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"content": "\n\u003cp>In the two years since the A’s left Oakland for West Sacramento, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/oakland-coliseum\">Coliseum\u003c/a> hasn’t been empty. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Major League Cricket held its \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091405/oakland-coliseum-welcomes-bay-area-fans-for-major-league-cricket-final\">championship round\u003c/a> there this summer, and the Oakland Roots will close out their season there on Saturday, Oct. 10. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The stadium has been jointly owned and operated by the city of Oakland and Alameda County since it opened on Sept. 18, 1966 — but they’re now in the final stages of a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12090665/oakland-approves-125-million-coliseum-sale-clearing-way-for-irving-azoff-overhaul\">$125 million deal\u003c/a> to sell it to private developers. The Oakland Acquisition Company, an affiliate of the African American Sports and Entertainment Group, has ambitious plans to remake the site and revitalize East Oakland with housing, entertainment and commercial space.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Over the past six decades, the Oakland Coliseum has hosted major moments in sports, music, and civic life. The stadium has held crowds of up to 60,000 people at 7000 Coliseum Way and has its own BART and Amtrak stations. Two major movies — \u003cem>Moneyball \u003c/em>and \u003cem>Angels in the Outfield\u003c/em> — were filmed on the field. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It was a community unlike any other in sports,” said Casey Pratt, former sports journalist and current vice president of the Oakland Ballers. He was a baby when he attended his first game at the Coliseum.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In light of the stadium’s 60th birthday, here are six moments that have defined its history: \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dec. 21, 1974\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1319\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-10-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12103190\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-10-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-10-KQED-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-10-KQED-1536x1013.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A dramatic play with 35 seconds left on the clock of the AFC Divisional game between the Oakland Raiders and the Miami Dolphins is now known as the ‘Sea of Hands’ catch. Raiders running back Clarence Davis (28) caught the ball and ran it in for a touchdown at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland on Dec. 21, 1974. The Oakland Raiders won 28-26. (MediaNews Group/Oakland Tribune via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>The Oakland Raiders — the “bad boys” of the National Football League — were the first team to call the Coliseum home. Two years later, in 1968, the A’s relocated from Kansas City and joined them.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One of the greatest moments in NFL history — a game-winning touchdown play known as the \u003ca href=\"https://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-100-greatest-no-17-the-sea-of-hands\">“Sea of Hands”\u003c/a> — happened at the Coliseum in 1974, when the Oakland Raiders beat the Miami Dolphins, which were the two-time defending Super Bowl champions.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Oct. 15, 1981\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>George Henderson, also known as “Krazy George,” is widely credited with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/10608660/the-wave-was-born-in-oakland-and-some-giants-fans-want-it-dead\">invention of “The Wave”\u003c/a> at the Coliseum, during a 1981 playoff game between the Oakland A’s and the New York Yankees.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr />\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://player.vimeo.com/video/134024146?h=60fb3a87da\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" scrolling=\"yes\" class=\"iframe-class\" frameborder=\"0\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Tonight is the perfect example of what the Oakland Coliseum has meant this year: Everybody having a great time,” A’s broadcaster Bill King said during the game telecast.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">May 27, 1989\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Coliseum may have been billed as an all-purpose sports complex, but its spacious dimensions and easy access by public transit or car also made it a natural choice for concerts.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In 1973, Bill Graham began staging rock concerts, called Day on the Green, during weekend afternoons with all-star lineups at the Coliseum. Corry Arnold, who chronicles late 20th-century Bay Area music history, said that for a lot of people, this event was their first rock concert.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Pp4YsXyZns&t=39s\n\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“You didn’t have to be special or know when tickets went on sale or know somebody or something. There were no reserved seats. You’d bump into half your high school,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Over 20 years, Graham and other presenters brought acts, including the Rolling Stones, The Who, Dolly Parton and Black Sabbath to play on the field. Local heroes, such as John Fogerty, appeared at a May 1989 show that benefited AIDS research with members of the Grateful Dead as his backup band. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The East Bay’s biggest rock star in center field of the Oakland Coliseum singing ‘Centerfield’ — it’s a big deal,” Arnold said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">June 30, 1990\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One of the largest crowds in Coliseum history — around 60,000 people — packed the place in 1990 to see \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/101013/do-not-post-nelson-mandela\">Nelson Mandela\u003c/a>, who had just been released after 27 years as a political prisoner in South Africa. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1272\" height=\"800\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-4-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12103184\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-4-KQED.jpg 1272w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-4-KQED-160x101.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1272px) 100vw, 1272px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Nelson Mandela stopped at the Oakland Coliseum during his trip to the United States, where he visited eight cities after being released from prison. (Reginald Pearman/MediaNews Group/Oakland Tribune via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUcvjm9D2M4\">He toured various cities in the U.S.\u003c/a> to thank the many Americans who had helped push for his release and for an end to apartheid.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We had people in all the seats, but also on the playing field,” said Sandre Swanson, an aide to then-Congressman Ron Dellums. “The churches played a big role in filling up a lot of those seats, as well as labor unions [and] community-based organizations.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">May 9, 2010\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Two of Major League Baseball’s 24 perfect games were hurled by A’s pitchers at the Coliseum: Catfish Hunter on May 8, 1968, and Dallas Braden on May 9, 2010. Braden, a native of Stockton, is now one of the A’s broadcasters. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Casey Pratt attended one of those perfect games. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-2-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12103182\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-2-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-2-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-2-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dallas Braden of the Oakland Athletics celebrates his perfect game with his grandmother Peggy Lindsey after the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Oakland Athletics on Sunday, May 9, 2010, at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland. Dallas Braden pitched the 19th perfect game in Major League Baseball history. The Athletics defeated the Rays 4-0. (Brad Mangin/MLB via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>“In the third inning, I noticed that Dallas Braden had a perfect game going,” he said. “And a few seats down from me, this lady was also noticing it and just going crazy. And then, come the ninth inning, he completes the perfect game, and she jumps up and runs down, gets pulled down on the field, and embraces Dallas as he runs off the mound.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He realized that the woman was Peggy Lindsay, Braden’s grandma.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Feb. 10, 2021 \u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Coliseum closed to the public in 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic hit and reopened in February 2021 as a mass \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11860650/new-federal-state-mass-vaccination-site-opens-at-oakland-coliseum\">vaccination site.\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1202\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-6-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12103186\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-6-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-6-KQED-160x96.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-6-KQED-1536x923.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A Cal Fire employee, center, vaccinates a woman, right, at the Oakland Arena/RingCentral Coliseum COVID-19 community vaccination site in Oakland on Feb. 16, 2021. (Aric Crabb/MediaNews Group/East Bay Times via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>It was jointly operated by FEMA and the California Department of Emergency Services and served as a model for similar efforts around the country. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In tents and trailers in the parking lot, health care workers dispensed up to 6,000 vaccinations a day. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>By April, the majority of Alameda County residents had been vaccinated, and the A’s opened the season with fans in the stands — as long as they were masked and observed social distancing.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In light of the stadium’s 60th birthday, here are six moments that have defined its history: \u003c/p>\n",
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"text": "Dec. 21, 1974",
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-10-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-10-KQED-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-10-KQED-1536x1013.jpg 1536w",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-10-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12103190\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-10-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-10-KQED-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-10-KQED-1536x1013.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A dramatic play with 35 seconds left on the clock of the AFC Divisional game between the Oakland Raiders and the Miami Dolphins is now known as the ‘Sea of Hands’ catch. Raiders running back Clarence Davis (28) caught the ball and ran it in for a touchdown at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland on Dec. 21, 1974. The Oakland Raiders won 28-26.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (MediaNews Group/Oakland Tribune via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-10-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12103190\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A dramatic play with 35 seconds left on the clock of the AFC Divisional game between the Oakland Raiders and the Miami Dolphins is now known as the ‘Sea of Hands’ catch. Raiders running back Clarence Davis (28) caught the ball and ran it in for a touchdown at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland on Dec. 21, 1974. The Oakland Raiders won 28-26.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (MediaNews Group/Oakland Tribune via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Oakland Raiders — the “bad boys” of the National Football League — were the first team to call the Coliseum home. Two years later, in 1968, the A’s relocated from Kansas City and joined them.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The Oakland Raiders — the “bad boys” of the National Football League — were the first team to call the Coliseum home. Two years later, in 1968, the A’s relocated from Kansas City and joined them.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>One of the greatest moments in NFL history — a game-winning touchdown play known as the \u003ca href=\"https://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-100-greatest-no-17-the-sea-of-hands\">“Sea of Hands”\u003c/a> — happened at the Coliseum in 1974, when the Oakland Raiders beat the Miami Dolphins, which were the two-time defending Super Bowl champions.\u003c/p>\n",
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"text": "Oct. 15, 1981",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>George Henderson, also known as “Krazy George,” is widely credited with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/10608660/the-wave-was-born-in-oakland-and-some-giants-fans-want-it-dead\">invention of “The Wave”\u003c/a> at the Coliseum, during a 1981 playoff game between the Oakland A’s and the New York Yankees.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>George Henderson, also known as “Krazy George,” is widely credited with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/10608660/the-wave-was-born-in-oakland-and-some-giants-fans-want-it-dead\">invention of “The Wave”\u003c/a> at the Coliseum, during a 1981 playoff game between the Oakland A’s and the New York Yankees.\u003c/p>\n"
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"src": "https://player.vimeo.com/video/134024146?h=60fb3a87da",
"width": "800",
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"innerHTML": "\n[iframe src=\"https://player.vimeo.com/video/134024146?h=60fb3a87da\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\"]\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Tonight is the perfect example of what the Oakland Coliseum has meant this year: Everybody having a great time,” A’s broadcaster Bill King said during the game telecast.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Tonight is the perfect example of what the Oakland Coliseum has meant this year: Everybody having a great time,” A’s broadcaster Bill King said during the game telecast.\u003c/p>\n"
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"attrs": {
"text": "May 27, 1989",
"level": 2
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">May 27, 1989\u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Coliseum may have been billed as an all-purpose sports complex, but its spacious dimensions and easy access by public transit or car also made it a natural choice for concerts.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In 1973, Bill Graham began staging rock concerts, called Day on the Green, during weekend afternoons with all-star lineups at the Coliseum. Corry Arnold, who chronicles late 20th-century Bay Area music history, said that for a lot of people, this event was their first rock concert.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>In 1973, Bill Graham began staging rock concerts, called Day on the Green, during weekend afternoons with all-star lineups at the Coliseum. Corry Arnold, who chronicles late 20th-century Bay Area music history, said that for a lot of people, this event was their first rock concert.\u003c/p>\n"
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"url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Pp4YsXyZns&t=39s",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Pp4YsXyZns&t=39s\n\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Pp4YsXyZns&t=39s\n\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“You didn’t have to be special or know when tickets went on sale or know somebody or something. There were no reserved seats. You’d bump into half your high school,” he said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“You didn’t have to be special or know when tickets went on sale or know somebody or something. There were no reserved seats. You’d bump into half your high school,” he said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Over 20 years, Graham and other presenters brought acts, including the Rolling Stones, The Who, Dolly Parton and Black Sabbath to play on the field. Local heroes, such as John Fogerty, appeared at a May 1989 show that benefited AIDS research with members of the Grateful Dead as his backup band. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Over 20 years, Graham and other presenters brought acts, including the Rolling Stones, The Who, Dolly Parton and Black Sabbath to play on the field. Local heroes, such as John Fogerty, appeared at a May 1989 show that benefited AIDS research with members of the Grateful Dead as his backup band. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The East Bay’s biggest rock star in center field of the Oakland Coliseum singing ‘Centerfield’ — it’s a big deal,” Arnold said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"text": "June 30, 1990",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>One of the largest crowds in Coliseum history — around 60,000 people — packed the place in 1990 to see \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/101013/do-not-post-nelson-mandela\">Nelson Mandela\u003c/a>, who had just been released after 27 years as a political prisoner in South Africa. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>One of the largest crowds in Coliseum history — around 60,000 people — packed the place in 1990 to see \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/101013/do-not-post-nelson-mandela\">Nelson Mandela\u003c/a>, who had just been released after 27 years as a political prisoner in South Africa. \u003c/p>\n"
