Atlanta Hawks Schedule: How to Follow Every Game in Atlanta

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and want to keep up with the Atlanta Hawks schedule, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re planning a night out at State Farm Arena, catching games at a local bar, or just trying to keep your calendar straight, it helps to know how the NBA schedule works and how to track it from here in Atlanta.

How the Atlanta Hawks Schedule Works

The Hawks play an 82‑game regular season, typically running from October through April, with potential playoff games extending into late spring or early summer.

The schedule is built around:

  • Home games at State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta
  • Road games across the country and in Canada
  • Divisional and conference matchups (especially against other Eastern Conference teams)
  • Back-to-back games and longer road trips that can affect traffic and downtown activity

From an Atlanta resident’s perspective, the key distinction is simple:
Home games affect traffic, parking, and nightlife near Downtown / Centennial Olympic Park; away games are mostly about TV, streaming, or radio schedules.

Key Parts of the Hawks Season for Atlanta Fans

Preseason (Early Fall)

  • Usually late September to mid-October
  • Mix of home and road games
  • Often less expensive tickets and a more relaxed arena atmosphere
  • Good option if you want to see the Hawks at State Farm Arena without peak regular‑season crowds

Regular Season (October–April)

  • 82 games total: roughly half in Atlanta, half on the road
  • Many evening games, typically starting around 7:30 p.m. Eastern
  • Occasional early tip-offs on weekends or holidays
  • Higher energy at the arena, more fans, heavier traffic around game time

Playoffs (If the Hawks Qualify)

  • Typically start mid-April
  • Dates depend on seeding and matchups
  • Schedules can be announced on shorter notice, so locals often follow updates more closely
  • Ticket demand, traffic, and downtown activity generally all increase on playoff game days

State Farm Arena: The Home of the Hawks

Most Atlanta residents and visitors will experience the Hawks schedule through games at State Farm Arena, located in downtown Atlanta.

State Farm Arena
1 State Farm Drive
Atlanta, GA 30303

It’s next to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and near CNN Center and Centennial Olympic Park.

From an Atlanta planning standpoint:

  • Weeknight games mean heavier traffic near Downtown, Castleberry Hill, and the Connector (I‑75/I‑85) around 6–8 p.m.
  • Weekend games draw more families and out-of-town visitors; parking can be tighter but rush-hour traffic is usually lighter.
  • The MARTA rail system (Five Points Station and GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station) is a practical option if you’d rather not deal with downtown parking.

Typical Weekly Rhythm of a Hawks Schedule

While exact dates change yearly, the pattern is fairly consistent:

Time of WeekWhat Atlanta Fans Can Expect
Monday–Thursday0–3 games; most tip-offs early evening
FridayOften a home game; downtown nightlife is busier
SaturdayFrequent home or road game; earlier or prime-time tip-offs
SundayAfternoon or early evening games are common

Because the NBA schedule shifts each year, it’s best to check current listings rather than relying on last season’s pattern, but this rhythm helps if you’re loosely planning nights out, rideshares, or family outings.

How to Check the Current Atlanta Hawks Schedule

Since schedules change each season and can have flexible game times, you’ll want to rely on regularly updated sources. From an Atlanta perspective, these are common approaches:

1. Team and Arena Information

Look for:

  • Full season schedule (home and away)
  • Printable calendar views
  • Game-by-game details like opponents, start times, and whether it’s a home or road game

These listings often highlight:

  • Promotional nights (e.g., bobblehead giveaways, theme nights)
  • Special events that may affect when doors open or how early you should arrive

2. Local Broadcast and Radio Information

The Hawks schedule is typically aligned with:

  • Regional sports networks for TV in the Atlanta viewing area
  • Local radio covering pregame and postgame shows

From a consumer standpoint in Atlanta, it helps to know:

  • Some games might be exclusive to regional TV channels
  • Nationally televised games (for example, on major sports networks) can have shifted start times, including late tips at 8 or 9 p.m.

This is important if you’re planning:

  • Weeknight viewing parties at home or at local sports bars
  • Evening plans that need to end before or after the game

3. Mobile and Calendar Integration

Many Atlanta residents:

  • Add the Atlanta Hawks schedule to their phone’s calendar
  • Use sports or calendar apps that automatically update times and matchups
  • Turn on game reminders so they don’t miss tip-off

This is especially useful when:

  • Game times shift due to national TV
  • You’re juggling multiple schedules (kids’ activities, work, and Hawks games)

Planning a Game Night in Atlanta

Choosing a Home Game to Attend

When looking at the Atlanta Hawks home schedule, consider:

  • Opponent: High-profile teams often draw larger crowds and sell out faster.
  • Day of the week:
    • Weeknights: easier to get tickets, but downtown traffic is heavier.
    • Weekends: more flexibility for families and visitors.
  • Time of tip-off: Earlier games can be better for younger kids or visitors relying on MARTA schedules or rideshares.

