There will be a first-time WNBA champion this season.

The No. 2-seeded Golden State Valkyries meet the No. 4 Atlanta Dream in the 2026 WNBA Finals, with both teams looking to claim their respective franchise’s first-ever title.

In a historic feat, the Valkyries have reached the Finals in just their second season as a franchise. After reaching the postseason in their debut campaign, Natalie Nakase‘s squad posted the top defensive rating and net rating in the 2026 regular season while winning 22 of their final 27 games.

Gabby Williams, Veronica Burton and Co. then outlasted the No. 7 Dallas Wings in Round 1 before sweeping five-time MVP A’ja Wilson and the defending champion No. 3 Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals. Williams’ stellar debut season with Golden State has continued into the playoffs, where she’s averaging 22.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.8 steals.

In just their second year in the league, the Golden State Valkyries swept the defending champions, the Aces, in the semifinals, clinching their place in the 2026 Finals against the Atlanta Dream.

The Dream, meanwhile, have posted back-to-back 30-win seasons in their first two years under Karl Smesko. But, after being eliminated in the 2025 first round, Atlanta hasn’t lost a single game this postseason, riding a streak of 10 games unbeaten into the franchise’s first Finals appearance since 2013.

Defensive Player of the Year Angel Reese and the Dream took down the No. 5 Washington Mystics before bouncing the No. 8 New York Liberty. Atlanta got past New York despite being without four-time All-Star Allisha Gray for the final two games of the seminal series due to a hand injury.

Veteran guard Jordin Canada has upped her game this postseason, tying four-time All-Star Rhyne Howard for the team lead in points at 19.2 per game while also averaging 8.8 assists. Canada and Howard are among five Dream players averaging double figures in scoring these playoffs.

The Atlanta Dream, behind a clutch Angel Reese performance, defeated the New York Liberty in overtime to take a 2-0 series lead in the WNBA semifinals.

The Valkyries swept the regular-season series against the Dream, winning two games at home and one on the road. Golden State recorded victories of 77-66 and 78-75 over Atlanta at “Ballhalla” in late June before beating the Dream 88-83 in the most recent meeting July 4.

So, will Golden State go from expansion team to champion in a span of just two seasons? Or will Atlanta’s fourth Finals trip be the one that results in its first title?

Here’s what to know for the Valkyries-Dream WNBA Finals:

Are the WNBA Finals five or seven games?

This will be the second-ever WNBA Finals to be best of seven. The format was changed from five to seven games starting last year.

Who has home-court advantage in the WNBA Finals?

The Valkyries have home court due to being the higher seed. Golden State will host Games 1 and 2, along with the potential Games 5 and 7.

When do the WNBA Finals start?

The Finals tip off Saturday, Oct. 17.

What TV channel are Valkyries vs. Dream WNBA Finals games on?

Valkyries-Dream will air across NBC and USA Network. All games can also be streamed on Peacock.

Where to stream Valkyries vs. Dream WNBA Finals games live online

In addition to Peacock, there are other platforms where the Finals can be streamed. NBC broadcasts can also be seen on NBC.com and the NBC app, while USA Network broadcasts are available to watch on USANetwork.com and the USA Network app.

Valkyries vs. Dream WNBA Finals schedule

Here’s the full Finals broadcast schedule:

Game 1: Dream at Valkyries — Saturday, Oct. 17, 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT, NBC and Peacock

Game 2: Dream at Valkyries — Monday, Oct. 19, 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, Peacock and USA Network

Game 3: Valkyries at Dream — Thursday, Oct. 22, 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, Peacock and USA Network

Game 4: Valkyries at Dream — Saturday, Oct. 24, 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT, NBC and Peacock

Game 5 (if necessary): Dream at Valkyries — Monday, Oct. 26, 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, Peacock and USA Network

Game 6 (if necessary): Valkyries at Dream — Thursday, Oct. 29, 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, Peacock and USA Network

Game 7 (if necessary): Dream at Valkyries — Saturday, Oct. 31, 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, Peacock and USA Network

Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase speaks to reporters after Golden State’s 87-77 OT win and semifinal sweep of the Las Vegas Aces on Friday.