When Do the Atlanta Hawks Play? Game Times, Schedule Tips, and Local Info for Fans in Atlanta

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting the city, or just want to catch a game at State Farm Arena, knowing when the Atlanta Hawks play can help you plan your day, your commute, and your night out downtown.

Below is a practical guide to Hawks game times, how the NBA schedule is structured, and what Atlanta fans should know about planning around game days.

How the Atlanta Hawks Schedule Works

The Atlanta Hawks, like every NBA team, follow the league’s standard calendar:

• Preseason: Early October
• Regular season: Mid to late October through mid-April
• Play-In Tournament and Playoffs (if the Hawks qualify): Mid-April through May (and potentially into June)

This means that most Hawks games are played between October and April, with extra games in the spring if the team earns a postseason spot.

Typical Game Days and Times

The exact day and time of each game changes week to week, but there are common patterns that are helpful if you live in Atlanta and are planning ahead.

Common Atlanta Hawks Game Days

During the regular season, the Hawks most often play on:

• Weeknights: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
• Weekends: Saturday and Sunday games are also common, especially for nationally televised matchups or family-friendly time slots.

It’s unusual for the team to have more than one day off in a row during busy stretches, and back-to-back games (on two consecutive days) do happen several times during the season.

Typical Game Start Times (Eastern Time)

Because Atlanta is on Eastern Time (ET), all home start times are listed in ET. While you should always check the specific game listing, many Hawks games fall into these windows:

Local fans often plan to arrive at State Farm Arena at least 30–60 minutes before tipoff to park, walk in, clear security, and find their seats.

Home Games in Atlanta vs. Road Games

When you ask, “When does the Atlanta Hawks play?”, you’ll see games listed as either:

• Home games – Played in Atlanta at State Farm Arena
  • Address: State Farm Arena, 1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Away (road) games – Played in other NBA arenas across the country

From an Atlanta resident’s perspective:

• Home games affect downtown traffic, MARTA crowds, and parking.
• Road games don’t affect local traffic as much, but they still influence how and when you might watch from home, a sports bar, or a friend’s place.

How to Check the Exact Time of the Next Hawks Game

Because NBA schedules change year to year and sometimes even within the season (for TV adjustments or special events), the best way to know exactly when the Hawks play next is to check one or more of these:

• Team schedule on the Hawks’ official channels
  Look for the full season schedule, which lists:

  • Opponent
  • Date
  • Tipoff time
  • Home or away designation

• Local listings for Atlanta sports channels
  Local sports networks and major national networks will list the exact tipoff times for television broadcasts.

• Arena event calendar for State Farm Arena
  The arena’s event calendar usually shows:

  • Game dates
  • Start times
  • Door opening times (often about 60–90 minutes before tipoff)

If you live or work in downtown Atlanta, checking the State Farm Arena calendar is also useful just to know when crowds and traffic are likely to increase in the area.

When Do Doors Open for Atlanta Hawks Games?

While exact times can vary, a common pattern for many NBA arenas, including in Atlanta, is:

• Doors open: Around 60–90 minutes before tipoff
  For example, if the Hawks game starts at 7:30 p.m., doors might open sometime between 6:00 and 6:30 p.m.

Arriving early can help if you:

• Want to avoid long lines at security and concessions
• Have kids and need extra time to get settled
• Are using MARTA and prefer less crowded trains
• Plan to enjoy nearby dining in Downtown Atlanta, CNN Center area, or along Marietta Street

Game Times and Getting to State Farm Arena

Because many Hawks games start in the early evening, it’s important for Atlanta residents to think about traffic and transit.

Traffic Considerations

On game nights, expect heavier traffic:

• On routes leading into Downtown Atlanta
• Near Mercedes-Benz Stadium / State Farm Arena area
• On major interstates such as I‑75/85 and I‑20 around rush hour and early evening

Arriving at least 45–60 minutes before tipoff can make parking and walking to the arena more manageable.

Using MARTA for Hawks Game Times

For many Atlanta fans, MARTA is the smoothest way to get to and from Hawks games:

• Closest station:GWCC/CNN Center/State Farm Arena Station on the Blue/Green Line
• This station comes out right next to the arena, making it convenient for night games.

Because most home games start around 7–7:30 p.m., evening MARTA service is typically active, but checking train frequency and final departure times is smart if you’re heading home late after overtime or postgame activities.

Day Games vs. Night Games in Atlanta

While the majority of Hawks games are night games, especially during the week, there are some daytime and early evening matchups.

What Atlanta Fans Should Know About Day Games

Day and afternoon games tend to:

• Be more family-friendly, since kids don’t have to be out as late.
• Create more midday traffic near downtown, particularly on Sundays.
• Allow more time to explore Centennial Olympic Park, College Football Hall of Fame, or nearby restaurants before or after the game.

If you’re planning a visit to Atlanta and want to build a full day downtown, looking for a Saturday or Sunday Hawks game can make scheduling easier.

Preseason, Regular Season, and Playoffs: When They Happen

Preseason (Early October)

• Games are often played in early October, sometimes with slightly different start times.
• Preseason is a good time for Atlanta locals to:
  • Try out the game-day experience with typically lighter crowds
  • Bring younger kids for a lower-key introduction to live basketball

Regular Season (October–April)

• Most of your weekday evening and weekend Hawks games take place during this stretch.
• Holiday games (around Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and MLK Day) may have special start times, including midday or nationally televised evening games.

Playoffs and Play-In Tournament (Mid-April and Beyond)

If the Hawks qualify:

• Play-In games and Playoff games may have times determined by national networks.
• Start times can be:
  • Early evening
  • Prime-time nights (later starts)
• Scheduling can vary more, so Atlanta fans often check times game by game.

Tips for Atlanta Residents Planning Around Game Times

Whether you’re going to the game or just trying to avoid traffic, knowing when the Hawks play helps you plan your day in Atlanta.

Here are some practical tips:

• Check the schedule at the start of each week
  🕒 Note which nights the Hawks are home so you can plan commuting routes, dinners, or downtown activities.

• Allow extra commute time on home game nights
  If you work in Downtown or Midtown, add 15–30 minutes to your usual commute when the Hawks have a home game around 7–7:30 p.m.

• Use MARTA for night games
  This can be simpler than dealing with parking near the arena, especially if you’re coming from Decatur, Doraville, Sandy Springs, or East Point.

• Look for earlier weekend tipoffs for families
  Sunday afternoon or early Saturday games are often easier with kids than late 8 or 9 p.m. starts.

• If you’re visiting Atlanta, build your day around the game time
  For example:

  • Afternoon at World of Coca‑Cola or Georgia Aquarium
  • Early dinner downtown
  • Then walk or take MARTA to State Farm Arena in time for a 7 p.m. tipoff

Quick Reference: When the Atlanta Hawks Usually Play

• Season:

  • Main NBA season runs October through April (plus possible postseason into May/June).

• Most common game times in Atlanta (ET):

  • Weeknights: Around 7:00–7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday games: Early evening or night
  • Sunday games: Afternoon to early evening

• Location of home games:

  • State Farm Arena
    1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303

For the exact answer to “When does the Atlanta Hawks play?” on any given day, check the current season schedule and confirm the date, opponent, and listed tipoff time in Eastern Time, especially if you’re heading downtown in Atlanta or planning to watch from home.