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-4-KQED.jpg 1272w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-4-KQED-160x101.jpg 160w",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-4-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12103184\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-4-KQED.jpg 1272w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-4-KQED-160x101.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Nelson Mandela stopped at the Oakland Coliseum during his trip to the United States, where he visited eight cities after being released from prison.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Reginald Pearman/MediaNews Group/Oakland Tribune via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-4-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12103184\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Nelson Mandela stopped at the Oakland Coliseum during his trip to the United States, where he visited eight cities after being released from prison.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Reginald Pearman/MediaNews Group/Oakland Tribune via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUcvjm9D2M4\">He toured various cities in the U.S.\u003c/a> to thank the many Americans who had helped push for his release and for an end to apartheid.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUcvjm9D2M4\">He toured various cities in the U.S.\u003c/a> to thank the many Americans who had helped push for his release and for an end to apartheid.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We had people in all the seats, but also on the playing field,” said Sandre Swanson, an aide to then-Congressman Ron Dellums. “The churches played a big role in filling up a lot of those seats, as well as labor unions [and] community-based organizations.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“We had people in all the seats, but also on the playing field,” said Sandre Swanson, an aide to then-Congressman Ron Dellums. “The churches played a big role in filling up a lot of those seats, as well as labor unions [and] community-based organizations.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "May 9, 2010",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">May 9, 2010\u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Two of Major League Baseball’s 24 perfect games were hurled by A’s pitchers at the Coliseum: Catfish Hunter on May 8, 1968, and Dallas Braden on May 9, 2010. Braden, a native of Stockton, is now one of the A’s broadcasters. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Two of Major League Baseball’s 24 perfect games were hurled by A’s pitchers at the Coliseum: Catfish Hunter on May 8, 1968, and Dallas Braden on May 9, 2010. Braden, a native of Stockton, is now one of the A’s broadcasters. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Casey Pratt attended one of those perfect games. \u003c/p>\n",
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-2-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-2-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-2-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-2-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12103182\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-2-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-2-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-2-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dallas Braden of the Oakland Athletics celebrates his perfect game with his grandmother Peggy Lindsey after the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Oakland Athletics on Sunday, May 9, 2010, at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland. Dallas Braden pitched the 19th perfect game in Major League Baseball history. The Athletics defeated the Rays 4-0.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Brad Mangin/MLB via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-2-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12103182\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dallas Braden of the Oakland Athletics celebrates his perfect game with his grandmother Peggy Lindsey after the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Oakland Athletics on Sunday, May 9, 2010, at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland. Dallas Braden pitched the 19th perfect game in Major League Baseball history. The Athletics defeated the Rays 4-0.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Brad Mangin/MLB via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“In the third inning, I noticed that Dallas Braden had a perfect game going,” he said. “And a few seats down from me, this lady was also noticing it and just going crazy. And then, come the ninth inning, he completes the perfect game, and she jumps up and runs down, gets pulled down on the field, and embraces Dallas as he runs off the mound.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>He realized that the woman was Peggy Lindsay, Braden’s grandma.\u003c/p>\n",
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"text": "Feb. 10, 2021",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Feb. 10, 2021 \u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Coliseum closed to the public in 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic hit and reopened in February 2021 as a mass \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11860650/new-federal-state-mass-vaccination-site-opens-at-oakland-coliseum\">vaccination site.\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The Coliseum closed to the public in 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic hit and reopened in February 2021 as a mass \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11860650/new-federal-state-mass-vaccination-site-opens-at-oakland-coliseum\">vaccination site.\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-6-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12103186\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-6-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-6-KQED-160x96.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-6-KQED-1536x923.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A Cal Fire employee, center, vaccinates a woman, right, at the Oakland Arena/RingCentral Coliseum COVID-19 community vaccination site in Oakland on Feb. 16, 2021. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Aric Crabb/MediaNews Group/East Bay Times via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In tents and trailers in the parking lot, health care workers dispensed up to 6,000 vaccinations a day. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>By April, the majority of Alameda County residents had been vaccinated, and the A’s opened the season with fans in the stands — as long as they were masked and observed social distancing.\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "The stadium, which opened in 1966, faces a turning point — its historical significance goes beyond sports.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>In the two years since the A’s left Oakland for West Sacramento, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/oakland-coliseum\">Coliseum\u003c/a> hasn’t been empty. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Major League Cricket held its \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091405/oakland-coliseum-welcomes-bay-area-fans-for-major-league-cricket-final\">championship round\u003c/a> there this summer, and the Oakland Roots will close out their season there on Saturday, Oct. 10. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The stadium has been jointly owned and operated by the city of Oakland and Alameda County since it opened on Sept. 18, 1966 — but they’re now in the final stages of a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12090665/oakland-approves-125-million-coliseum-sale-clearing-way-for-irving-azoff-overhaul\">$125 million deal\u003c/a> to sell it to private developers. The Oakland Acquisition Company, an affiliate of the African American Sports and Entertainment Group, has ambitious plans to remake the site and revitalize East Oakland with housing, entertainment and commercial space.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Over the past six decades, the Oakland Coliseum has hosted major moments in sports, music, and civic life. The stadium has held crowds of up to 60,000 people at 7000 Coliseum Way and has its own BART and Amtrak stations. Two major movies — \u003cem>Moneyball \u003c/em>and \u003cem>Angels in the Outfield\u003c/em> — were filmed on the field. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It was a community unlike any other in sports,” said Casey Pratt, former sports journalist and current vice president of the Oakland Ballers. He was a baby when he attended his first game at the Coliseum.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In light of the stadium’s 60th birthday, here are six moments that have defined its history: \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dec. 21, 1974\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1319\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-10-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12103190\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-10-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-10-KQED-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-10-KQED-1536x1013.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A dramatic play with 35 seconds left on the clock of the AFC Divisional game between the Oakland Raiders and the Miami Dolphins is now known as the ‘Sea of Hands’ catch. Raiders running back Clarence Davis (28) caught the ball and ran it in for a touchdown at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland on Dec. 21, 1974. The Oakland Raiders won 28-26. (MediaNews Group/Oakland Tribune via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>The Oakland Raiders — the “bad boys” of the National Football League — were the first team to call the Coliseum home. Two years later, in 1968, the A’s relocated from Kansas City and joined them.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One of the greatest moments in NFL history — a game-winning touchdown play known as the \u003ca href=\"https://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-100-greatest-no-17-the-sea-of-hands\">“Sea of Hands”\u003c/a> — happened at the Coliseum in 1974, when the Oakland Raiders beat the Miami Dolphins, which were the two-time defending Super Bowl champions.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Oct. 15, 1981\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>George Henderson, also known as “Krazy George,” is widely credited with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/10608660/the-wave-was-born-in-oakland-and-some-giants-fans-want-it-dead\">invention of “The Wave”\u003c/a> at the Coliseum, during a 1981 playoff game between the Oakland A’s and the New York Yankees.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr />\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://player.vimeo.com/video/134024146?h=60fb3a87da\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" scrolling=\"yes\" class=\"iframe-class\" frameborder=\"0\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Tonight is the perfect example of what the Oakland Coliseum has meant this year: Everybody having a great time,” A’s broadcaster Bill King said during the game telecast.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">May 27, 1989\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Coliseum may have been billed as an all-purpose sports complex, but its spacious dimensions and easy access by public transit or car also made it a natural choice for concerts.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In 1973, Bill Graham began staging rock concerts, called Day on the Green, during weekend afternoons with all-star lineups at the Coliseum. Corry Arnold, who chronicles late 20th-century Bay Area music history, said that for a lot of people, this event was their first rock concert.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutube'>\n \u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutubeInside'>\n \u003ciframe\n loading='lazy'\n class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__youtubePlayer'\n type='text/html'\n src='//www.youtube.com/embed/0Pp4YsXyZns'\n title='//www.youtube.com/embed/0Pp4YsXyZns'\n allowfullscreen='true'\n style='border:0;'>\u003c/iframe>\n \u003c/span>\n \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“You didn’t have to be special or know when tickets went on sale or know somebody or something. There were no reserved seats. You’d bump into half your high school,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Over 20 years, Graham and other presenters brought acts, including the Rolling Stones, The Who, Dolly Parton and Black Sabbath to play on the field. Local heroes, such as John Fogerty, appeared at a May 1989 show that benefited AIDS research with members of the Grateful Dead as his backup band. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The East Bay’s biggest rock star in center field of the Oakland Coliseum singing ‘Centerfield’ — it’s a big deal,” Arnold said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">June 30, 1990\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One of the largest crowds in Coliseum history — around 60,000 people — packed the place in 1990 to see \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/101013/do-not-post-nelson-mandela\">Nelson Mandela\u003c/a>, who had just been released after 27 years as a political prisoner in South Africa. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1272\" height=\"800\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-4-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12103184\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-4-KQED.jpg 1272w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-4-KQED-160x101.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1272px) 100vw, 1272px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Nelson Mandela stopped at the Oakland Coliseum during his trip to the United States, where he visited eight cities after being released from prison. (Reginald Pearman/MediaNews Group/Oakland Tribune via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUcvjm9D2M4\">He toured various cities in the U.S.\u003c/a> to thank the many Americans who had helped push for his release and for an end to apartheid.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We had people in all the seats, but also on the playing field,” said Sandre Swanson, an aide to then-Congressman Ron Dellums. “The churches played a big role in filling up a lot of those seats, as well as labor unions [and] community-based organizations.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">May 9, 2010\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Two of Major League Baseball’s 24 perfect games were hurled by A’s pitchers at the Coliseum: Catfish Hunter on May 8, 1968, and Dallas Braden on May 9, 2010. Braden, a native of Stockton, is now one of the A’s broadcasters. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Casey Pratt attended one of those perfect games. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-2-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12103182\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-2-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-2-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-2-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dallas Braden of the Oakland Athletics celebrates his perfect game with his grandmother Peggy Lindsey after the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Oakland Athletics on Sunday, May 9, 2010, at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland. Dallas Braden pitched the 19th perfect game in Major League Baseball history. The Athletics defeated the Rays 4-0. (Brad Mangin/MLB via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>“In the third inning, I noticed that Dallas Braden had a perfect game going,” he said. “And a few seats down from me, this lady was also noticing it and just going crazy. And then, come the ninth inning, he completes the perfect game, and she jumps up and runs down, gets pulled down on the field, and embraces Dallas as he runs off the mound.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He realized that the woman was Peggy Lindsay, Braden’s grandma.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Feb. 10, 2021 \u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Coliseum closed to the public in 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic hit and reopened in February 2021 as a mass \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11860650/new-federal-state-mass-vaccination-site-opens-at-oakland-coliseum\">vaccination site.\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1202\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-6-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12103186\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-6-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-6-KQED-160x96.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/ColiseumGoodbye-6-KQED-1536x923.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A Cal Fire employee, center, vaccinates a woman, right, at the Oakland Arena/RingCentral Coliseum COVID-19 community vaccination site in Oakland on Feb. 16, 2021. (Aric Crabb/MediaNews Group/East Bay Times via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>It was jointly operated by FEMA and the California Department of Emergency Services and served as a model for similar efforts around the country. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In tents and trailers in the parking lot, health care workers dispensed up to 6,000 vaccinations a day. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>By April, the majority of Alameda County residents had been vaccinated, and the A’s opened the season with fans in the stands — as long as they were masked and observed social distancing.\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "cautiously-optimistic-the-latest-on-el-nino-and-tahoes-ski-season",
"title": "‘Cautiously Optimistic’: The Latest on El Niño and Tahoe’s Ski Season",
"publishDate": 1791392958,
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"headTitle": "‘Cautiously Optimistic’: The Latest on El Niño and Tahoe’s Ski Season | KQED",
