Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream competing during the WNBA Finals 2026

October 28, 2026

WNBA Finals 2026: When Is the Next Game and Which Team Is Leading?

Everyone who loves basketball are wondering who the WNBA Finals 2026 winner will be and when they will play their next game. The Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream have been locked in a sensational final that has been one of the most exciting in recent history. With tight, nail-biting games and huge comebacks, here is an easy to understand summary of what is currently going on in the 2026 WNBA Finals.

Who Is Playing in the WNBA Finals 2026?

This year sees the Golden State Valkyries face off against the Atlanta Dream. The Western Finals saw the Valkyries beat the Las Vegas Aces with a 3-0 sweep. While the Atlanta Dream swept through the New York Liberty. Both teams came into this game with some fire in their bellies and the series has been an intense battle.

Which Team Is Leading the 2026 WNBA Finals?

As of now, the Golden State Valkyries lead the series 3-2 over the Atlanta Dream. The Valkyries won Game 5 on Monday, and the series now returns to Atlanta for Game 6 at State Farm Arena. That means Golden State is just one win away from taking home the championship trophy, while Atlanta needs a win to keep its season alive.

Here’s how the series has gone so far, game by game:

Game 1: Golden State Valkyries 68, Atlanta Dream 64
Game 2: Atlanta Dream 79, Golden State Valkyries 65
Game 3: Atlanta Dream 97, Golden State Valkyries 71
Game 4: Golden State Valkyries 67, Atlanta Dream 62
Game 5: Golden State Valkyries 64, Atlanta Dream 55

As you can see, the series has swung back and forth. Atlanta came out strong in the middle games, but Golden State has found its rhythm again, winning two straight to grab control of the series.

When Is the Next WNBA Finals Game?

Game 6 will tip-off at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta at 9:30 a.m. PT / 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 29. This game will also be broadcasted on USA Network and streamed via Peacock.

If the Hawks win Game 6 then we have a Game 7. This will take place at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 31st. The game will again be broadcasted on USA, Peacock and CNBC. This time it will be played at the Golden States home court.

Full 2026 WNBA Finals Schedule

Here is the complete schedule for anyone who wants to catch every remaining game:

Game	Date	Time (ET)	Where
Game 1	Oct. 17	3:30 p.m.	Golden State
Game 2	Oct. 19	8:00 p.m.	Golden State
Game 3	Oct. 21	8:00 p.m.	Atlanta
Game 4	Oct. 24	1:00 p.m.	Atlanta
Game 5	Oct. 26	8:00 p.m.	Golden State
Game 6	Oct. 29	12:30 p.m.	Atlanta
Game 7 (if needed)	Oct. 31	8:00 p.m.	Golden State

This year’s finals use a 2-2-1-1-1 format, meaning the higher seed (Golden State) hosts Games 1, 2, 5, and 7, while the lower seed (Atlanta) hosts Games 3, 4, and 6.

How to Watch the WNBA Finals 2026

If you want to watch the games live, here’s what you need to know:

TV Channels: NBC, USA Network, and CNBC are splitting the broadcast duties.
Streaming: Every single game streams on Peacock, and you can also catch it on DirecTV or YouTube TV.
Games 1 and 4 air on NBC, while the rest of the series airs on USA and CNBC.

This setup makes it easy for fans anywhere in the country to catch the action, whether they prefer cable or streaming.

Why This Finals Series Matters

The WNBA season has already been huge this year. Many of these players have had a great tournament at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup earlier in the year. A number of players on these teams have just come back from the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 in Berlin. With all that extra experience, we have seen some tough high quality basketball throughout this series.

If the Valkyries can win game 6 they will win their first ever WNBA Championship. If they win they will still have a chance to win the title in game 7.