Hours before the start of Game 6 of the WNBA Finals on Thursday, Babe’s Sports Bar in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood adjusted its operations to accommodate an unexpected early tipoff. The matchup between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries was rescheduled from the original 7 p.m. Central time to 11:30 a.m., prompting Babe’s to open seven hours earlier than usual.

The change in game time was necessitated by a shift in venue. Game 6 was moved from the Dream’s smaller home court, Gateway Center Arena, which seats 3,500, to the larger State Farm Arena, with a capacity of approximately 17,000. The earlier start was required because the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, who primarily occupy State Farm Arena, had a game scheduled at 7 p.m. the same day.

The decision to switch to a matinee game drew criticism from fans nationwide, many of whom expressed frustration with the scheduling disruptions affecting their ability to watch the Finals. Local bar owner Nora McConnell-Johnson, who operates Babe’s Sports Bar, first learned of the change on Monday through a national Slack group of women’s sports bar owners. McConnell-Johnson noted that past WNBA Finals games have been among her establishment’s top sales days, and the revised schedule, which includes several weekend matinees and a Halloween night Game 7, highlighted concerns about revenue losses.

Despite the challenges, Babe’s staff and management quickly adapted, with employees volunteering for early shifts and a street team setting up grills to serve food to patrons. The bar opened promptly at 9 a.m., filling rapidly with fans and remote workers eager to watch the game. Supporters included longtime WNBA followers and even individuals less familiar with the sport who wanted to back the local business. Social media outreach, including a widely shared Instagram post, helped drive turnout.

The early tipoff was met with mixed reactions inside the bar. While fans like Lauren Simington voiced disappointment with the timing, many remained committed to watching the game regardless. Some attendees voiced broader frustrations with what they perceive as recurring inequities in women’s sports, pointing to the league’s ongoing struggles with venue accessibility and broadcast support.

Suggestions from fans to resolve scheduling conflicts included moving Game 6 to a different date or venue, such as Mercedes-Benz Stadium, or rescheduling the Hawks’ NBA game. However, league officials cited logistical constraints tied to the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, which restricts back-to-back day-night games, limiting the feasibility of earlier or later scheduling for the Hawks.

Despite the controversy, the Dream sold out the larger arena, underscoring growing support for the WNBA. Women’s sports bars in Chicago, including Babe’s, Level Sporting Club, and Whiskey Girl Tavern, reported increased traffic during the morning hours, signaling sustained fan engagement.

McConnell-Johnson expressed hope that the event’s success would demonstrate the commercial viability of women’s sports and encourage decision-makers to better accommodate the league’s fans and partners in the future. She described the scheduling adjustment as a missed opportunity and indicative of a broader lack of alignment between league administrators and the expanding market for women’s basketball.

The Dream went on to defeat the Valkyries 80-69, forcing a decisive Game 7 scheduled for Halloween night.