavs game is already the second night of a back-to-back for both teams.
READ MORE: 'What a Sad Organization,' 'Good Job' – WNBA Fans Clash As Valkyries, Dream's National Anthem Controversy Continues to Loom Over Finals
Other Atlanta-area options include Georgia Tech's McCamish Pavilion and Gas South Arena in Duluth. Neither is viewed as ideal, the report said, since neither team would feel at home there.
Another fan wrote, "Somebody let the Atlanta Dream know that some Planet Fitness locations in Atlanta have basketball hoops behind the building! … Let's play ball."
Game 5 is Monday at 5 p.m. Pacific at Chase Center in San Francisco. Game 6 is still listed for Thursday at 8 p.m. Eastern in Atlanta. Fans looking to buy tickets have been told to wait until the issue is settled, according to ESPN.
Until the WNBA decides, it is not clear whether Game 6 will be at State Farm Arena, at Gateway Center, or on another night.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network .
Source: Sports
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