The Atlanta Dream will be moving to State Farm Arena for the 2027 WNBA season, as announced on Tuesday. This shift is part of a multi-year deal with the arena, aligning with the league’s expansion to a 50-game schedule next season, with State Farm Arena set to host the Dream’s 25 home games.
For the past three seasons, the Dream have sold out every game at their current home, Gateway Center Arena, which has a capacity of just over 3,500 seats. During this same period, Atlanta also played several games at State Farm Arena—including six regular-season and two playoff games this year—with the arena reaching full capacity multiple times, accommodating over 17,000 fans. A postseason game against the New York Liberty tipped off at State Farm Arena on Wednesday.
Dream guard Rhyne Howard reflected on the experience of playing at State Farm, saying the games there felt like playoff contests and helped prepare the team for the postseason atmosphere. She noted that while fans support the team regardless of venue, having all home games at State Farm allows more people the chance to attend and cheer for the Dream.
Morgan Shaw Parker, the team’s president and chief operating officer, shared a quote from Dream co-owner Suzanne Abair emphasizing the importance of investing in women’s sports rather than merely betting on them—investments made with the expectation of returns rather than losses. She highlighted that running the team requires significant dedication and resources, stressing the need to maintain the vision without letting up.
Shaw Parker also said that the acquisition of star player Angel Reese influenced the arena move, explaining that the organization had to be ready to welcome a talent of her caliber. Reese’s presence has had an undeniable positive impact on both the team and the city.
Since joining the WNBA as an expansion team in 2008, Atlanta started playing at Philips Arena (now State Farm Arena) until 2016, spent two years at Georgia Tech’s McCamish Pavilion, and returned to State Farm in 2019. Afterward, the Dream moved to Gateway Center Arena in 2020, where they have played for seven seasons. The team is also exploring the possibility of building a female-focused arena in Atlanta down the line.
Currently, the Dream are taking part in the 2026 WNBA playoffs as the No. 4 seed, finishing 30-14 for a second straight season. They swept the Washington Mystics 2-0 in the first round and have advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2018, leading the New York Liberty 1-0 in the series as of this update.
This story was originally published on USA TODAY.
Fan Take: This move to State Farm Arena marks a major milestone for the Atlanta Dream and WNBA fans, signaling the league’s rising popularity and greater investment in women’s basketball. With more seats and a bigger stage, it could boost fan engagement and showcase the sport’s growing prominence in the professional sports landscape.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