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"content": "\n\u003cp>Will this ski season be the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096560/el-nino-snow-weather-forecast-sierra-nevada-tahoe-california-ski-pass-winter-2026-2027\">best ever\u003c/a>? Or, with \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12099961/scientists-warn-this-years-el-nino-can-trigger-unprecedented-flooding\">report\u003c/a> after \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12097546/el-nino-could-bring-a-wet-wild-winter-how-can-you-and-your-home-be-ready\">report\u003c/a> of a “super El Niño” that will slam the West Coast with rain and snow, will skiers’ expectations pale in comparison to reality?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The answer, OpenSnow forecaster Bryan Allegretto said, is still far from clear. And for him, a big part of this uncertainty is that “we don’t have much data on strong El Niños.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In fact, there have only really been four winters since 1970 to be considered “strong” El Niños, Allegretto said. Of those, half produced above-average snowfall, including the \u003ca href=\"https://www.skimag.com/ski-resort-life/10-deepest-winters-recent-history/\">1982-83 season\u003c/a>, when total snowfall came in at 170% of average. But the other half produced below-average snowfall. And going back to 1950, he sees four of seven “strong” El Niños resulting in big snow years.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/TahoeSnowGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12077403\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/TahoeSnowGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/TahoeSnowGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/TahoeSnowGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The ski area at Homewood has closed due to poor snow conditions as viewed on April 14, 2021, in Homewood, California. (George Rose/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“So if you were just going to look historically, there’s no clear signal,” he said. “They haven’t been consistent as far as snowfall.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That said, the two years that did overproduce did so … \u003cem>enormously\u003c/em>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If you were to look at the average … it’s like 138% of average snowfall, but that isn’t fair to the years that are below-average,” he said. “Because there’s so much that can happen in the middle of the year that can affect our weather pattern.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#skiing-winter\">What does all this mean for skiing this winter?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#open\">When are Tahoe ski resorts scheduled to open?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That was the case with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2016/01/01/461693346/ski-resorts-see-slight-thaw-after-chilling-effect-of-climate-change\">2015-16 season\u003c/a>, Allegretto said. There was a similar air of hype around El Niño conditions, but ultimately, the winter’s snowfall was just 97% of average, slightly \u003cem>below \u003c/em>a typical year.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So what does today’s forecast mean for ski season? Allegretto breaks it down below.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the El Niño forecast saying today?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>First, Allegretto warned that it takes three consecutive months of higher-than-normal ocean surface temperatures before one can even declare an El Niño — let alone a “strong” or “very strong” El Niño.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So far, he said, water temperatures are about 2.2 degrees above average. The 2015-16 season was 2.3 degrees above the average. If we reach 2.5 degrees above normal, he said, that would be a record. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“At the end of September, it was the warmest the water has been at this point in the fall along the equator where they measure,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/SierraSnow2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12033987\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/SierraSnow2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/SierraSnow2-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/SierraSnow2-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/SierraSnow2-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/SierraSnow2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/SierraSnow2-1920x1440.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sierra snow scene near Lake Tahoe, late December, 2015. (Courtesy Mikee Gildea)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/weather/article/el-nino-rain-california-22465614.php\">Monday’s updated models\u003c/a> showed even more reason to believe it will be an unusually wet winter. But it’s not yet clear if that trend will continue — or what other factors will be in play.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We had a ‘super’ El Niño in 15-16 with below-average snowfall,” he said. “But there were things happening that year in the Atlantic and the Northern Pacific that were messing with the weather pattern. And it was causing most of the storms to go to the north of California and the Pacific Northwest.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>What’s tough to know is whether this season’s El Niño pattern will be the most prevailing, or if other weather systems in January or February will interfere. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In theory, Allegretto said, this year’s El Niño “should be the most dominant factor.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Still, he said he is only “cautiously optimistic.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I think we will see above average snow and rain,” he said. “But am I willing to say that we’re going to get a year like 1982-83?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“No,” he said. “Only very risky people say those kinds of things.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"skiing-winter\">What does all this mean for skiing this winter?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>All in all, Allegretto said he is “pretty excited” for the ski season. After all, as OpenSnow’s expert on California and the Lake Tahoe region, it’s \u003ca href=\"https://opensnow.com/dailysnow/tahoe/post/44538\">his job to update skiers and snowboarders\u003c/a> about the winter weather. This week, he started \u003ca href=\"https://opensnow.com/dailysnow/tahoe\">posting his weekly forecasts\u003c/a> and said that come opening day at ski resorts in November, he will start posting daily.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I just hope the storms stay cold enough, the snow levels stay low, and we don’t end up with a bunch of rain,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Allegretto isn’t the only one hedging. In a \u003ca href=\"https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/atqfkmbd/#Slides_6\">recent earnings call\u003c/a>, Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz told investors that sales of Epic Passes, which give local skiers access to three Lake Tahoe resorts, are 12% down this year. Katz attributed the drop in part to last year’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12077367/tahoe-ski-resorts-closing-dates-2026-heavenly-palisades-homewood-closed-weather-snow-forecast-storms\">disappointing snowfall\u003c/a>, which closed many resorts prematurely. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In general, Allegretto said strong El Niños tend to produce the most snowfall in February and January, calling them “make-or-break months.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Still, he was careful not to overstate the possibility of a banger ski season.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I just don’t hype, even if it looks like it’s going to be a decent year,” Allegretto said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He even warned that too much snow could bring different problems for skiers. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“You don’t want too much snow because then the ski resorts are closed, the highway’s closed,” he said. “I just prefer good storms that are easy to chase.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“You only need shin-deep powder to have fun,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"open\">Those California ski resort opening dates so far:\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Mammoth Mountain: Nov. 13\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Heavenly Ski Resort: Nov. 20\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Northstar California Resort: Nov. 20\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Mount Rose Ski Tahoe: Nov. 20\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Palisades Tahoe: Nov. 25\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Kirkwood Mountain Resort: Dec. 4\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Will this ski season be the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096560/el-nino-snow-weather-forecast-sierra-nevada-tahoe-california-ski-pass-winter-2026-2027\">best ever\u003c/a>? Or, with \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12099961/scientists-warn-this-years-el-nino-can-trigger-unprecedented-flooding\">report\u003c/a> after \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12097546/el-nino-could-bring-a-wet-wild-winter-how-can-you-and-your-home-be-ready\">report\u003c/a> of a “super El Niño” that will slam the West Coast with rain and snow, will skiers’ expectations pale in comparison to reality?\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Will this ski season be the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096560/el-nino-snow-weather-forecast-sierra-nevada-tahoe-california-ski-pass-winter-2026-2027\">best ever\u003c/a>? Or, with \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12099961/scientists-warn-this-years-el-nino-can-trigger-unprecedented-flooding\">report\u003c/a> after \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12097546/el-nino-could-bring-a-wet-wild-winter-how-can-you-and-your-home-be-ready\">report\u003c/a> of a “super El Niño” that will slam the West Coast with rain and snow, will skiers’ expectations pale in comparison to reality?\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The answer, OpenSnow forecaster Bryan Allegretto said, is still far from clear. And for him, a big part of this uncertainty is that “we don’t have much data on strong El Niños.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The answer, OpenSnow forecaster Bryan Allegretto said, is still far from clear. And for him, a big part of this uncertainty is that “we don’t have much data on strong El Niños.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In fact, there have only really been four winters since 1970 to be considered “strong” El Niños, Allegretto said. Of those, half produced above-average snowfall, including the \u003ca href=\"https://www.skimag.com/ski-resort-life/10-deepest-winters-recent-history/\">1982-83 season\u003c/a>, when total snowfall came in at 170% of average. But the other half produced below-average snowfall. And going back to 1950, he sees four of seven “strong” El Niños resulting in big snow years.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In fact, there have only really been four winters since 1970 to be considered “strong” El Niños, Allegretto said. Of those, half produced above-average snowfall, including the \u003ca href=\"https://www.skimag.com/ski-resort-life/10-deepest-winters-recent-history/\">1982-83 season\u003c/a>, when total snowfall came in at 170% of average. But the other half produced below-average snowfall. And going back to 1950, he sees four of seven “strong” El Niños resulting in big snow years.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/TahoeSnowGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12077403\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/TahoeSnowGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/TahoeSnowGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/TahoeSnowGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The ski area at Homewood has closed due to poor snow conditions as viewed on April 14, 2021, in Homewood, California. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (George Rose/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/TahoeSnowGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12077403\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The ski area at Homewood has closed due to poor snow conditions as viewed on April 14, 2021, in Homewood, California. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (George Rose/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“So if you were just going to look historically, there’s no clear signal,” he said. “They haven’t been consistent as far as snowfall.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“So if you were just going to look historically, there’s no clear signal,” he said. “They haven’t been consistent as far as snowfall.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That said, the two years that did overproduce did so … \u003cem>enormously\u003c/em>. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>That said, the two years that did overproduce did so … \u003cem>enormously\u003c/em>. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“If you were to look at the average … it’s like 138% of average snowfall, but that isn’t fair to the years that are below-average,” he said. “Because there’s so much that can happen in the middle of the year that can affect our weather pattern.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“If you were to look at the average … it’s like 138% of average snowfall, but that isn’t fair to the years that are below-average,” he said. “Because there’s so much that can happen in the middle of the year that can affect our weather pattern.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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"What does all this mean for skiing this winter?",
"When are Tahoe ski resorts scheduled to open?"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#skiing-winter\">What does all this mean for skiing this winter?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#skiing-winter\">What does all this mean for skiing this winter?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#open\">When are Tahoe ski resorts scheduled to open?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#open\">When are Tahoe ski resorts scheduled to open?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That was the case with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2016/01/01/461693346/ski-resorts-see-slight-thaw-after-chilling-effect-of-climate-change\">2015-16 season\u003c/a>, Allegretto said. There was a similar air of hype around El Niño conditions, but ultimately, the winter’s snowfall was just 97% of average, slightly \u003cem>below \u003c/em>a typical year.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>That was the case with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2016/01/01/461693346/ski-resorts-see-slight-thaw-after-chilling-effect-of-climate-change\">2015-16 season\u003c/a>, Allegretto said. There was a similar air of hype around El Niño conditions, but ultimately, the winter’s snowfall was just 97% of average, slightly \u003cem>below \u003c/em>a typical year.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>So what does today’s forecast mean for ski season? Allegretto breaks it down below.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>So what does today’s forecast mean for ski season? Allegretto breaks it down below.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the El Niño forecast saying today?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>First, Allegretto warned that it takes three consecutive months of higher-than-normal ocean surface temperatures before one can even declare an El Niño — let alone a “strong” or “very strong” El Niño.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>First, Allegretto warned that it takes three consecutive months of higher-than-normal ocean surface temperatures before one can even declare an El Niño — let alone a “strong” or “very strong” El Niño.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>So far, he said, water temperatures are about 2.2 degrees above average. The 2015-16 season was 2.3 degrees above the average. If we reach 2.5 degrees above normal, he said, that would be a record. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>So far, he said, water temperatures are about 2.2 degrees above average. The 2015-16 season was 2.3 degrees above the average. If we reach 2.5 degrees above normal, he said, that would be a record. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“At the end of September, it was the warmest the water has been at this point in the fall along the equator where they measure,” he said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“At the end of September, it was the warmest the water has been at this point in the fall along the equator where they measure,” he said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/SierraSnow2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12033987\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/SierraSnow2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/SierraSnow2-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/SierraSnow2-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/SierraSnow2-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/SierraSnow2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/SierraSnow2-1920x1440.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sierra snow scene near Lake Tahoe, late December, 2015.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Courtesy Mikee Gildea)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/weather/article/el-nino-rain-california-22465614.php\">Monday’s updated models\u003c/a> showed even more reason to believe it will be an unusually wet winter. But it’s not yet clear if that trend will continue — or what other factors will be in play.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/weather/article/el-nino-rain-california-22465614.php\">Monday’s updated models\u003c/a> showed even more reason to believe it will be an unusually wet winter. But it’s not yet clear if that trend will continue — or what other factors will be in play.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We had a ‘super’ El Niño in 15-16 with below-average snowfall,” he said. “But there were things happening that year in the Atlantic and the Northern Pacific that were messing with the weather pattern. And it was causing most of the storms to go to the north of California and the Pacific Northwest.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“We had a ‘super’ El Niño in 15-16 with below-average snowfall,” he said. “But there were things happening that year in the Atlantic and the Northern Pacific that were messing with the weather pattern. And it was causing most of the storms to go to the north of California and the Pacific Northwest.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>What’s tough to know is whether this season’s El Niño pattern will be the most prevailing, or if other weather systems in January or February will interfere. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>What’s tough to know is whether this season’s El Niño pattern will be the most prevailing, or if other weather systems in January or February will interfere. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In theory, Allegretto said, this year’s El Niño “should be the most dominant factor.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>In theory, Allegretto said, this year’s El Niño “should be the most dominant factor.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Still, he said he is only “cautiously optimistic.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Still, he said he is only “cautiously optimistic.