The Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream will face off in the 2026 WNBA Finals beginning Saturday, October 17, at 3:30 p.m. ET at Chase Center in San Francisco. The best-of-seven championship series will produce a first-time WNBA champion, with NBC and Peacock carrying the opening game.
The schedule underwent a late change before the series, with Game 3 moved to October 21 and Game 4 given an earlier start time. Both games will take place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, while Golden State holds home-court advantage as the No. 2 seed against the fourth-seeded Dream.
2026 WNBA Finals schedule: Dates, times and venues
The Finals open with two games in San Francisco before shifting to Atlanta. The league has confirmed dates and tip-off times for all seven possible games, although the venue for a potential Game 6 remains undecided.
According to the Golden State Valkyries' official broadcast schedule, the championship series will follow this calendar:
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Venue | TV/streaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Sat., Oct. 17 | 3:30 p.m. | Chase Center | NBC, Peacock |
| Game 2 | Mon., Oct. 19 | 8 p.m. | Chase Center | USA, CNBC, Peacock |
| Game 3 | Wed., Oct. 21 | 8 p.m. | State Farm Arena | USA, CNBC, Peacock |
| Game 4 | Sat., Oct. 24 | 1 p.m. | State Farm Arena | NBC, Peacock |
| Game 5* | Mon., Oct. 26 | 8 p.m. | Chase Center | USA, CNBC, Peacock |
| Game 6* | Thu., Oct. 29 | 8 p.m. | Atlanta venue TBD | USA, CNBC, Peacock |
| Game 7* | Sat., Oct. 31 | 8 p.m. | Chase Center | USA, CNBC, Peacock |
Games 5–7 will be played only if necessary. All times are Eastern.
The first team to win four games will claim the championship. A sweep would end the series October 24, while a full seven-game matchup would conclude October 31.
The Finals use a 2-2-1-1-1 home-court format. Golden State hosts Games 1 and 2, Atlanta hosts Games 3 and 4, and the teams alternate venues for any remaining games. Golden State would host the deciding Game 7.
Why Games 3 and 4 moved to State Farm Arena
Atlanta's return to the Finals created a scheduling problem. State Farm Arena, home of the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, had existing commitments that conflicted with the original championship calendar.
The Dream faced the possibility of hosting Finals games at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia. That facility seats approximately 3,500 basketball spectators, compared with roughly 17,000 at State Farm Arena.
The WNBA announced a revised arrangement on October 13, following negotiations involving the teams, arena officials and broadcast partners.
Game 3 shifted from Thursday, October 22, to Wednesday, October 21, while retaining its 8 p.m. ET tip-off. Game 4 remains Saturday, October 24, but will start at 1 p.m. ET instead of 3:30 p.m.
The Hawks also moved their October 24 home opener against the Houston Rockets from 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET, allowing both teams to play at State Farm Arena on the same day.
The agreement gives Atlanta a much larger venue for its first home Finals game since 2013. However, a possible Game 6 on October 29 still lacks a confirmed arena because of another scheduling conflict.
How the Valkyries and Dream reached the Finals
Golden State has made WNBA history in only its second season. After becoming the first expansion franchise to reach the playoffs in its inaugural year in 2025, the Valkyries are now the first to advance to the Finals in their second season.
The team defeated the Dallas Wings 2-1 in the opening round before sweeping the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals. Golden State secured the series-clinching victory October 9, beating Las Vegas 87-77 in overtime.
In its October 9 announcement confirming the Finals berth, Golden State reported that Gabby Williams led the team in postseason scoring through the semifinals, averaging 22.7 points per game.
Atlanta arrives without a postseason loss. The Dream swept the Washington Mystics 2-0 in the opening round and eliminated the New York Liberty 3-0 in the semifinals.
The Dream last reached the Finals in 2013 and previously competed for the championship in 2010 and 2011. Despite those three appearances, the franchise has never won a Finals game.
Golden State swept the regular-season series
The Valkyries won all three games against Atlanta during the 2026 regular season, including two meetings at Chase Center and a July 4 matchup in Atlanta.
Their regular-season head-to-head recap shows Golden State winning 77-66 on June 24, 78-75 on June 26 and 88-83 on July 4.
Those results favor Golden State, but Atlanta enters the Finals in stronger form than when the teams last met. The Dream won nine of their final 10 regular-season games before sweeping their first two playoff series.
Defense could determine the championship. Golden State finished the regular season with the WNBA's best defensive rating, while Atlanta ranked third. Both teams also rank among the postseason leaders in generating steals and limiting transition opportunities.
Atlanta's Angel Reese, the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year, presents a significant rebounding challenge. Golden State will counter with Williams, Veronica Burton and Kiah Stokes, whose collective defensive contributions helped contain Las Vegas in the semifinals.
The Valkyries' October 14 Finals preview also highlighted Atlanta's perimeter defense, with Jordin Canada, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray each averaging at least two steals per playoff game.
Golden State has the advantage of three regular-season wins and home court, but Atlanta's undefeated playoff run leaves little separating the finalists entering Game 1.
Where to watch Valkyries vs. Dream
Peacock will stream every game of the 2026 WNBA Finals in the United States. NBC will televise Games 1 and 4, while USA Network will carry Games 2 and 3 and any necessary Games 5–7. CNBC will simulcast Games 2 and 3, along with Games 5–7 if played.
Viewers can watch through eligible cable, satellite or live-TV streaming services that carry the relevant networks. Peacock provides a separate streaming option for the full series.
WNBA League Pass does not offer live U.S. access to nationally televised Finals games covered by NBC, Peacock and USA Network. Under the league's official blackout policy, replays of nationally blacked-out games become available at 6 a.m. ET the following day. Live League Pass availability outside the United States depends on local broadcast restrictions.
Fans attending in person can watch Games 1 and 2 at Chase Center, followed by Games 3 and 4 at State Farm Arena. A fifth game, if needed, would return the series to San Francisco on October 26.
The championship pits Golden State's remarkable rise against Atlanta's long-awaited return to the Finals. The Valkyries have won every meeting between the teams this season; the Dream have yet to lose in the playoffs. Starting October 17, one of those streaks will give way as both franchises pursue their first WNBA title.