The WNBA’s Atlanta Dream announced it will play its 2020 home games at Gateway Center Arena @ College Park. After playing at State Farm Arena in downtown last season, the Dream will move to its new home in Metro Atlanta’s Southside for its 13thseason, and the 10th season for owners Mary Brock and Kelly Loeffler.
“The Atlanta Dream seeks to represent the best of Atlanta, from a diverse community to warm hospitality to the sports and entertainment leadership our city is increasingly known for,” Brock and Loeffler said. “When we learned we needed to find a new home court, we turned a challenge into an opportunity, and are thrilled to showcase the Atlanta Dream in College Park @ Gateway Center where the growth of the city is evident. We’re excited to offer our fans a professional basketball experience in a state-of-the-art setting.”
Gateway Center Arena, a new 100,000-square-foot arena, is set to open on Friday, October 26, with first events scheduled for November. The arena will seat 3,500 and expandable up to 5,000 for concerts. The venue, operated by the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC), will also host the College Park Skyhawks, as well as concerts, conventions and more.
Located minutes from downtown Atlanta and a quarter-mile from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Gateway Center Arena will be easily accessible via the free ATL SkyTrain, the highway or MARTA. The ATL SkyTrain travels just 2 minutes along a 1.6-mile elevated guideway from the airport terminal to the Gateway Center and GICC.
Atlanta Dream unveiled its new brand today, marking the first change in the brand’s identity since the team’s inception in 2008. Co-owners Mary Brock and Kelly Loeffler announced the changes at a press conference held at the Dream’s new arena, the Gateway Center Arena @ College Park.
“The WNBA Atlanta Dream has long been at the forefront of expanding the platform for women’s sports,” Brock and Loeffler said. “With the majority of consumers having an interest in women’s sports, but only 5% of sports media coverage, we are working to ensure we highlight the relevance of the Atlanta Dream with a modern brand. Coupled with the agenda of promoting diversity and inclusion, we felt it was time to update our brand platform to highlight the opportunity to demonstrate support for women consumers and athletes.”
The exciting new primary logo is composed of a combination of icons that relate directly to Atlanta and its history. The rising phoenix symbolizes the city’s rise from the ashes of the Civil War to become a world city. The shooting star ties the Dream back to its roots and is prominent within the formal logo. Finally, the basketball represents the game we pour everything we have into each day. All of these elements, which come together in a badge, will create a commitment to a winning team in an unparalleled city.
The Atlanta Dream will tip-off their 13th season in the WNBA in May 2020. Atlanta holds the No. 4 pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft. The organization, which will play its home games at the Gateway Center Arena at College Park, has qualified for the WNBA Playoffs in nine of its first 12 seasons. The Dream will begin taking deposits for the 2020 season on Wednesday, October 23 at 10 a.m., with early purchase discounts and a free hat with each ticket purchased.