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Dream say concerns over finding available Finals venue went unheeded
Confirmed
In Short: In an open letter to the city, the Atlanta Dream said their concerns over the availability of a properly sized venue for WNBA Finals games in Atlanta went unheeded.
The Dream have played all their home games this postseason at State Farm Arena, which seats roughly 17,000 fans.
The organization said that while it reiterated the issues as the playoffs went on, 'our concerns did not receive the attention, nor the urgency that they deserved.'
Sources told ESPN's Alexa Philippou that the dates for the 2026 playoffs were sent internally to teams on December 15, 2025.
The Dream's normal home, Gateway Center Arena, has a capacity of about 3,500 people.
The Dream said they had raised concerns about a possible scheduling clash months ago, but the calls went unheeded.
The team said in its announcement at the time that it has seen a 400% growth in season ticket members over the past four years.
The Dream said it moved Enes Kanter Freedom's seat in order to 'address his security concerns,' while the former NBA player claimed he was ejected from the arena.
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.
Moments before the Valkyries and the Dream were set to play Game 3 of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday night, Freedom said he was kicked out of 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 flagged safety concerns to law enforcement before the game, citing what he described as thousands of death threats.
What's confirmed
- "We just got to do what we've got to do. We are locked in on winning Game 6 whether it's 8 a.m., 10 p.m., midnight. We got a championship to win."
- The Dream have played all their home games this postseason at State Farm Arena, which seats roughly 17,000 fans.
- "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.
- 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.
- — 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."
- Negotiations between the WNBA, Dream, Valkyries, Hawks, NBA and broadcast partners took place over the weekend to figure out the best course of action for all parties involved.
- "So we’re saying we’re gonna make this a safe environment for you."
- “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.
- "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.
- "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.
- "You don't know who you're gonna see in Atlanta, so everybody always has fun."
- “I guess they have to escort me out of the building,” Freedom, wearing a smirk and a shirt that read “What is a woman?” said while speaking with the league’s director of security in a video that he posted on X.
- 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.
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