How to Watch Dream vs. Valkyries in the WNBA Finals on DIRECTV: Schedule, Channels and Streaming
The Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries open the best-of-seven 2026 WNBA Finals on Saturday, October 17, at 3:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. PT) at Chase Center in San Francisco, and Game 1 is on NBC, which is your local NBC station on DIRECTV. Games 2 and 3 (Monday, October 19, and Thursday, October 22, both at 8 p.m. ET) are on USA Network, DIRECTV channel 242. Every Finals game also streams on Peacock.
Either way, the WNBA gets a first-time champion. The No. 2 seed Valkyries are only in their second season, and they're the first expansion team in league history to reach the Finals that fast. They swept the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 3-0 in the semifinals, closing it out 87-77 in Las Vegas on October 9, and Gabby Williams has led them in scoring in both playoff series. The No. 4 seed Dream are 5-0 this postseason after sweeping the Washington Mystics and the New York Liberty. It's Atlanta's first trip to the Finals since 2013, and the Dream are still looking for their first Finals win (0-9 all-time in Finals games). Angel Reese, the 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, anchors their defense.
Dream vs. Valkyries: WNBA Finals schedule and DIRECTV channels
Here's every game of the series with its TV network and DIRECTV channel, as of October 12, 2026. Golden State has home-court advantage, and the Finals use a 2-2-1-1-1 format.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Home team / site | TV | DIRECTV channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Sat., Oct. 17 | 3:30 p.m. (12:30 p.m. PT) | Valkyries, Chase Center | NBC, Peacock | Local NBC station |
| Game 2 | Mon., Oct. 19 | 8 p.m. (5 p.m. PT) | Valkyries, Chase Center | USA Network, Peacock | 242 |
| Game 3 | Thu., Oct. 22 | 8 p.m. | Dream, Atlanta area (venue not final) | USA Network, Peacock | 242 |
| Game 4 | Sat., Oct. 24 | 3:30 p.m. | Dream, Atlanta area (venue not final) | NBC, Peacock | Local NBC station |
| Game 5* | Mon., Oct. 26 | 8 p.m. | Valkyries, Chase Center | USA Network, Peacock | 242 |
| Game 6* | Thu., Oct. 29 | 8 p.m. | Dream, Atlanta area (venue not final) | USA Network, Peacock | 242 |
| Game 7* | Sat., Oct. 31 | 8 p.m. | Valkyries, Chase Center | USA Network, Peacock | 242 |
*If necessary. Dates, times and networks match the schedules posted by the Valkyries, the Dream and NBC Sports, checked October 12, 2026.
Where will the Atlanta games be played?
That's still being worked out. The Dream announced on October 6 that they'll play all of their home games at State Farm Arena starting next season, but State Farm is booked on the dates of Games 3, 4 and 6 for a concert and two Atlanta Hawks games. USA TODAY Sports reported on October 11 (updated October 12) that, barring a change, those games will be at the Dream's current home, Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia, which seats 3,500 for basketball. The Valkyries play all of their home games at Chase Center. None of this changes the TV plan: the network and DIRECTV channel for each game stay the same wherever it's played.
How to watch the WNBA Finals on DIRECTV, by option
| How you watch | Finals games | Where to find it | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBC on DIRECTV | Games 1 and 4 | Your local NBC station (number varies by market) | A DIRECTV package with local channels, where available |
| USA Network on DIRECTV | Games 2, 3, 5*, 6* and 7* | Channel 242 | ENTERTAINMENT, CHOICE, ULTIMATE or PREMIER |
| DIRECTV app | Whatever's in your package | Same channels, live on your phone, tablet or streaming device | Your DIRECTV login |
| Peacock | All seven games | Peacock app (USA's coverage is simulstreamed for Games 2, 3 and 5-7) | A Peacock subscription, billed separately from DIRECTV |
NBC games (Games 1 and 4)
NBC is a local broadcast channel, so on DIRECTV it's your area's NBC affiliate, and the channel number depends on where you live. Press "Guide" and search for NBC, or see what channel NBC is in your area. If you dropped locals from your package, here's how to add local channels back on DIRECTV.
USA Network games (Games 2, 3 and 5 through 7)
USA Network is channel 242 on DIRECTV, the same number nationwide. It's included with ENTERTAINMENT and every higher package. Our USA Network on DIRECTV guide has more, and you can compare tiers in the DIRECTV package channel comparison. Five of the seven possible Finals games are on USA, so check that you have it before Game 2 on October 19.
Peacock
Peacock streams every Finals game. It carries NBC's Games 1 and 4 and simulstreams USA Network's coverage of the rest. Peacock is its own subscription and isn't part of a DIRECTV package.
Not sure your package has USA Network or your local NBC station? Call American TV at 1-855-690-9884 and we'll check what's available at your address.
How the Dream and Valkyries got here
| Round | Atlanta Dream (No. 4 seed) | Golden State Valkyries (No. 2 seed) |
|---|---|---|
| First round (best of 3) | Beat No. 5 Washington 2-0 (92-77, 93-75) | Beat No. 7 Dallas 2-1 (won Games 1 and 3, 77-73 in Game 3) |
| Semifinals (best of 5) | Beat No. 8 New York 3-0 (92-82, 101-98 OT, 85-83) | Beat No. 3 Las Vegas 3-0 (71-60, 83-81, 87-77) |
| Playoff record | 5-0 | 5-1 |
Our semifinal guides, Liberty vs. Dream and Aces vs. Valkyries, cover those series, and the 2026 WNBA playoffs guide covers the full bracket.
Frequently asked questions
What channel is Dream vs. Valkyries on DIRECTV?
Games 1 and 4 are on NBC, which is your local NBC station on DIRECTV. Games 2 and 3, and Games 5, 6 and 7 if needed, are on USA Network, DIRECTV channel 242. USA Network comes with ENTERTAINMENT and every higher DIRECTV package.
What time does Game 1 of the WNBA Finals start?
Game 1 tips off Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. PT) at Chase Center in San Francisco, on NBC and Peacock.
Can I stream the WNBA Finals?
Yes. Every Finals game streams on Peacock, which is a separate subscription from DIRECTV. Peacock carries NBC's Games 1 and 4 and simulstreams USA Network's coverage of Games 2, 3 and 5 through 7. You can also watch USA Network, and your local NBC station where available, in the DIRECTV app with your DIRECTV login.
Where will the Dream play their WNBA Finals home games?
As of October 12, 2026, it isn't final. USA TODAY Sports reported that, barring a change, Games 3, 4 and 6 will be at the Dream's home court, Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia, because State Farm Arena is booked on those dates. The TV channels don't change with the venue.
How did the Dream and Valkyries reach the Finals?
Both swept their semifinals. The No. 4 Dream beat the Washington Mystics 2-0 and the New York Liberty 3-0. The No. 2 Valkyries beat the Dallas Wings 2-1 and swept the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 3-0.
More WNBA on DIRECTV: 2026 WNBA playoffs and Dream vs. Mystics. Questions about your DIRECTV package? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 12, 2026. Game times, networks and venues are set by the WNBA, its teams and its TV partners and may change. The Atlanta venue for Games 3, 4 and 6 had not been finalized as of this update. Channel lineups, package contents, local-channel availability and streaming rights vary by address and may change. WNBA, Atlanta Dream, Golden State Valkyries, NBC, USA Network, Peacock, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.