WNBA’s Atlanta Dream Announce 2024 Season Schedule
Partnering with local HBCU Clark Atlanta, the CAU University Band and Atlanta Drum Academy, the Dream’s 20-game home schedule release is LIVE.
ATLANTA, Ga. (Dec. 18, 2023) – The WNBA unveiled the highly anticipated 2024 schedule today, with the Atlanta Dream set to begin their 2024 season on May 15th.
The Dream will start their 17th season beginning with a two-game West Coast road trip starting in Los Angeles and finishing with Phoenix on May 18th.
Atlanta’s home opener at Gateway Arena will take place on May 21st against the Dallas Wings. In 2023, the Dream led the league with 12 sellouts, a testament to Atlanta fans creating an atmosphere unlike any other in the WNBA, or in the city of Atlanta.
The Dream will face the WNBA Champion Las Vegas Aces for a primetime showdown at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 31st, and will face the winner of the 2023 Commissioners Cup and last year’s championship runner-up the New York Liberty on June 6th at Gateway Center Arena.
This year is a unique one as the 2024 WNBA season will pause for the Olympic Games in Paris from July 26th to August 11th. Prior to the hiatus, the Dream will take on the Minnesota Lynx in Minneapolis on July 17th. Immediately following the break, the Dream will host a 5-game home stand starting with the Seattle Storm on August 16th.
In their third year together leading the Dream, Head Coach Tanisha Wright and EVP and General Manager Daniel Padover share a singular vision to bring a WNBA Championship to Atlanta.
“We can’t wait for the upcoming 2024 season to get another chance to play in front of these great fans in Atlanta,” said Wright. “While our team made great strides last season, we look forward to another exciting year with our young core as we take the necessary steps forward in becoming a championship contender. Our goal is to ensure they bring that same level of playoff intensity to the regular season.”
Following the Dream’s 2023 postseason berth, their first in five years, the team’s young core led by Rhyne Howard is poised to take the next step in their pursuit of championship contention.
Last year Dream had their best season in five years, finishing fifth and returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2018. Atlanta made franchise history in 2023 as the trio of Howard, Allisha Gray and Cheyenne Parker proudly represented the Dream at the All-Star game in Las Vegas — an incredible achievement signaling the team’s ascent under new ownership.
2024 ATLANTA DREAM SCHEDULE RELEASE VIDEO
In true Atlanta spirit, the Dream partnered with local HBCU Clark Atlanta University and the Atlanta Drum Academy to announce the Dream’s 2024 schedule. The setting of the video took place at CAU’s Panther stadium, highlights the school’s drumline and Essence Dance Team, both standout units of the multifaceted Clark Atlanta University band program. 2023 WNBA All-Stars, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray, in addition to Dream partner and vice president, Renee Montgomery, are also featured as they reveal the team’s home schedule for the 2024 season.
Clark Atlanta University is a staple in the Atlanta community and has been since its founding in 1988. The university’s historical significance lies not only in its academic contributions but also in its role as a beacon of empowerment for African Americans, providing access to education and opportunities for advancement during times of deep racial segregation and inequality. Today, CAU stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of the Black community in pursuing education and social progress. This video aims to shine light on the talent of the HBCU’s musical prowess, giving homage to the influence of HBCUs on Atlanta’s culture. CAU’s band was also featured during halftime of the Dream’s 2023 HBCU game.
Dr. Markesha McWilliam Henderson is the Executive Director of Sports Strategic Development at Clark Atlanta University and has been attending Dream games for the past 10 years. “Combining my passion for the WNBA and HBCUs is literally a dream Job,” said Henderson. “The Atlanta Dream and Clark Atlanta University have many shared values around service and equity and both institutions represent Atlanta culture. Innovative community collaborations at the intersection of higher education and professional sports allow us to expand our reach and amplify our voices.”
The Atlanta Drum Academy, a frequent performance group at Atlanta Dream games throughout the 2022 and 2023 seasons, brings together kids and adults alike that share a passion for drumming. Executive Director James Riles III attended Morris Brown College where he composed a lot of their new-aged Drumline material and was also a composer and performer for the hit movies “Drumline” and “Drumline 2: A New Beat.” For him, and his two sons who are also co-owners, Atlanta Drum Academy was formed from his love to not only play but reach other kids and adults like who have the same passion that he does. The Drum Academy was showcased during the summer on the most recent season of America’s Got Talent, where they received the golden buzzer and earned a trip to the live finale in Los Angeles.
WNBA series ”More Than a Fan” featuring Markesha McWilliams Henderson
ABOUT THE ATLANTA DREAM
The Atlanta Dream is a professional women’s basketball team based in Atlanta, Ga. that strives to build a place where our team, our fans and our city come together to represent the community we seek to serve. We celebrate diversity, represent Atlanta, reward innovation and imagination, and aim to empower women both on and off the court. The team currently plays home games at the Gateway Center Arena @ College Park and has qualified for the WNBA Playoffs in nine of its first 16 seasons. To learn more about the Dream and purchase 2024 season tickets, please visit https://dream.wnba.com/tickets/ or call 877-977-7729.
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