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I think we will see above average snow and rain,” he said. “But am I willing to say that we’re going to get a year like 1982-83?\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I think we will see above average snow and rain,” he said. “But am I willing to say that we’re going to get a year like 1982-83?\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“No,” he said. “Only very risky people say those kinds of things.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“No,” he said. “Only very risky people say those kinds of things.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "What does all this mean for skiing this winter?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"skiing-winter\">What does all this mean for skiing this winter?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>All in all, Allegretto said he is “pretty excited” for the ski season. After all, as OpenSnow’s expert on California and the Lake Tahoe region, it’s \u003ca href=\"https://opensnow.com/dailysnow/tahoe/post/44538\">his job to update skiers and snowboarders\u003c/a> about the winter weather. This week, he started \u003ca href=\"https://opensnow.com/dailysnow/tahoe\">posting his weekly forecasts\u003c/a> and said that come opening day at ski resorts in November, he will start posting daily.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>All in all, Allegretto said he is “pretty excited” for the ski season. After all, as OpenSnow’s expert on California and the Lake Tahoe region, it’s \u003ca href=\"https://opensnow.com/dailysnow/tahoe/post/44538\">his job to update skiers and snowboarders\u003c/a> about the winter weather. This week, he started \u003ca href=\"https://opensnow.com/dailysnow/tahoe\">posting his weekly forecasts\u003c/a> and said that come opening day at ski resorts in November, he will start posting daily.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I just hope the storms stay cold enough, the snow levels stay low, and we don’t end up with a bunch of rain,” he said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“I just hope the storms stay cold enough, the snow levels stay low, and we don’t end up with a bunch of rain,” he said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Allegretto isn’t the only one hedging. In a \u003ca href=\"https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/atqfkmbd/#Slides_6\">recent earnings call\u003c/a>, Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz told investors that sales of Epic Passes, which give local skiers access to three Lake Tahoe resorts, are 12% down this year. Katz attributed the drop in part to last year’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12077367/tahoe-ski-resorts-closing-dates-2026-heavenly-palisades-homewood-closed-weather-snow-forecast-storms\">disappointing snowfall\u003c/a>, which closed many resorts prematurely. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Allegretto isn’t the only one hedging. In a \u003ca href=\"https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/atqfkmbd/#Slides_6\">recent earnings call\u003c/a>, Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz told investors that sales of Epic Passes, which give local skiers access to three Lake Tahoe resorts, are 12% down this year. Katz attributed the drop in part to last year’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12077367/tahoe-ski-resorts-closing-dates-2026-heavenly-palisades-homewood-closed-weather-snow-forecast-storms\">disappointing snowfall\u003c/a>, which closed many resorts prematurely. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In general, Allegretto said strong El Niños tend to produce the most snowfall in February and January, calling them “make-or-break months.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>In general, Allegretto said strong El Niños tend to produce the most snowfall in February and January, calling them “make-or-break months.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Still, he was careful not to overstate the possibility of a banger ski season.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Still, he was careful not to overstate the possibility of a banger ski season.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I just don’t hype, even if it looks like it’s going to be a decent year,” Allegretto said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“I just don’t hype, even if it looks like it’s going to be a decent year,” Allegretto said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>He even warned that too much snow could bring different problems for skiers. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>He even warned that too much snow could bring different problems for skiers. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“You don’t want too much snow because then the ski resorts are closed, the highway’s closed,” he said. “I just prefer good storms that are easy to chase.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“You don’t want too much snow because then the ski resorts are closed, the highway’s closed,” he said. “I just prefer good storms that are easy to chase.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“You only need shin-deep powder to have fun,” he said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“You only need shin-deep powder to have fun,” he said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"attrs": {
"text": "Those California ski resort opening dates so far:",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"open\">Those California ski resort opening dates so far:\u003c/h2>\n",
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"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"open\">Those California ski resort opening dates so far:\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Mammoth Mountain: Nov. 13\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Mammoth Mountain: Nov. 13\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Heavenly Ski Resort: Nov. 20\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Heavenly Ski Resort: Nov. 20\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Northstar California Resort: Nov. 20\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Mount Rose Ski Tahoe: Nov. 20\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Mount Rose Ski Tahoe: Nov. 20\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Kirkwood Mountain Resort: Dec. 4\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "One forecaster breaks down the data — without buying into the hype.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>Will this ski season be the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096560/el-nino-snow-weather-forecast-sierra-nevada-tahoe-california-ski-pass-winter-2026-2027\">best ever\u003c/a>? Or, with \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12099961/scientists-warn-this-years-el-nino-can-trigger-unprecedented-flooding\">report\u003c/a> after \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12097546/el-nino-could-bring-a-wet-wild-winter-how-can-you-and-your-home-be-ready\">report\u003c/a> of a “super El Niño” that will slam the West Coast with rain and snow, will skiers’ expectations pale in comparison to reality?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The answer, OpenSnow forecaster Bryan Allegretto said, is still far from clear. And for him, a big part of this uncertainty is that “we don’t have much data on strong El Niños.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In fact, there have only really been four winters since 1970 to be considered “strong” El Niños, Allegretto said. Of those, half produced above-average snowfall, including the \u003ca href=\"https://www.skimag.com/ski-resort-life/10-deepest-winters-recent-history/\">1982-83 season\u003c/a>, when total snowfall came in at 170% of average. But the other half produced below-average snowfall. And going back to 1950, he sees four of seven “strong” El Niños resulting in big snow years.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/TahoeSnowGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12077403\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/TahoeSnowGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/TahoeSnowGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/TahoeSnowGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The ski area at Homewood has closed due to poor snow conditions as viewed on April 14, 2021, in Homewood, California. (George Rose/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“So if you were just going to look historically, there’s no clear signal,” he said. “They haven’t been consistent as far as snowfall.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That said, the two years that did overproduce did so … \u003cem>enormously\u003c/em>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If you were to look at the average … it’s like 138% of average snowfall, but that isn’t fair to the years that are below-average,” he said. “Because there’s so much that can happen in the middle of the year that can affect our weather pattern.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#skiing-winter\">What does all this mean for skiing this winter?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#open\">When are Tahoe ski resorts scheduled to open?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That was the case with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2016/01/01/461693346/ski-resorts-see-slight-thaw-after-chilling-effect-of-climate-change\">2015-16 season\u003c/a>, Allegretto said. There was a similar air of hype around El Niño conditions, but ultimately, the winter’s snowfall was just 97% of average, slightly \u003cem>below \u003c/em>a typical year.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So what does today’s forecast mean for ski season? Allegretto breaks it down below.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the El Niño forecast saying today?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>First, Allegretto warned that it takes three consecutive months of higher-than-normal ocean surface temperatures before one can even declare an El Niño — let alone a “strong” or “very strong” El Niño.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So far, he said, water temperatures are about 2.2 degrees above average. The 2015-16 season was 2.3 degrees above the average. If we reach 2.5 degrees above normal, he said, that would be a record. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“At the end of September, it was the warmest the water has been at this point in the fall along the equator where they measure,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/SierraSnow2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12033987\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/SierraSnow2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/SierraSnow2-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/SierraSnow2-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/SierraSnow2-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/SierraSnow2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/SierraSnow2-1920x1440.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sierra snow scene near Lake Tahoe, late December, 2015. (Courtesy Mikee Gildea)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/weather/article/el-nino-rain-california-22465614.php\">Monday’s updated models\u003c/a> showed even more reason to believe it will be an unusually wet winter. But it’s not yet clear if that trend will continue — or what other factors will be in play.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We had a ‘super’ El Niño in 15-16 with below-average snowfall,” he said. “But there were things happening that year in the Atlantic and the Northern Pacific that were messing with the weather pattern. And it was causing most of the storms to go to the north of California and the Pacific Northwest.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>What’s tough to know is whether this season’s El Niño pattern will be the most prevailing, or if other weather systems in January or February will interfere. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In theory, Allegretto said, this year’s El Niño “should be the most dominant factor.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Still, he said he is only “cautiously optimistic.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I think we will see above average snow and rain,” he said. “But am I willing to say that we’re going to get a year like 1982-83?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“No,” he said. “Only very risky people say those kinds of things.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"skiing-winter\">What does all this mean for skiing this winter?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>All in all, Allegretto said he is “pretty excited” for the ski season. After all, as OpenSnow’s expert on California and the Lake Tahoe region, it’s \u003ca href=\"https://opensnow.com/dailysnow/tahoe/post/44538\">his job to update skiers and snowboarders\u003c/a> about the winter weather. This week, he started \u003ca href=\"https://opensnow.com/dailysnow/tahoe\">posting his weekly forecasts\u003c/a> and said that come opening day at ski resorts in November, he will start posting daily.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I just hope the storms stay cold enough, the snow levels stay low, and we don’t end up with a bunch of rain,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Allegretto isn’t the only one hedging. In a \u003ca href=\"https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/atqfkmbd/#Slides_6\">recent earnings call\u003c/a>, Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz told investors that sales of Epic Passes, which give local skiers access to three Lake Tahoe resorts, are 12% down this year. Katz attributed the drop in part to last year’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12077367/tahoe-ski-resorts-closing-dates-2026-heavenly-palisades-homewood-closed-weather-snow-forecast-storms\">disappointing snowfall\u003c/a>, which closed many resorts prematurely. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In general, Allegretto said strong El Niños tend to produce the most snowfall in February and January, calling them “make-or-break months.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Still, he was careful not to overstate the possibility of a banger ski season.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I just don’t hype, even if it looks like it’s going to be a decent year,” Allegretto said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He even warned that too much snow could bring different problems for skiers. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“You don’t want too much snow because then the ski resorts are closed, the highway’s closed,” he said. “I just prefer good storms that are easy to chase.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“You only need shin-deep powder to have fun,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"open\">Those California ski resort opening dates so far:\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Mammoth Mountain: Nov. 13\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Heavenly Ski Resort: Nov. 20\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Northstar California Resort: Nov. 20\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Mount Rose Ski Tahoe: Nov. 20\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Palisades Tahoe: Nov. 25\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Kirkwood Mountain Resort: Dec. 4\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "valkyries-comeback-win-catapults-team-to-its-first-semifinals",
"title": "Valkyries Comeback Win Catapults Team to Its First Semifinals",
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"headTitle": "Valkyries Comeback Win Catapults Team to Its First Semifinals | KQED",
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"content": "\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/golden-state-valkyries\">Golden State Valkyries\u003c/a> punched their ticket to the franchise’s first-ever WNBA semifinals on Friday night, after erasing a 16-point deficit in the second half of a win-or-go-home playoff game against the Dallas Wings. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Chase Center’s sell-out crowd erupted when the Valkyries, largely led by a 17-point second half push by forward Gabby Williams, took the last game in a best-of-three round one series on their home court. In just their second season since beginning play in 2025, it marks the franchise’s first playoff series win. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The 77-73 victory advances them to a best-of-five semifinals series, where they’ll host defending WNBA champions, the Las Vegas Aces, starting Sunday. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-9 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12102722\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-42-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12102722\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-42-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-42-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-42-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golden State Valkyries players celebrate after defeating the Dallas Wings 77-73 in Game 3 of their WNBA first-round playoff series at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 2, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12102726\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-52-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12102726\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-52-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-52-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-52-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golden State Valkyries mascot Violet lies on the court after the team defeated the Dallas Wings 77-73 in Game 3 of their WNBA first-round playoff series at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 2, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Williams told ESPN after the game that she swore there was magic in Ballhalla, the name given to Chase Center, when filled with fans who are loud and passionate. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I loved it because it forced us to talk louder, communicate more and when you’re screaming more, your energy is up and you’re into it, so we definitely owe Ballhalla a big thank you,” Williams said at the post-game press conference. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Williams scored a team high of 19 points overall and netted the last baskets that resulted in victory for the No. 2 seeded team. