Atlanta WNBA: Your Guide to the Atlanta Dream, Game Day, and Women’s Hoops in the City

Atlanta’s connection to the WNBA centers on one team: the Atlanta Dream. Whether you live in the metro area, are visiting for a weekend, or you’re trying to understand how women’s professional basketball works in Atlanta, this guide walks you through everything you need to know.

The Atlanta Dream: Atlanta’s WNBA Team

Atlanta is home to the Atlanta Dream, the city’s franchise in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).

• League: WNBA (women’s professional basketball)
• Home city: Atlanta, Georgia
• Home arena: Typically plays home games at Gateway Center Arena @ College Park
• Season: Roughly May through September, plus playoffs when applicable

The Dream bring top-level women’s basketball to the Atlanta area, with players who have competed at college powerhouses and in international leagues. For local fans, the team offers a big-league experience that’s often more affordable and accessible than some other major pro events.

Where the Atlanta Dream Play

Home Arena: Gateway Center Arena @ College Park

Most Atlanta Dream home games are played at:

Gateway Center Arena @ College Park
2330 Convention Center Concourse
College Park, GA 30337

This arena is just south of downtown Atlanta, near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Key features for fans:

• Indoor, modern venue with good sightlines from most seats
• Smaller capacity than NBA/NFL venues, which creates a more intimate, high-energy atmosphere
• Access to concessions, team merchandise, and fan activities during many games

Because team schedules, venues, and special events can change, it’s wise to confirm the current season’s home venue and game locations before you go.

Getting to the Arena: Transportation and Parking

If you’re planning to attend an Atlanta WNBA game, you have several options for getting to Gateway Center Arena.

By Car

• The arena is near I-285, I-85, and Camp Creek Parkway.
• Event parking is typically available in nearby lots and decks around the Gateway Center and Georgia International Convention Center area.
• Plan for extra time around weekday evening games, when commuter traffic around the airport and interstates can be heavy.

By MARTA 🚇

For many fans, MARTA is the most convenient way to reach games, especially from downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead.

Basic approach:

1. Take MARTA rail to the College Park Station (Red or Gold Line).
2. From there, options can include a short ride-share, shuttle, or local bus connection to the Gateway Center area, depending on current service patterns.

Because MARTA routes and shuttles can change, it’s best to check current rail and bus options and game-day transit info in advance.

Ride-Share & Drop-Off

Ride-share services and taxis typically use designated pick-up and drop-off zones around the Gateway Center complex. If you want to avoid parking costs, this can be a straightforward choice, particularly for weekend games or nights out with a group.

When the WNBA Season Happens in Atlanta

The WNBA season usually follows a spring–summer schedule:

• Training camp & preseason: Late April–early May
• Regular season: Roughly May through September
• Playoffs: Late summer into early fall, for qualifying teams

For Atlanta residents, that means WNBA games are often a warm-weather activity, overlapping with:

• Summer break for schools
• Tourist season and festivals around Downtown, Midtown, and Centennial Olympic Park
• Baseball season at Truist Park, making it easy to plan multi-sport weekends

Game times are often in the evenings during the week and afternoons or evenings on weekends.

Buying Tickets for Atlanta Dream Games

If you want to see the WNBA in Atlanta, you have multiple options for tickets:

• Single-game tickets for casual fans or one-off outings
• Season tickets and mini-plans for regular attendees
• Group tickets for youth teams, schools, and community organizations
• Premium seating options, sometimes including club access or courtside seats

💡 Tip: For popular matchups or special theme nights, tickets can sell quickly. Atlanta fans often buy early for:

• Games against high-profile star players or championship-contending teams
• Weekend dates that align with major city events or holidays

Always confirm ticket availability, pricing, and policies (including mobile tickets or will-call procedures) before heading to the arena.

What to Expect on Game Day

Atlanta WNBA games are designed to be fan-friendly and family-accessible.

Atmosphere

Expect:

• High-energy in-arena entertainment (music, contests, time-out activities)
• Engaged crowds with a strong mix of families, youth sports teams, and longtime basketball fans
• A focus on community, including themed nights highlighting local organizations or causes

Concessions & Merch

At most games, you’ll find:

• Standard arena food and drink options (snacks, soft drinks, sometimes adult beverages)
• Team merchandise, such as jerseys, shirts, hats, and foam fingers

Prices and offerings can vary by season and event, so estimate for typical arena pricing.

Family & Group Experience

For Atlanta-area families:

• WNBA games often feel more accessible and less overwhelming than very large stadium events.
• Many families appreciate the chance for kids to see women playing at the highest level, which can be especially meaningful for young athletes.
• Some games feature youth basketball nights, camp days, or school group sections, making them popular for local programs.

Atlanta WNBA Schedule and Planning Your Visit

Finding the Schedule

Each season, the Atlanta Dream release a full regular-season schedule, listing:

• Home and away games
• Dates and start times
• Special theme nights or community events

Local fans commonly:

• Compare the schedule to school calendars and holiday weekends
• Plan outings around Friday night and weekend games
• Look for games that line up with other downtown or southside plans

Timing Around Traffic and Events

Atlanta traffic can be unpredictable, especially:

• Weekday evenings along I-75/85, I-20, I-285, and near the airport
• Weekends with major events (concerts, festivals, or big games downtown)

To avoid stress:

• Aim to arrive at least 45–60 minutes before tip-off
• Build in extra time if coming from North Fulton, Gwinnett, or Cobb County

WNBA in the Broader Atlanta Sports Scene

Atlanta has a packed professional sports landscape:

• NFL: Atlanta Falcons
• NBA: Atlanta Hawks
• MLB: Atlanta Braves
• MLS: Atlanta United
• WNBA: Atlanta Dream

For residents, this means:

• You can easily pair a WNBA game with other attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, or College Football Hall of Fame over a multi-day visit.
• Sports fans often rotate between State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Truist Park, and Gateway Center Arena depending on the season.

The WNBA adds a women’s professional presence to Atlanta’s sports identity, offering another way to experience top-tier competition.

Youth Basketball and Women’s Hoops Culture in Atlanta

Atlanta has a strong youth basketball and high school hoops culture. For local families and young athletes:

• Seeing the WNBA in person can help connect youth players to the highest levels of the sport.
• Many youth and school teams attend games as group outings, especially from metro-area counties like DeKalb, Fulton, Clayton, Cobb, and Gwinnett.
• Community nights can highlight local programs, giving kids a sense of connection with professional players.

If you’re involved in a school, club, or rec league, it can be worthwhile to explore group ticket options for your team.

Practical Quick-Reference for Atlanta WNBA Fans

Atlanta WNBA Quick Guide

Tips for Visitors and New Residents

If you’re visiting Atlanta or have just moved here and want to experience the WNBA:

• Stay location-aware: If you’re based in Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead, check how long it typically takes to get to College Park during rush hour.
• Combine activities: Consider pairing a day at a downtown attraction with an evening WNBA game, especially on weekends.
• Look for day games: Some summer and special event games are played earlier in the day, which can be easier for families or out-of-town guests.

By understanding where the Atlanta Dream play, how the WNBA season fits into the city’s calendar, and how to navigate game day logistics, you can make Atlanta’s WNBA experience a regular part of your sports calendar—or a memorable highlight of your visit to the city.