Downtown arena to host all WNBA Dream games—for multiple years

Good news for downtown Atlanta’s economy: The WNBA’s surging Atlanta Dream are set to make State Farm Arena their permanent home court for upcoming seasons. 

Dream officials announced today a multi-year agreement to make downtown’s second largest arena the new location for all Dream games in Atlanta, starting with the 2027 season, which gets underway in May. 

That means the Dream will play all 25 home games (excluding playoffs) at State Farm Arena each season in coming years, following the WNBA’s recent expansion to 50 regular season games.

According to Dream leadership, the move was prompted by the franchise’s “unprecedented growth,” boosted ticket demand, and a meteoric rise in interest for the WNBA experience in general. 

Over the past three seasons, the Dream has sold out every game at its current home, the 3,500-capacity Gateway Center Arena in College Park, near the Atlanta airport. The team has also sold out State Farm Arena—packing in more than 17,000 fans to set records in multiple cases—in that same timespan. 

Dream season ticket members have grown more than 400 percent over the past five years under new team ownership, with ticket buyers coming from all 50 states, per team officials.

Exactly how long the multi-year agreement to play all home games at State Farm Arena will last hasn’t been specified. 

Team officials say Dream home games at State Farm Arena will aim to “preserve the intimacy, traditions, and fan engagement that have defined its home games” over the past five seasons in College Park. 

The dramatic increase in seating capacity at the downtown coliseum will allow for a broader range of ticket prices and “expanded opportunities for premium experiences,” per the team. Season tickets are on sale now.  

“Our players and our fans have transformed Gateway Center Arena into the most exciting experience in the WNBA,” Morgan Shaw Parker, Atlanta Dream president and COO, said in today’s announcement. “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 No. 4 seed Dream are currently battling the No. 8 seed New York Liberty in the WNBA playoff semifinals. The Dream lead the series 0-1, with Game 2 set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at State Farm Arena.  

The Dream were established in 2008 and today are the only WNBA franchise operating in the Southeast. The team has made three WNBA Finals appearances, earned 12 playoff bids, and produced 13 All-Stars since its founding. 

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