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-10 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12102714\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-40-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12102714\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-40-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-40-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-40-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans react after the Golden State Valkyries defeat the Dallas Wings 77-73 in Game 3 of their WNBA first-round playoff series at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 2, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12102712\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-37-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12102712\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-37-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-37-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-37-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bay Area rapper E-40 poses for a photo courtside near the end of Game 3 of the Golden State Valkyries’ WNBA first-round playoff series against the Dallas Wings at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 2, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Tiffany Hayes was the team’s second-highest scorer of the night, trailing Williams with 18 points. She said a switch flipped in the last quarter or so of the game – “it’s literally win or go home, so we gotta do something.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I don’t know if I can speak for everyone, but I think I can when I say: Our back’s against the wall, we’re going to scratch and claw and do what we need to do and lock into our scheme,” Hayes said post-game. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-11 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12102728\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-04-BL_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12102728\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-04-BL_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-04-BL_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-04-BL_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gabby Williams plays in Game 3 of the WNBA first-round playoff series at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 2, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12102719\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-24-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12102719\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-24-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-24-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-24-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tiffany Hayes goes for the shot as the Valkyries play the Dallas Wings in Game 3 of their WNBA first-round playoff series at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 2, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>After the Wings scored 18 consecutive points between the end of the first half and the beginning of the third quarter, Veronica Burton hit a three-pointer that marked the beginning of the Valkyries path to victory. The team went on to outscore the Wings 17-15 in the third quarter. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Coach Natalie Nakase appeared to collapse near the sideline in the fourth quarter, but went on coaching the rest of the game. Nakase didn’t appear at the post-game conference but assistant coach Kasib Powell said that she was fine and will be ready for the semifinals. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Obviously, it’s a quick turnaround. We play again on Sunday and she wouldn’t miss it for anything,” Powell told reporters. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-49-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12102725\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-49-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-49-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-49-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Confetti falls after the Golden State Valkyries defeat the Dallas Wings 77-73 in Game 3 of their WNBA first-round playoff series at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 2, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Valkyries made history when they reached the playoffs last year in their inaugural season, becoming the first expansion team to reach the postseason. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But their historic performance fell short when the Minnesota Lynx swept them in the first round, leaving the Valkyries with a 0% winning percentage in the playoffs. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-12 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12102715\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-01-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12102715\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-01-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-01-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-01-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Margaret and Diggory Williams cheer before the Golden State Valkyries play the Dallas Wings in Game 3 of the first round of the WNBA playoffs at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 2, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12102713\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-38-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12102713\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-38-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-38-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-38-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans watch in anticipation near the end of Game 3 of the WNBA first-round playoff series between the Golden State Valkyries and Dallas Wings at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 2, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Now, they’re the highest ranked team remaining this postseason. Hayes said she’s seen the work that staff and players have put in since last year. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I literally commend everybody down the line, top to bottom on just our work ethic and wanting to work and wanting to win and get better as a team,” Hayes said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Valkyries will host the Aces tomorrow at 1 p.m at Chase Center in San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/golden-state-valkyries\">Golden State Valkyries\u003c/a> punched their ticket to the franchise’s first-ever WNBA semifinals on Friday night, after erasing a 16-point deficit in the second half of a win-or-go-home playoff game against the Dallas Wings. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Chase Center’s sell-out crowd erupted when the Valkyries, largely led by a 17-point second half push by forward Gabby Williams, took the last game in a best-of-three round one series on their home court. In just their second season since beginning play in 2025, it marks the franchise’s first playoff series win. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The 77-73 victory advances them to a best-of-five semifinals series, where they’ll host defending WNBA champions, the Las Vegas Aces, starting Sunday. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I loved it because it forced us to talk louder, communicate more and when you’re screaming more, your energy is up and you’re into it, so we definitely owe Ballhalla a big thank you,” Williams said at the post-game press conference. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>After the Wings scored 18 consecutive points between the end of the first half and the beginning of the third quarter, Veronica Burton hit a three-pointer that marked the beginning of the Valkyries path to victory. The team went on to outscore the Wings 17-15 in the third quarter. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Valkyries made history when they reached the playoffs last year in their inaugural season, becoming the first expansion team to reach the postseason. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Now, they’re the highest ranked team remaining this postseason. Hayes said she’s seen the work that staff and players have put in since last year. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I literally commend everybody down the line, top to bottom on just our work ethic and wanting to work and wanting to win and get better as a team,” Hayes said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "The Friday win against the Dallas Wings is also the team’s first playoff series win since the franchise began play in 2025. ",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/golden-state-valkyries\">Golden State Valkyries\u003c/a> punched their ticket to the franchise’s first-ever WNBA semifinals on Friday night, after erasing a 16-point deficit in the second half of a win-or-go-home playoff game against the Dallas Wings. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Chase Center’s sell-out crowd erupted when the Valkyries, largely led by a 17-point second half push by forward Gabby Williams, took the last game in a best-of-three round one series on their home court. In just their second season since beginning play in 2025, it marks the franchise’s first playoff series win. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The 77-73 victory advances them to a best-of-five semifinals series, where they’ll host defending WNBA champions, the Las Vegas Aces, starting Sunday. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-9 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12102722\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-42-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12102722\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-42-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-42-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-42-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golden State Valkyries players celebrate after defeating the Dallas Wings 77-73 in Game 3 of their WNBA first-round playoff series at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 2, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12102726\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-52-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12102726\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-52-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-52-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-52-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golden State Valkyries mascot Violet lies on the court after the team defeated the Dallas Wings 77-73 in Game 3 of their WNBA first-round playoff series at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 2, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Williams told ESPN after the game that she swore there was magic in Ballhalla, the name given to Chase Center, when filled with fans who are loud and passionate. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I loved it because it forced us to talk louder, communicate more and when you’re screaming more, your energy is up and you’re into it, so we definitely owe Ballhalla a big thank you,” Williams said at the post-game press conference. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Williams scored a team high of 19 points overall and netted the last baskets that resulted in victory for the No. 2 seeded team. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-10 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12102714\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-40-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12102714\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-40-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-40-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-40-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans react after the Golden State Valkyries defeat the Dallas Wings 77-73 in Game 3 of their WNBA first-round playoff series at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 2, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12102712\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-37-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12102712\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-37-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-37-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-37-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bay Area rapper E-40 poses for a photo courtside near the end of Game 3 of the Golden State Valkyries’ WNBA first-round playoff series against the Dallas Wings at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 2, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Tiffany Hayes was the team’s second-highest scorer of the night, trailing Williams with 18 points. She said a switch flipped in the last quarter or so of the game – “it’s literally win or go home, so we gotta do something.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I don’t know if I can speak for everyone, but I think I can when I say: Our back’s against the wall, we’re going to scratch and claw and do what we need to do and lock into our scheme,” Hayes said post-game. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-11 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12102728\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-04-BL_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12102728\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-04-BL_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-04-BL_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-04-BL_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gabby Williams plays in Game 3 of the WNBA first-round playoff series at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 2, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12102719\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-24-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12102719\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-24-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-24-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-24-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tiffany Hayes goes for the shot as the Valkyries play the Dallas Wings in Game 3 of their WNBA first-round playoff series at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 2, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>After the Wings scored 18 consecutive points between the end of the first half and the beginning of the third quarter, Veronica Burton hit a three-pointer that marked the beginning of the Valkyries path to victory. The team went on to outscore the Wings 17-15 in the third quarter. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Coach Natalie Nakase appeared to collapse near the sideline in the fourth quarter, but went on coaching the rest of the game. Nakase didn’t appear at the post-game conference but assistant coach Kasib Powell said that she was fine and will be ready for the semifinals. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Obviously, it’s a quick turnaround. We play again on Sunday and she wouldn’t miss it for anything,” Powell told reporters. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-49-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12102725\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-49-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-49-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-49-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Confetti falls after the Golden State Valkyries defeat the Dallas Wings 77-73 in Game 3 of their WNBA first-round playoff series at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 2, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Valkyries made history when they reached the playoffs last year in their inaugural season, becoming the first expansion team to reach the postseason. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But their historic performance fell short when the Minnesota Lynx swept them in the first round, leaving the Valkyries with a 0% winning percentage in the playoffs. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-12 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12102715\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-01-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12102715\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-01-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-01-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-01-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Margaret and Diggory Williams cheer before the Golden State Valkyries play the Dallas Wings in Game 3 of the first round of the WNBA playoffs at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 2, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12102713\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-38-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12102713\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-38-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-38-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/10/261002-ValkyriesRound1-38-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans watch in anticipation near the end of Game 3 of the WNBA first-round playoff series between the Golden State Valkyries and Dallas Wings at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 2, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Now, they’re the highest ranked team remaining this postseason. Hayes said she’s seen the work that staff and players have put in since last year. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I literally commend everybody down the line, top to bottom on just our work ethic and wanting to work and wanting to win and get better as a team,” Hayes said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Valkyries will host the Aces tomorrow at 1 p.m at Chase Center in San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "fifa-world-cup-matches-bring-850-million-to-bay-area-report-says",
"title": "FIFA World Cup Matches Bring $850 Million to Bay Area, Report Says",
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"headTitle": "FIFA World Cup Matches Bring $850 Million to Bay Area, Report Says | KQED",
