The 2026 WNBA Finals tip off Saturday, October 17, with a matchup between the league's best offence and its stingiest defence, as the Atlanta Dream face the Golden State Valkyries in Game 1 at Chase Center in San Francisco. Game 1 is scheduled for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. PT, with national coverage on NBC and streaming on Peacock.
All finals games will air on the same platforms. Both teams were able to take out their opponents in the semi-finals.
Golden State was able to sweep the Las Vegas Aces with three consecutive victories. Meanwhile, Atlanta won their series against New York Liberty via an 85-83 road victory.
From the records, it is evident that both finalists have an equal standing. Atlanta ended up on top of the Eastern Conference with a record of 30-14, scoring the most points per game in the entire league with 4,019 and a +302 point differential.
Golden State ended up with a record of 32-12, scoring 3,305 points, with a +310 point differential. They have met once this season, in which the Valkyries won with a score of 88-83.
Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard form a solid backcourt for Atlanta, with Angel Reese and Brionna Jones playing inside. On the other side are Gabby Williams, Tiffany Hayes, and a solid defence made up of Kiah Stokes and Iliana Rupert.
This should be a tough and physical first game. Home court and a July win give Golden State the edge in a close, low-scoring battle, but Atlanta's firepower makes this a series built to go the distance and entertain basketball fans globally.
Analysts believe that tactical adjustments made by the coaching staffs will play a pivotal role in determining the ultimate champion of this fiercely contested season. Fans across the globe are eagerly anticipating what promises to be one of the most memorable championship series in recent sports history.