Getting to State Farm Arena

From within Atlanta, common ways to get to Hawks games:

  • MARTA Rail
    • GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station is the closest stop.
    • Walking distance is short and mostly indoors or covered for part of the way.
  • Driving and Parking
    • Multiple parking decks and surface lots around the arena, including near The Gulch and Centennial Olympic Park Drive.
    • Expect congestion near I‑20 and I‑75/I‑85 interchanges before and after games.
  • Rideshare and Taxis
    • Designated pick-up and drop-off zones are generally set around the arena; plan a meeting spot a block or two away if you want to avoid the tightest traffic.

Timing Your Arrival

The schedule lists tip-off time, but for local planning:

  • Doors generally open about 60–90 minutes before the listed start
  • If you want to:
    • Browse team shops
    • Get food before lines build
    • Watch warmups
      Arriving at least 30–45 minutes before tip-off usually works better than walking in right at game time.

Watching the Hawks in Atlanta When They’re on the Road

The Atlanta Hawks road schedule is just as important if you prefer watching from home or around the city.

At Home

  • Many Atlanta households track which games are on regional channels versus national broadcasts.
  • Game times are listed in Eastern Time, so you don’t need to adjust, even when the Hawks play out west; just be aware that West Coast games can start later in the evening.

At Local Bars and Restaurants

Across Midtown, Buckhead, Downtown, and the BeltLine, many sports‑oriented spots organize their screens around:

  • Hawks games
  • Falcons and Braves when in season

Calling ahead or checking daily boards can help confirm:

  • Whether they plan to show the Hawks game with sound
  • If there are any game-day specials or events that might affect seating

How the Hawks Schedule Affects Getting Around Atlanta

Even if you aren’t a basketball fan, the Hawks home schedule matters if you live, work, or commute around downtown.

Traffic and Commute Considerations

On home game nights, people in Atlanta commonly notice:

  • Heavier congestion on:
    • I‑75/I‑85 (the Downtown Connector)
    • Northside Drive
    • Marietta Street
    • Surrounding streets near the arena
  • More pedestrian traffic near Centennial Olympic Park, CNN Center, and the Georgia World Congress Center

If you’re commuting through downtown:

  • Consider leaving work a bit earlier or later than usual on Hawks home game days.
  • You may want to use MARTA or surface streets that avoid the immediate arena area.

Downtown Businesses and Events

When the Hawks have:

  • Back-to-back home games
  • Weekend afternoon games
  • Playoff games

Area restaurants, parking lots, and rideshare zones can all be busier. Many Atlanta residents plan dinners, meet-ups, or errands near downtown with the Hawks home schedule in mind to either join the energy or avoid the rush.

Finding Future Hawks Home Dates for Trip Planning

If you’re visiting Atlanta and want to include a game in your plans:

  • Look at the Hawks home game schedule for the dates you’ll be in town.
  • Many visitors stay in nearby areas like Downtown, Midtown, or near the airport, all of which have straightforward MARTA or rideshare routes to State Farm Arena.
  • If you’re booking travel during the NBA playoffs, keep in mind that exact game dates can be set on shorter notice, so flexibility helps.

Quick Checklist for Atlanta Hawks Schedule Planning

For locals:

  • 🏀 Check the home schedule before scheduling big downtown errands or events.
  • 🚗 Expect extra traffic near State Farm Arena on game nights.
  • 📺 Use TV listings or apps to know if a game is regional or nationally televised.
  • 📅 Add key games to your calendar with alerts for tip-off time.

For visitors:

  • 🏨 Choose lodging with easy access to MARTA or main downtown routes if you plan to attend a game.
  • 🚶 Arrive downtown early to enjoy nearby spots around Centennial Olympic Park before tip-off.
  • 🎟 Use the official Hawks schedule to match your travel dates with a home game.

Staying on top of the Atlanta Hawks schedule from an Atlanta perspective is mainly about knowing when the team is at State Farm Arena, how that affects your commute or night out, and where you plan to watch the game—inside the arena or around the city.