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"content": "\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/world-cup\">FIFA World Cup\u003c/a> generated roughly $850 million in economic impact in the Bay Area, according to a new report released by regional organizers. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The report was unveiled Thursday by the Bay Area Host Committee, a nonprofit formed to bring major sporting events to the region, with a board of directors made up of heads of local professional sports teams, whose venues often host events or play supporting roles.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The estimated figure is based on metrics evaluating spending by visitors, teams and companies on things like hotels, food, transportation and events, and the wages earned by workers in the region related to the World Cup. The report was prepared for the host committee by Boston Consulting Group. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 elevated our global reputation, strengthened community bonds and will pay dividends for years to come,” Zaileen Janmohamed, the president & CEO of the host committee, said in a statement. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260701-WORLDCUPUSALEVIS-41-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12089715\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260701-WORLDCUPUSALEVIS-41-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260701-WORLDCUPUSALEVIS-41-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260701-WORLDCUPUSALEVIS-41-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans leave the FIFA World Cup game between the USA and Bosnia-Herzegovina at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on July 1, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The world’s attention on our region showcased the Bay Area as a premier destination for major international events, brought neighbors together through watch parties and shared celebration, and will continue to fuel future tourism as visitors who experienced our hospitality choose to return and recommend the Bay to friends and family,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The report said the lion’s share of the impacts — about $410 million — were seen in Santa Clara County. Levi’s Stadium, in the city of Santa Clara, was designated as the sole venue for all \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089303/us-fans-geared-up-for-teams-bay-area-world-cup-match-against-bosnia\">six World Cup matches\u003c/a> played in Northern California.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The stadium was stripped of its branding under FIFA rules, and temporarily dubbed \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086949/levis-stadium-is-no-more-san-francisco-bay-area-stadium-hosts-world-cup\">San Francisco Bay Area Stadium\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>About $240 million of the boost was felt in San Francisco County, and the remaining $200 million was spread among eight other Bay Area counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Solano and Sonoma, according to the report. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The matches and supporting events and celebrations supported “approximately 5,100 jobs across the region and drew an estimated 240,000 visitors from outside the Bay Area, underscoring the tournament’s reach across the region’s hospitality, retail and service sectors,” the host committee’s statement said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The $850 million figure exceeded the committee’s previous projections for economic impact, which the organization pegged at $480 million to $630 million. It attributed the increase to higher-than-anticipated daily visitor spending.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The world saw what we’ve known all along — the Bay Area is a world-class sports [region] that excels in bringing people together, welcoming fans from around the globe and delivering an extraordinary World Cup experience,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“This success was a true team effort, and I could not be more excited for the major sports events to come in the Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The combined events of the 2025 NBA All-Star Game at Chase Center in San Francisco, and Super Bowl LX and the World Cup matches at Levi’s Stadium, generated roughly $1.9 billion for the region in total, according to the host committee. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>However, the eye-popping totals proffered by organizations like the host committee are frequently called into question by economics experts and academics. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Roger Noll, a professor emeritus of economics at Stanford University, previously characterized the estimates in such reports as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086953/the-world-cup-has-arrived-in-the-san-francisco-bay-area-is-anyone-else-coming\">“grossly overstated”\u003c/a> and said they serve mainly as public relations or advertising to help justify the large logistical lift, interruptions to public life and costs of hosting major events in the region. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The report prepared for the Super Bowl and other similar events often do not account for mitigating factors, such as the “substitution effect” of people who choose not to visit the Bay Area for business or tourism when major events are held here to avoid higher hotel prices and congestion, he said previously.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But for events like the World Cup, with multiple matches with days in between each, Noll said visitors would likely stay for longer and spend money here. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260701-WorldCupUSALevis-01-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091977\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260701-WorldCupUSALevis-01-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260701-WorldCupUSALevis-01-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260701-WorldCupUSALevis-01-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">U.S. national men’s team soccer fans walk toward the San Francisco Bay Area stadium for the FIFA World Cup game between the USA and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Santa Clara, California, on July 1, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The boost from the World Cup was undeniable in downtown San José, where the San José Earthquakes hosted a watch party for all 104 matches over 39 days at San Pedro Square Market. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Closed streets and massive viewing screens, along with special permission from the city to allow outdoor drinking, drew thousands of people into the area for matches. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Mayor Matt Mahan’s office said the watch parties, activities and entertainment options in downtown brought 1 million cumulative visits to the area. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While most of the celebrations were peaceful, police reported some \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089204/1-dead-1-critically-hurt-in-downtown-san-jose-shooting\">shootings\u003c/a> and stabbings in the area following some of the events, and huge crowds forced organizers to relocate one viewing party to nearby Discovery Meadow to allow for more space. World Cup events were also canceled at Spark Social in San Francisco after a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089502/world-cup-commotion-in-san-jose-2-stabbed-several-arrests-after-mexico-win\">shooting\u003c/a> in the Mission Bay neighborhood. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In June, the Bay Area Host Committee \u003ca href=\"https://bayareahostcommittee.com/newsroom/bay-area-host-committee-launches-leadership-council-to-cement-the-future-of-a-permanent-sustainable-sports-commission\">launched\u003c/a> a Leadership Council and Corporate Membership Program in support of turning the committee into a “permanent, sustainable sports commission that will secure, support and celebrate major sporting events in the region for decades to come.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The region is set to host the WNBA All-Star Game in 2027 at Chase Center, and the MLB All-Star Game will return to Oracle Park in 2028. Janmohamed said, with the coming events, “We will continue the incredible momentum of the past two years and directly increase positive economic impact for the Bay.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 elevated our global reputation, strengthened community bonds and will pay dividends for years to come,” Zaileen Janmohamed, the president & CEO of the host committee, said in a statement. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260701-WORLDCUPUSALEVIS-41-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12089715\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260701-WORLDCUPUSALEVIS-41-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260701-WORLDCUPUSALEVIS-41-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260701-WORLDCUPUSALEVIS-41-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans leave the FIFA World Cup game between the USA and Bosnia-Herzegovina at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on July 1, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The report said the lion’s share of the impacts — about $410 million — were seen in Santa Clara County. Levi’s Stadium, in the city of Santa Clara, was designated as the sole venue for all \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089303/us-fans-geared-up-for-teams-bay-area-world-cup-match-against-bosnia\">six World Cup matches\u003c/a> played in Northern California.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The report said the lion’s share of the impacts — about $410 million — were seen in Santa Clara County. Levi’s Stadium, in the city of Santa Clara, was designated as the sole venue for all \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089303/us-fans-geared-up-for-teams-bay-area-world-cup-match-against-bosnia\">six World Cup matches\u003c/a> played in Northern California.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The $850 million figure exceeded the committee’s previous projections for economic impact, which the organization pegged at $480 million to $630 million. It attributed the increase to higher-than-anticipated daily visitor spending.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The world saw what we’ve known all along — the Bay Area is a world-class sports [region] that excels in bringing people together, welcoming fans from around the globe and delivering an extraordinary World Cup experience,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“This success was a true team effort, and I could not be more excited for the major sports events to come in the Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The combined events of the 2025 NBA All-Star Game at Chase Center in San Francisco, and Super Bowl LX and the World Cup matches at Levi’s Stadium, generated roughly $1.9 billion for the region in total, according to the host committee. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>However, the eye-popping totals proffered by organizations like the host committee are frequently called into question by economics experts and academics. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Roger Noll, a professor emeritus of economics at Stanford University, previously characterized the estimates in such reports as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086953/the-world-cup-has-arrived-in-the-san-francisco-bay-area-is-anyone-else-coming\">“grossly overstated”\u003c/a> and said they serve mainly as public relations or advertising to help justify the large logistical lift, interruptions to public life and costs of hosting major events in the region. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The report prepared for the Super Bowl and other similar events often do not account for mitigating factors, such as the “substitution effect” of people who choose not to visit the Bay Area for business or tourism when major events are held here to avoid higher hotel prices and congestion, he said previously.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But for events like the World Cup, with multiple matches with days in between each, Noll said visitors would likely stay for longer and spend money here. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The boost from the World Cup was undeniable in downtown San José, where the San José Earthquakes hosted a watch party for all 104 matches over 39 days at San Pedro Square Market. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>While most of the celebrations were peaceful, police reported some \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089204/1-dead-1-critically-hurt-in-downtown-san-jose-shooting\">shootings\u003c/a> and stabbings in the area following some of the events, and huge crowds forced organizers to relocate one viewing party to nearby Discovery Meadow to allow for more space. World Cup events were also canceled at Spark Social in San Francisco after a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089502/world-cup-commotion-in-san-jose-2-stabbed-several-arrests-after-mexico-win\">shooting\u003c/a> in the Mission Bay neighborhood. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In June, the Bay Area Host Committee \u003ca href=\"https://bayareahostcommittee.com/newsroom/bay-area-host-committee-launches-leadership-council-to-cement-the-future-of-a-permanent-sustainable-sports-commission\">launched\u003c/a> a Leadership Council and Corporate Membership Program in support of turning the committee into a “permanent, sustainable sports commission that will secure, support and celebrate major sporting events in the region for decades to come.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The region is set to host the WNBA All-Star Game in 2027 at Chase Center, and the MLB All-Star Game will return to Oracle Park in 2028. Janmohamed said, with the coming events, “We will continue the incredible momentum of the past two years and directly increase positive economic impact for the Bay.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "The FIFA World Cup brought matches, team base camps, fan watch parties and events to the region. ",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/world-cup\">FIFA World Cup\u003c/a> generated roughly $850 million in economic impact in the Bay Area, according to a new report released by regional organizers. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The report was unveiled Thursday by the Bay Area Host Committee, a nonprofit formed to bring major sporting events to the region, with a board of directors made up of heads of local professional sports teams, whose venues often host events or play supporting roles.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The estimated figure is based on metrics evaluating spending by visitors, teams and companies on things like hotels, food, transportation and events, and the wages earned by workers in the region related to the World Cup. The report was prepared for the host committee by Boston Consulting Group. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 elevated our global reputation, strengthened community bonds and will pay dividends for years to come,” Zaileen Janmohamed, the president & CEO of the host committee, said in a statement. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260701-WORLDCUPUSALEVIS-41-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12089715\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260701-WORLDCUPUSALEVIS-41-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260701-WORLDCUPUSALEVIS-41-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260701-WORLDCUPUSALEVIS-41-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans leave the FIFA World Cup game between the USA and Bosnia-Herzegovina at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on July 1, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The world’s attention on our region showcased the Bay Area as a premier destination for major international events, brought neighbors together through watch parties and shared celebration, and will continue to fuel future tourism as visitors who experienced our hospitality choose to return and recommend the Bay to friends and family,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The report said the lion’s share of the impacts — about $410 million — were seen in Santa Clara County. Levi’s Stadium, in the city of Santa Clara, was designated as the sole venue for all \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089303/us-fans-geared-up-for-teams-bay-area-world-cup-match-against-bosnia\">six World Cup matches\u003c/a> played in Northern California.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The stadium was stripped of its branding under FIFA rules, and temporarily dubbed \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086949/levis-stadium-is-no-more-san-francisco-bay-area-stadium-hosts-world-cup\">San Francisco Bay Area Stadium\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>About $240 million of the boost was felt in San Francisco County, and the remaining $200 million was spread among eight other Bay Area counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Solano and Sonoma, according to the report. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The matches and supporting events and celebrations supported “approximately 5,100 jobs across the region and drew an estimated 240,000 visitors from outside the Bay Area, underscoring the tournament’s reach across the region’s hospitality, retail and service sectors,” the host committee’s statement said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The $850 million figure exceeded the committee’s previous projections for economic impact, which the organization pegged at $480 million to $630 million. It attributed the increase to higher-than-anticipated daily visitor spending.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The world saw what we’ve known all along — the Bay Area is a world-class sports [region] that excels in bringing people together, welcoming fans from around the globe and delivering an extraordinary World Cup experience,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“This success was a true team effort, and I could not be more excited for the major sports events to come in the Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The combined events of the 2025 NBA All-Star Game at Chase Center in San Francisco, and Super Bowl LX and the World Cup matches at Levi’s Stadium, generated roughly $1.9 billion for the region in total, according to the host committee. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>However, the eye-popping totals proffered by organizations like the host committee are frequently called into question by economics experts and academics. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Roger Noll, a professor emeritus of economics at Stanford University, previously characterized the estimates in such reports as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086953/the-world-cup-has-arrived-in-the-san-francisco-bay-area-is-anyone-else-coming\">“grossly overstated”\u003c/a> and said they serve mainly as public relations or advertising to help justify the large logistical lift, interruptions to public life and costs of hosting major events in the region. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The report prepared for the Super Bowl and other similar events often do not account for mitigating factors, such as the “substitution effect” of people who choose not to visit the Bay Area for business or tourism when major events are held here to avoid higher hotel prices and congestion, he said previously.