The Atlanta Dream announced on March 25 that the team will play five of its regular season home games at State Farm Arena during the 2026 Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) season, setting a league record for most games played by a WNBA team at an alternate venue in one season.
This move comes as fan demand for women’s basketball continues to rise, and reflects the organization’s commitment to bringing the sport to larger audiences across Atlanta and the Southeast. The Dream’s first game at State Farm Arena in 2026 will be their home opener on May 17 against defending champions Las Vegas Aces. Other featured matchups include two contests with Indiana Fever, a meeting with expansion team Toronto Tempo, and a regular-season finale against Chicago Sky.
“There’s nothing like Dream basketball in Atlanta,” said Morgan Shaw Parker, president and chief operating officer of the Atlanta Dream. “Our fans bring unmatched passion and energy every night, and bringing five games to State Farm Arena allows us to share that atmosphere with even more people. It’s a powerful moment for our franchise and a reflection of how much this city continues to embrace women’s basketball.” Andrew Saltzman, president of business enterprise for the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena’s chief commercial officer, said: “We are incredibly proud to have the opportunity to host five Atlanta Dream games at State Farm Arena this season. The WNBA’s growth is undeniable, and we are honored to provide a world-class stage for these athletes and a top-tier experience for every fan who comes to cheer them on.”
The team previously hosted two games at State Farm Arena in 2024 and one in 2025—all against Indiana Fever—but will expand its slate of opponents at the downtown venue this year. Attendance records have been set during previous events: On August 26, 2024, over seventeen thousand fans attended a game against Indiana Fever—setting Georgia’s WNBA attendance record—and more than seventeen thousand attended again in May 2025.
The organization enters its new campaign after finishing third overall last year with thirty wins—the highest winning percentage (.681) in franchise history—and returning playoff basketball to Atlanta for the first time since 2018 under head coach Karl Smesko.
The Atlanta Dream maintains its role as an important part of professional women’s basketball according to its official website. Ownership partners include Larry Gottesdiener, Suzanne Abair, and Renee Montgomery according to official sources. The club also focuses on empowering girls through leadership development initiatives while supporting education through programs such as backpack drives as reported by its website.
By expanding into larger venues like State Farm Arena—which serves communities throughout Georgia—the organization aims not only to meet rising ticket demand but also further elevate women’s professional sports according to information from their site.
