SAN FRANCISCO ― The time and location for WNBA Finals Game 6 has been confirmed, the league announced on Monday, Oct, 26.
The WNBA released a statement saying Game 6 between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries will be played at State Farm Arena, which seats 17,000 people, and not the Dream's home venue, Gateway Center Arena, which holds 3,500 people. The game has been moved up to 12:30 p.m. ET from 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 29, to accommodate the Atlanta Hawks game that evening.
The WNBA and NBA, alongside USA Network, NBC and Peacock, said they would bolster their marketing and promotional efforts with a coordinated push across broadcast, digital and social platforms to drive tune-in and build awareness of the game time.
“The sellout crowds and extraordinary atmosphere at State Farm Arena for Games 3 and 4 were a tremendous success, and we’re excited to give thousands more fans the opportunity to experience Game 6 with a championship on the line,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. “We thank the NBA, Dream, Valkyries, Hawks, State Farm Arena and USA Network for the collaboration and flexibility that made this move possible. We look forward to delivering another unforgettable Finals experience in Atlanta.”
The best-of-seven series is tied at 2-2, meaning a sixth game was guaranteed. Game 5 will be played at 8 p.m. ET Monday at Chase Center in San Francisco.
Before Monday's announcement, Game 6 was to be played at the Gateway due to scheduling conflicts at State Farm. The Atlanta Hawks host the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7 p.m. ET Thursday, after Game 6. With the latest development, the Dream and Hawks will now both play at State Farm Arena on the same day for the second time during the WNBA Finals.
Ahead of the championship series, the date for Game 3 was changed from Thursday, Oct. 22 to Wednesday, Oct. 21, to accommodate the venue change to State Farm.
Game 4 remained on Saturday Oct. 24, but the tipoff time moved to 1 p.m. ET from its original 3:30 p.m. to accommodate a Hawks vs. Houston Rockets game at State Farm the same day. The Hawks game moved from an 8 p.m. ET start to an 8:30 p.m. tipoff.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA moves Finals Game 6 to State Farm Arena, changes start time