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But for events like the World Cup, with multiple matches with days in between each, Noll said visitors would likely stay for longer and spend money here. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260701-WorldCupUSALevis-01-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091977\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260701-WorldCupUSALevis-01-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260701-WorldCupUSALevis-01-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260701-WorldCupUSALevis-01-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">U.S. national men’s team soccer fans walk toward the San Francisco Bay Area stadium for the FIFA World Cup game between the USA and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Santa Clara, California, on July 1, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The boost from the World Cup was undeniable in downtown San José, where the San José Earthquakes hosted a watch party for all 104 matches over 39 days at San Pedro Square Market. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Closed streets and massive viewing screens, along with special permission from the city to allow outdoor drinking, drew thousands of people into the area for matches. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Mayor Matt Mahan’s office said the watch parties, activities and entertainment options in downtown brought 1 million cumulative visits to the area. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While most of the celebrations were peaceful, police reported some \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089204/1-dead-1-critically-hurt-in-downtown-san-jose-shooting\">shootings\u003c/a> and stabbings in the area following some of the events, and huge crowds forced organizers to relocate one viewing party to nearby Discovery Meadow to allow for more space. World Cup events were also canceled at Spark Social in San Francisco after a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089502/world-cup-commotion-in-san-jose-2-stabbed-several-arrests-after-mexico-win\">shooting\u003c/a> in the Mission Bay neighborhood. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In June, the Bay Area Host Committee \u003ca href=\"https://bayareahostcommittee.com/newsroom/bay-area-host-committee-launches-leadership-council-to-cement-the-future-of-a-permanent-sustainable-sports-commission\">launched\u003c/a> a Leadership Council and Corporate Membership Program in support of turning the committee into a “permanent, sustainable sports commission that will secure, support and celebrate major sporting events in the region for decades to come.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The region is set to host the WNBA All-Star Game in 2027 at Chase Center, and the MLB All-Star Game will return to Oracle Park in 2028. Janmohamed said, with the coming events, “We will continue the incredible momentum of the past two years and directly increase positive economic impact for the Bay.”\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "fans-rally-at-chase-center-as-valkyries-win-their-first-playoff-game-on-sunday",
"title": "Fans Rally at Chase Center as Valkyries Win Their First Playoff Game on Sunday",
"publishDate": 1790624896,
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"headTitle": "Fans Rally at Chase Center as Valkyries Win Their First Playoff Game on Sunday | KQED",
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"content": "\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/golden-state-valkyries\">Golden State Valkyries\u003c/a>’ second playoff run is off to a strong start after the team won 104 to 80 against the Dallas Wings on Sunday night at home at the Chase Center in San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The night saw a packed house and major milestones for the Valkyries in a couple different ways: the team’s first playoff win ever, the highest number of points scored in the franchise’s two years and six players who hit multiple threes — the last of which made the walls of Chase Center (a.k.a. Ballhalla) rattle with the cheers of a fandom that has become well known for its passion and loyalty. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Considering the Valkyries’ debut last year brought in a whole new wave of basketball fans, KQED has guides on \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area\">how to join in on the WNBA fandom\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12101382/golden-state-valkyries-playoffs-wnba-2026-chase-center-ballhalla\">how to follow playoffs\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla#chase-center-san-francisco-parking\">how to attend a game at Chase Center\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-02241_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101590\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-02241_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-02241_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-02241_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Valkyries fans light their phones during a break at the Golden State Valkyries home opener at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>We also spoke to some of the fervent fans decked out in purple before the game to see how they are feeling about the Valkyries’ playoff chances and what advice they have for newcomers. Because, as Dallas Wings guard and WNBA fan favorite Paige Bueckers said after the game, Valkyries fans are the team’s “sixth man.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I think they have one of the best home courts in the league,” Bueckers said. “There’s not a silent voice in the crowd. So, it’s tough to play here, but as a competitor, you kind of love that and you want to embrace that environment.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Valkyries went hard during the first half of the game, leading by 21 points. After a very Bay Area halftime show that featured West Coast hip-hop legend Too $hort (much to \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SFP8iPWvR34\">the delight of Valkyries player Gabby Williams\u003c/a>), the Wings were unable to close the gap and push through the Valkyries’ defense. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-02213_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101589\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-02213_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-02213_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-02213_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans cheer for the Golden State Valkyries as they play against the Dallas Wings during their home opener at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12101581\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01348_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101581\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01348_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01348_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01348_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A fan cheers for the Golden State Valkyries as they play against the Dallas Wings during their home opener at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12101587\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01897_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101587\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01897_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01897_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01897_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A fan cheers for the Golden State Valkyries as they play against the Dallas Wings during their home opener at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Valkyries will be facing the Wings again on Wednesday, this time in Texas. In a postgame press conference, Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase — fresh off a \u003ca href=\"https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-womens-basketball-world-cup-2026\">FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup win\u003c/a> with Team USA — said she is already telling the players to start thinking about the next game. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“They’re already in recovery mode right now. I told them it was a must because tonight’s recovery is going to be so, so important,” she said in a postgame conference. “We have to really expect a Dallas Wings team that’s going to be hungry.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Next game mentality; nothing carries over from this game,” she said. “We’re already onto the next.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Prospects for the Valkyries are much better during this year’s playoffs than last year, when the freshman team, ranked eighth in the league, lost twice to the Minnesota Lynx. Now, the Valkyries are ranked second in the league and, if they beat the Wings in a best-of-three, will face either the Las Vegas Aces or the Indiana Fever.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12101586\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01811_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101586\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01811_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01811_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01811_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A fan cheers for the Golden State Valkyries as they play against the Dallas Wings during their home opener at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12101579\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-valkyriesplayoff1-01332_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101579\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-valkyriesplayoff1-01332_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-valkyriesplayoff1-01332_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-valkyriesplayoff1-01332_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A fan cheers for the Golden State Valkyries as they play against the Dallas Wings during their home opener at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season. (Tam Vu/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“That’s part of our identity, knowing I can play as hard as I can when I’m on the court, because as soon as someone else comes in, we have another burst,” Valkyries forward Williams said. “That’s just what we’ve hung our hat on all season — is our depth.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Nakase also commented on the growth of the team — and how that has been reflected in Ballhalla and the fans. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“[The crowd is] more in unison,” she said. “Our team this year is a lot more connected; you could see the whole Ballhalla community is more connected.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you are hoping to get in on the hype during this major point in the WNBA postseason, here’s what several friendly fans recommended to those just joining in: \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Janene Wendrick, Oakland\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How are you feeling right now? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I’m feeling ready. I’m so excited that we’re in the playoffs for the second season and second time around. People thought that we just weren’t gonna make it … I’m ready to be loud in the building.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What’s your favorite thing about Ballhalla? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Every single game you see, you meet new friends, and you just smile. You leave happy. It doesn’t matter if we win or lose. You’re just still leaving happy.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01639_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101582\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01639_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01639_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01639_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Janene Wendrick poses for a portrait sporting a cape and purple feather mask before the Golden State Valkyries play the Dallas Wings at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you had advice for someone going to Ballhalla for the first time, what would it be?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re gonna welcome you. We’re going to show you all the little tips that we have for you.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I always tell someone: Don’t forget to get your free cup. Don’t forget to go to the activations. Don’t forget to go down to check out the Sephora vending machine. Don’t forget to stay in your seat … there’s so much you want to see [during the] halftime; stay in your seat.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jodi Howard, Sunnyvale \u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What was your favorite moment of the season?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“You know, Friday night’s game was terrifying, and winning that game at the very end was probably my favorite moment.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long have you been a WNBA fan? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Maybe for like a year before the Valkyries. Not too long. I started following the [Las Vegas] Aces because a friend of mine loved them.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I just knew that when we were getting a team that it was something I wanted to support and get into, and it has been the best decision I’ve made in a long time, so I’ve loved it. “\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01695_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101583\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01695_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01695_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01695_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jodi Howard poses for a portrait sporting a cape and purple feather mask before the Golden State Valkyries play the Dallas Wings at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you had advice for someone going to Ballhalla for the first time, what would it be?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“You’re going to be amazed at the kindness of the fans, at the energy of the fans; it feels like nothing you’ve ever experienced.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Chase Center tip? I like the adult Slurpees. They’re delicious, but the food is really expensive — so eat before you go in.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kashina Garner, San Francisco\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01792_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101585\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01792_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01792_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01792_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kashina Garner poses for a portrait sporting a cape and purple feather mask before the Golden State Valkyries play the Dallas Wings at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How are you feeling right now? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I’m feeling great. The Valkyries are No. 2 seed, so we need to just take this home … I’m feeling over the moon right now.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long have you been a women’s basketball fan? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I’ve been a basketball fan for quite some time now, but I’ve really become a fan since the Valkyries became a part of the WNBA.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“First of all, the color is my favorite color. And just all around the environment that this, you know, the women’s empowerment and… the atmosphere that it brings, you know, it’s also amazing.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Eva LaMorte, Sacramento\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003cem>Can you tell me a bit about your outfit? \u003c/em>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I was going for cutesy, sporty cutesy. I love to customize my own shoes, so I definitely went all out on my shoes today, but I would say more cutesy sporty.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-valkyriesplayoff1-01762_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101658\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-valkyriesplayoff1-01762_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-valkyriesplayoff1-01762_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-valkyriesplayoff1-01762_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Eva Lamorte poses for a portrait before the Golden State Valkyries play the Dallas Wings at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How are you feeling today? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“This is my first playoff. I know they went last year, but it’s my first playoff game with them, so just super duper excited.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s just spending time with my daughter out here. It’s become our thing to come together, and being here with her is the best part of it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We used to have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13989177/monarchs-sacramento-wnba-team-history\">the Sacramento Monarchs\u003c/a> out there. Now we have the Valkyries out this way. I just love women’s sports. Like, we need more of it.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you had advice for someone going to Ballhalla for the first time, what would it be?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“A lot of people are intimidated … just sit and watch. It becomes a blast.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Anywhere is a good seat; I love Ballhalla for that reason … I’ve really only ever been here for the basketball games. So whether you’re up high or up close, you’re really seeing it all.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Everybody in the place is just incredible to be around. Anywhere you sit, not only the view, but the people.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The night saw a packed house and major milestones for the Valkyries in a couple different ways: the team’s first playoff win ever, the highest number of points scored in the franchise’s two years and six players who hit multiple threes — the last of which made the walls of Chase Center (a.k.a. Ballhalla) rattle with the cheers of a fandom that has become well known for its passion and loyalty. