Atlanta is preparing for a city-wide show of support as the Atlanta Dream begin their WNBA Finals campaign against the Golden State Valkyries on Saturday, with fans gathering at bars, restaurants and other venues across the city to watch Game 1.
The Dream have launched a series of official “All for Atlanta” watch parties, giving supporters the chance to follow the best-of-seven championship series together. The events are free, with participating venues offering team giveaways and other activities.
Atlanta Dream fans prepare for WNBA Finals watch parties
Jolene Jolene, described as Atlanta’s first bar dedicated to women’s sport, is among the venues hosting supporters. The Kirkwood venue plans to distribute rally towels and Atlanta Dream merchandise during the game.
The official list also includes The Beverly, STATS Brewpub, Tom, Dick & Hank, Park Tavern, SweetWater Brewing Company, McCray’s Tavern Beltline, Duke’s Hideaway and several Hudson Grille locations across the metropolitan area, as well as JR Crickets Cascade.
The Dream said the watch parties would be held for both home and away games, extending the atmosphere beyond the arena while the team competes for its first WNBA championship.
Excitement has also been building at prominent Atlanta landmarks. The city’s airport and the Georgia World Congress Center were due to be lit in blue on Friday evening in recognition of the team’s Finals appearance.
At Jolene Jolene, general manager Kelsey Numun said the Dream’s run had given the newly opened business a significant boost.
“We are so so so excited that our girls are having this great of a season,” she said.
Numun said the venue had already attracted strong crowds for regular-season and playoff games, but expected Saturday’s turnout to be larger. “We get great turnouts for all our games, even before they got into the playoffs,” she said. “People come here to watch the Dream.”
She added that staff were aiming to recreate the arena experience for supporters watching from across the city.
“We are doing everything we can to make sure that we’re giving these people here the best experience that they can have here, making it close as we can get to being in the arena while they’re away,” Numun said.
The enthusiasm has also drawn visitors from outside Georgia. Lena Abdoli, a Dream supporter from Birmingham, Alabama, said the team’s presence was immediately apparent inside the bar.
“It’s an energy that you just is palpable,” she said, adding that she hoped to attend when the Finals reach Atlanta.
Game 1 tips off at 3.30pm local time on Saturday, October 17, at the Chase Center in San Francisco. The second game will also be played there before the series moves to Atlanta.
The WNBA has confirmed that Games 3 and 4 will take place at State Farm Arena on Wednesday, October 21, and Saturday, October 24. Game 3 is scheduled for 8pm, while Game 4 will begin at 1pm.
Ticket details for the Atlanta games have been a major focus for supporters, with fans already preparing to secure seats when further sales become available.
