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 13th season, 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 challenge into 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.
“We are fortunate to have great support in Atlanta and a new venue that wants to be our partner,” Dream President and General Manager Chris Sienko said. “Designed to create a professional sports experience for players, fans and sponsors, it will offer a unique and intimate experience for our fans and establish an amazing home-court experience that the athletes will feel on the floor. This will all be supported by modern amenities to build an engaging and exciting community experience for our fans.”
“This partnership with the Dream confirms our validity as a major economic influencer for the Atlanta Metropolitan Area,” GICC Executive Director Mercedes Miller said. “I salute the Atlanta Dream for the foresight to recognize the value of this new relationship. This is a historical moment for the City of College Park and a dream come true for me! We are looking forward to the Dream’s loyal fans making the Gateway Arena @ College Park their new home.”
Designed with the spectator in mind, the facility’s unique layout allows for 360-degree views from any seat, complemented by an exclusive food and beverage partnership with CulinAero by Proof of the Pudding. The award-winning culinary team aims to create a dining experience that is more than just “concession food” with four concourse-level concession stands including Southern Fried, The Hangar, Post Oak BBQ and Tri-Cities Pizza. Select beer and wines will be available at each concession stand, as well as full bar selections at portable bar locations throughout the concourse.
At the convergence of grit and grace, of perseverance and new beginnings.
The Atlanta Dream.
» https://t.co/19NFTjHTZV#OneCityOneDream pic.twitter.com/piI5QcroWM
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) October 18, 2019
The Gateway Center will comprise the arena, the GICC, four full-service hotels and a number of dining options. Fans will be greeted with ample parking right outside the arena doors and free Wi-Fi throughout the arena.
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.
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.
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