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Arts & Culture

Valkyries Fans’ Most Creative Fits at Game 2 of the WNBA Finals

San Francisco’s Chase Center was a sea of sequins, feathers and all things purple on Monday night.
Estefany Gonzalez
Sammy Gutierrez, 37, poses for a portrait with his puppets “N” and “B,” which stand for nonbinary, outside of the Chase Center in San Francisco during Game 2 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)

Before the Golden State Valkyries faced off against the Atlanta Dream during Game 2 of WNBA Finals Monday night, the players set the tone with their tunnel fits. Gabby Williams arrived in a cool, casual 49ers jersey and sunglasses, and Angel Reese looked glamorous and polished in a black high-neck gown and kitten heels.

The fans at Ballhalla showed out, too. Photographer Estefany Gonzalez captured their sparkliest and most creative looks as they filed into the Chase Center, where the Dream beat the Valks, tying the series at 1-1. The teams will meet again at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena on Oct. 21.

Gioia Garner, 53, dresses in all purple outside of the Chase Center in San Francisco during Game 2 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. Garner spent her Christmas fund on tickets for the game and said her friends can expect cards this year. “Our ladies are kicking ass and taking names so why wouldn’t we give them our money?” Garner said. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)
Details from Gioia Garner’s look. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)
Brittney Elena, 37, holds her dog, Diva, 16, outside of the Chase Center in San Francisco during Game 2 of the WNBA Finals on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. Elena is originally from the Bay Area and travels from Los Angeles for home games as a season ticket holder. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)
Diva the dog shows off her Valkyries T-shirt.  (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)
Elias Guting, 30, wears a custom outfit he designed at Game 2 of the WNBA Finals on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. Guting’s clothing brand Nostalgic Attitude has been worn by players themselves. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)
Sam Akpan, 43, poses for a portrait outside of the Chase Center in San Francisco on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. Akpan was one of the many people watching the game outside of the Chase Center. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)
Jessica Foung, 43, holds a stack of purple bracelets outside of the Chase Center in San Francisco on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)
Tina C., 46, wears a sequence purple suit outside of the Chase Center in San Francisco on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. “I didn’t really think that myself was a sports fan, but I didn’t really have a women’s team that I could root for. So, you know, having a big women’s team in the Bay really converted me,” Tina C. said. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)
Tina C. spent more than a week hand gluing feathers to the back of their blazer for the special occasion. “This team, it sparkles. So I needed to have something that matched the team’s vibe, you know? I’m violet’s gay cousin with the black feathers,” they said. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)
Lianne Leong, who goes by “the golden Valkyrie,” wears a custom made golden outfit outside of the Chase Center in San Francisco. Leong has made Anime, Star Wars, KPop Demon Hunters, and various other cosplay costumes over the past ten years and decided to use her skills to make a Valkyrie costume after moving back to the Bay Area in January. “Valkyries were going crazy. So I just thought, well, duh, I should just make a costume. Obviously,” Leong said. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)
Tiffany Mease, 40, wears purple fur in honor of the Golden State Valkyries outside of the Chase Center in San Francisco on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. “It took four hours on a glue gun believe it or not,” Mease said. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)
Jeph Lee, 53, wears a thrifted purple coat outside of the Chase Center in San Francisco on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)
Monica Blakely, left, poses for a portrait with Angelique Muñoz, after bumping into each other and realizing they were both sporting the same headband outside of the Chase Center in San Francisco on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)
Fans watch Game 2 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream outside of the Chase Center in San Francisco on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)
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