Home · Sports · Oct 28 archive
Dream Express Concerns Over Venue Unheeded, Move Finals Game
· Confirmed
In Short: The Atlanta Dream expressed concerns over venue size for the WNBA Finals, which went unheeded, leading to a rescheduled Game 6.
In an open letter to the city, the Atlanta Dream said their concerns over finding a properly sized venue for the WNBA Finals in Atlanta were ignored.
The Dream have played all their home games this postseason at State Farm Arena, which seats roughly 17,000 fans.
The organization reiterated their issues throughout the playoffs but noted that their concerns did not receive the attention or urgency they deserved.
The Dream's normal home, Gateway Center Arena, has a capacity of about 3,500 people.
Negotiations between the WNBA, Dream, Valkyries, Hawks, NBA, and broadcast partners took place over the weekend to determine the best course of action.
The team agreed to push back the start of their regular season home opener on Oct. 24 to accommodate the WNBA Finals.
The Dream said they moved their seat in order to address Enes Kanter Freedom's security concerns, while he claimed he was ejected from the arena.
Kanter Freedom had contacted federal, state, and local authorities, as well as the WNBA, the Atlanta Dream, and State Farm Arena officials, to express concerns about his personal safety.
The NBA moved all three WNBA Finals games to accommodate the Dream’s championship run.
All three Finals games in Atlanta have required hurried adjustments to the schedule.
The Dream said they believed that their fans and the city wanted the opportunity to be a part of this historic series on a world-class stage.
The Dream's letter expressed mixed feelings about moving the game, noting the affection and nostalgia for Gateway Center Arena.
What this adds
The Dream's concerns over venue size and Kanter Freedom's safety issues highlight the logistical challenges and security concerns surrounding the WNBA Finals.
What's confirmed
- ATLANTA -- In an open letter addressed to the city, the Dream said concerns they had over the availability of a properly sized venue for WNBA Finals games in Atlanta went unheeded and that the solution of moving Game 6 up to 12:30 p.m.
- The Dream have played all their home games this postseason at State Farm Arena, which seats roughly 17,000 fans.
- Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom tells OutKick that he is in contact with the FBI after receiving death threats over his plans to attend Game 3 of the WNBA Finals in Atlanta Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom was seen leaving State Farm Arena on Wednesday after a heated and lengthy confrontation with police at the security entrance over his seating arrangement for Game 3 of the WNBA Finals.
- “As much as we have great affection and nostalgia for Gateway Center Arena, we believed that our fans and the city wanted the opportunity to be a part of this historic series, and to see it played on a world-class stage,” the letter said.
- The NBA moved all three WNBA Finals games to accommodate the Dream’s championship run.
- — Enes Kanter FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) October 21, 2026 “I just got kicked out of a @WNBA game for the second time in a row for supporting WOMEN!” Kanter Freedom said in a caption along with the video of him and security at State Farm Arena.
- Freedom said he was looking forward to seeing Valkyries star, Gabby Williams, as he wrote, “this all started with an interview featuring Gabby Williams of the Golden State @Valkyries, when she said, ‘I have no problem with trans athletes playing on my team or against my team.'” Freedom has been in the controversial limelight as of late, when he announced over the summer that he was planning to enter the WNBA Draft as a transgender athlete.
What's still developing
- "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. 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."
- In an open letter to their fans on Tuesday, the Dream said they had raised concerns about a possible scheduling clash months ago, but the calls went unheeded.
- "So we’re saying we’re gonna make this a safe environment for you."
- "I'm speechless right now because I was pushing myself to the limit." Second serve ace for the win 😮💨 @SabalenkaA | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/HTypczF8Yq A quarter-final meeting between US fan favourite Frances Tiafoe and his compatriot Alex Michelsen was underway on Arthur Ashe Stadium, as both bid to end a 23-year American men's drought at the major.
- "You don't know who you're gonna see in Atlanta, so everybody always has fun."
- WarpBeat previously reported that Kanter Freedom was denied entry to Game 3 of the WNBA Finals after refusing a private suite offered for his safety.
- Freedom flagged safety concerns to law enforcement before the game, citing what he described as thousands of death threats.
- Caitlin Clark's Fever Message Draws 2-Word Reply from Kelsey Mitchell Valkyries Face Must-Win WNBA Finals Game 4 After Dream Blowout How Isobel Borlase Became Key for Dream's WNBA Finals Run Caitlin Clark's Fever Message Draws 2-Word Reply from Kelsey Mitchell Alexandra Eala Falls to Diana Shnaider, Exits 2026 Ningbo Open Elena Rybakina Reaches Ningbo Quarterfinals After Kudermetova Retires WNBA Finals Openers Set Viewership Records on NBC, USA The DNA Of: How Natalie Nakase Built the WNBA’s Most Dangerous Expansion Team Start your morning off right. 5x a week.
- But due to the increasing popularity in women’s professional basketball, the Dream tried to move the game to the State Farm Arena, where the Atlanta Hawks of the (M)NBA play.
- “WNBA is self-destructing, and the NBA is supporting them in this foolishness on so many levels,” a fan quipped.
- "What a battle," said Sabalenka, who added to her reputation as one of the hardest players to beat in tiebreaks.
- "It's a bittersweet moment because I do love Gateway so much and I love the intimacy of being here and all the fans coming out and supporting us," Reese told WSB-TV.