Atlanta Dream face venue uncertainty from schedule conflict
- Game 5 of the WNBA Finals is scheduled to take place at the Chase Center in San Francisco, but the series will bounce back to Atlanta afterward.
- The State Farm Arena, where all five of the team's games have been played so far in this series, is booked up.
- If the team moves to the smaller venue, there is a certain poetic quality to the situation.
Game 5 of the WNBA Finals is scheduled to take place at the Chase Center in San Francisco, but the series will bounce back to Atlanta afterward. That setup has created an immediate scheduling hurdle for the Atlanta Dream. The team does not yet know precisely where the upcoming matches in Atlanta will be played.
State Farm Arena Bookings Force Potential Venue Shift
The State Farm Arena, where all five of the team’s games have been played so far in this series, is booked up. One potential alternative is the Gateway Center Arena, which holds a capacity of 3,500 people. State Farm Arena, by comparison, accommodates roughly 17,000 fans.
If the team moves to the smaller venue, there is a certain poetic quality to the situation. Should the Dream win Game 5 and Game 6, hoisting their first-ever WNBA Championship trophy at the arena they are leaving at the end of the season would mark a fitting farewell. That sentiment, however, would likely offer comfort only to the 3,500 spectators who manage to secure a seat.
NBA Coordination Efforts Underway for Arena Conflict
To avoid the downsize, the NBA is currently coordinating with the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Officials are exploring whether those teams can shift their own game scheduled for the same night to another date, or potentially move the contest to Cleveland. The arena predicament is a logistical issue that the WNBA could likely have addressed weeks ago when it became evident the Dream would need a hosting plan for Game 3 and Game 4.
Washington Mystics Face Similar Venue Limitations Ahead
The situation serves as a warning sign for the Washington Mystics, a young roster that reached the first round of the playoffs this season. Head coach Sydney Johnson was floated for Coach of the Year following a strong showing that entertained fans near and far. The Mystics currently play home games at the CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C., which holds a capacity of 4,200 seats.
While that capacity slightly exceeds the Gateway Center Arena, the venue would likely present challenges if the Mystics host second-round or WNBA Finals games in future seasons. Monumental Sports & Entertainment owns both the Washington Wizards and the Mystics, with the Wizards currently playing at the 20,000-seat Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.