Game 6 of the 2026 WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries has been shifted to a Thursday afternoon tipoff at 12:30 p.m. Game 6 of the WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, prompting criticism from the Dream’s ownership group over the unexpected scheduling change.
Arena Conflicts and the Shift to Midday
The league moved the game from its original 8 p.m. start time to accommodate an NBA game featuring the Atlanta Hawks later that same evening. In an open letter to fans, the Atlanta Dream ownership group revealed they had raised concerns regarding potential arena scheduling conflicts two months prior, but those warnings did not receive immediate attention.
“Perhaps it was assumed that the Dream would not make it this far. Perhaps our place in the Finals was not accounted for. Whatever the reason, the reality is that we are here,” the owners wrote.
The owners noted that while they appreciated the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena adjusting schedules three times to support the Finals run, playing a midday game on a Thursday was neither their choice nor what they fought for.
Broader Reaction to the Thursday Tipoff
The unusual daytime schedule caught the attention of prominent figures outside the sports world. American rapper Flavor Flav proposed turning Thursday into a paid holiday so fans could attend or watch the game, sharing a mock letter directed at employers. Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton backed the proposal on social media, writing that she endorsed the message.
