ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Dream will play all of their home games in State Farm Arena beginning next season after landing a multi-year agreement with the venue, the team saidTuesday.
The franchise played five regular-season games at the home of the NBA's Atlanta Hawks this season, as well as quarterfinal and semifinal games of the WNBA playoffs. Since 2021, Atlanta had played at the Gateway Center Arena, which seats about 3,500 people.
“This is an
exciting next chapter for the Atlanta Dream, and a direct reflection of the exciting style of play that is Dream basketball, the passion of our fans and the incredible growth of this franchise,” Morgan Shaw Parker, president and COO of the Dream, said in a statement. “Our players and our fans have transformed Gateway Center Arena into the most exciting experience in the WNBA.
"State Farm Arena gives us the opportunity to welcome thousands of additional fans while creating an even bigger stage for women’s basketball in Atlanta. We look forward to bringing the energy, traditions and spirit of Gateway with us to the heart of our city.”
The Dream sold out every game at Gateway Center Arena over the last three seasons and sold out the 17,000-seat State Farm Arena eight times during that span.
The team said the move will allow for more seating capacity, and the Dream will be able to offer a broader range of ticket options and prices.
If the Dream make the WNBA Finals, they will have to play at another venue. State Farm Arena isn't available because of a concert and the Hawks' home opener on Oct. 24. Atlanta leads New York 1-0 in the best-of-five semifinals. Game 2 is Wednesday night.
___
See AP’s full WNBA coverage here