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Considering the Valkyries’ debut last year brought in a whole new wave of basketball fans, KQED has guides on \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area\">how to join in on the WNBA fandom\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12101382/golden-state-valkyries-playoffs-wnba-2026-chase-center-ballhalla\">how to follow playoffs\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla#chase-center-san-francisco-parking\">how to attend a game at Chase Center\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Considering the Valkyries’ debut last year brought in a whole new wave of basketball fans, KQED has guides on \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area\">how to join in on the WNBA fandom\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12101382/golden-state-valkyries-playoffs-wnba-2026-chase-center-ballhalla\">how to follow playoffs\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla#chase-center-san-francisco-parking\">how to attend a game at Chase Center\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-02241_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101590\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-02241_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-02241_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-02241_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Valkyries fans light their phones during a break at the Golden State Valkyries home opener at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>We also spoke to some of the fervent fans decked out in purple before the game to see how they are feeling about the Valkyries’ playoff chances and what advice they have for newcomers. Because, as Dallas Wings guard and WNBA fan favorite Paige Bueckers said after the game, Valkyries fans are the team’s “sixth man.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>We also spoke to some of the fervent fans decked out in purple before the game to see how they are feeling about the Valkyries’ playoff chances and what advice they have for newcomers. Because, as Dallas Wings guard and WNBA fan favorite Paige Bueckers said after the game, Valkyries fans are the team’s “sixth man.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I think they have one of the best home courts in the league,” Bueckers said. “There’s not a silent voice in the crowd. So, it’s tough to play here, but as a competitor, you kind of love that and you want to embrace that environment.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“I think they have one of the best home courts in the league,” Bueckers said. “There’s not a silent voice in the crowd. So, it’s tough to play here, but as a competitor, you kind of love that and you want to embrace that environment.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Valkyries went hard during the first half of the game, leading by 21 points. After a very Bay Area halftime show that featured West Coast hip-hop legend Too $hort (much to \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SFP8iPWvR34\">the delight of Valkyries player Gabby Williams\u003c/a>), the Wings were unable to close the gap and push through the Valkyries’ defense. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01897_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101587\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A fan cheers for the Golden State Valkyries as they play against the Dallas Wings during their home opener at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Valkyries will be facing the Wings again on Wednesday, this time in Texas. In a postgame press conference, Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase — fresh off a \u003ca href=\"https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-womens-basketball-world-cup-2026\">FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup win\u003c/a> with Team USA — said she is already telling the players to start thinking about the next game. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The Valkyries will be facing the Wings again on Wednesday, this time in Texas. In a postgame press conference, Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase — fresh off a \u003ca href=\"https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-womens-basketball-world-cup-2026\">FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup win\u003c/a> with Team USA — said she is already telling the players to start thinking about the next game. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“They’re already in recovery mode right now. I told them it was a must because tonight’s recovery is going to be so, so important,” she said in a postgame conference. “We have to really expect a Dallas Wings team that’s going to be hungry.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“They’re already in recovery mode right now. I told them it was a must because tonight’s recovery is going to be so, so important,” she said in a postgame conference. “We have to really expect a Dallas Wings team that’s going to be hungry.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Next game mentality; nothing carries over from this game,” she said. “We’re already onto the next.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Prospects for the Valkyries are much better during this year’s playoffs than last year, when the freshman team, ranked eighth in the league, lost twice to the Minnesota Lynx. Now, the Valkyries are ranked second in the league and, if they beat the Wings in a best-of-three, will face either the Las Vegas Aces or the Indiana Fever.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Prospects for the Valkyries are much better during this year’s playoffs than last year, when the freshman team, ranked eighth in the league, lost twice to the Minnesota Lynx. Now, the Valkyries are ranked second in the league and, if they beat the Wings in a best-of-three, will face either the Las Vegas Aces or the Indiana Fever.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01811_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101586\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A fan cheers for the Golden State Valkyries as they play against the Dallas Wings during their home opener at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-valkyriesplayoff1-01332_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101579\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A fan cheers for the Golden State Valkyries as they play against the Dallas Wings during their home opener at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“That’s part of our identity, knowing I can play as hard as I can when I’m on the court, because as soon as someone else comes in, we have another burst,” Valkyries forward Williams said. “That’s just what we’ve hung our hat on all season — is our depth.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“That’s part of our identity, knowing I can play as hard as I can when I’m on the court, because as soon as someone else comes in, we have another burst,” Valkyries forward Williams said. “That’s just what we’ve hung our hat on all season — is our depth.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Nakase also commented on the growth of the team — and how that has been reflected in Ballhalla and the fans. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“[The crowd is] more in unison,” she said. “Our team this year is a lot more connected; you could see the whole Ballhalla community is more connected.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you are hoping to get in on the hype during this major point in the WNBA postseason, here’s what several friendly fans recommended to those just joining in: \u003c/p>\n",
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"text": "Janene Wendrick, Oakland",
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"text": "How are you feeling right now? "
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I’m feeling ready. I’m so excited that we’re in the playoffs for the second season and second time around. People thought that we just weren’t gonna make it … I’m ready to be loud in the building.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Every single game you see, you meet new friends, and you just smile. You leave happy. It doesn’t matter if we win or lose. You’re just still leaving happy.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01639_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101582\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01639_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01639_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01639_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Janene Wendrick poses for a portrait sporting a cape and purple feather mask before the Golden State Valkyries play the Dallas Wings at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"text": "If you had advice for someone going to Ballhalla for the first time, what would it be?"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you had advice for someone going to Ballhalla for the first time, what would it be?\u003c/h3>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We’re gonna welcome you. We’re going to show you all the little tips that we have for you.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I always tell someone: Don’t forget to get your free cup. Don’t forget to go to the activations. Don’t forget to go down to check out the Sephora vending machine. Don’t forget to stay in your seat … there’s so much you want to see [during the] halftime; stay in your seat.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"text": "Jodi Howard, Sunnyvale ",
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"text": "What was your favorite moment of the season?"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What was your favorite moment of the season?\u003c/h3>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“You know, Friday night’s game was terrifying, and winning that game at the very end was probably my favorite moment.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"text": "How long have you been a WNBA fan? "
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Maybe for like a year before the Valkyries. Not too long. I started following the [Las Vegas] Aces because a friend of mine loved them.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I just knew that when we were getting a team that it was something I wanted to support and get into, and it has been the best decision I’ve made in a long time, so I’ve loved it. “\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01695_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101583\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01695_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01695_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01695_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jodi Howard poses for a portrait sporting a cape and purple feather mask before the Golden State Valkyries play the Dallas Wings at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01695_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101583\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jodi Howard poses for a portrait sporting a cape and purple feather mask before the Golden State Valkyries play the Dallas Wings at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"text": "If you had advice for someone going to Ballhalla for the first time, what would it be?"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you had advice for someone going to Ballhalla for the first time, what would it be?\u003c/h3>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“You’re going to be amazed at the kindness of the fans, at the energy of the fans; it feels like nothing you’ve ever experienced.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Chase Center tip? I like the adult Slurpees. They’re delicious, but the food is really expensive — so eat before you go in.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“Chase Center tip? I like the adult Slurpees. They’re delicious, but the food is really expensive — so eat before you go in.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "Kashina Garner, San Francisco",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01792_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101585\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01792_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01792_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01792_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kashina Garner poses for a portrait sporting a cape and purple feather mask before the Golden State Valkyries play the Dallas Wings at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01792_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101585\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kashina Garner poses for a portrait sporting a cape and purple feather mask before the Golden State Valkyries play the Dallas Wings at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"attrs": {
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"text": "How are you feeling right now? "
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How are you feeling right now? \u003c/h3>\n",
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"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How are you feeling right now? \u003c/h3>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I’m feeling great. The Valkyries are No. 2 seed, so we need to just take this home … I’m feeling over the moon right now.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“I’m feeling great. The Valkyries are No. 2 seed, so we need to just take this home … I’m feeling over the moon right now.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "How long have you been a women’s basketball fan? "
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long have you been a women’s basketball fan? \u003c/h3>\n",
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"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long have you been a women’s basketball fan? \u003c/h3>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I’ve been a basketball fan for quite some time now, but I’ve really become a fan since the Valkyries became a part of the WNBA.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I’ve been a basketball fan for quite some time now, but I’ve really become a fan since the Valkyries became a part of the WNBA.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“First of all, the color is my favorite color. And just all around the environment that this, you know, the women’s empowerment and… the atmosphere that it brings, you know, it’s also amazing.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“First of all, the color is my favorite color. And just all around the environment that this, you know, the women’s empowerment and… the atmosphere that it brings, you know, it’s also amazing.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"attrs": {
"text": "Eva LaMorte, Sacramento",
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"attrs": {
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"text": "Can you tell me a bit about your outfit? "
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003cem>Can you tell me a bit about your outfit? \u003c/em>\u003c/h3>\n",
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"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003cem>Can you tell me a bit about your outfit? \u003c/em>\u003c/h3>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I was going for cutesy, sporty cutesy. I love to customize my own shoes, so I definitely went all out on my shoes today, but I would say more cutesy sporty.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“I was going for cutesy, sporty cutesy. I love to customize my own shoes, so I definitely went all out on my shoes today, but I would say more cutesy sporty.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-valkyriesplayoff1-01762_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101658\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-valkyriesplayoff1-01762_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-valkyriesplayoff1-01762_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-valkyriesplayoff1-01762_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Eva Lamorte poses for a portrait before the Golden State Valkyries play the Dallas Wings at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-valkyriesplayoff1-01762_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101658\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Eva Lamorte poses for a portrait before the Golden State Valkyries play the Dallas Wings at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"attrs": {
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"text": "How are you feeling today? "
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How are you feeling today? \u003c/h3>\n",
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"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How are you feeling today? \u003c/h3>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“This is my first playoff. I know they went last year, but it’s my first playoff game with them, so just super duper excited.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s just spending time with my daughter out here. It’s become our thing to come together, and being here with her is the best part of it.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“It’s just spending time with my daughter out here. It’s become our thing to come together, and being here with her is the best part of it.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We used to have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13989177/monarchs-sacramento-wnba-team-history\">the Sacramento Monarchs\u003c/a> out there. Now we have the Valkyries out this way. I just love women’s sports. Like, we need more of it.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“We used to have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13989177/monarchs-sacramento-wnba-team-history\">the Sacramento Monarchs\u003c/a> out there. Now we have the Valkyries out this way. I just love women’s sports. Like, we need more of it.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "If you had advice for someone going to Ballhalla for the first time, what would it be?"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you had advice for someone going to Ballhalla for the first time, what would it be?\u003c/h3>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“A lot of people are intimidated … just sit and watch. It becomes a blast.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Anywhere is a good seat; I love Ballhalla for that reason … I’ve really only ever been here for the basketball games. So whether you’re up high or up close, you’re really seeing it all.\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "WNBA playoffs have begun, and the Golden State Valkyries started strong with a win over Dallas.",
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"title": "Fans Rally at Chase Center as Valkyries Win Their First Playoff Game on Sunday | KQED",
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"headline": "Fans Rally at Chase Center as Valkyries Win Their First Playoff Game on Sunday",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/tag/golden-state-valkyries\">Golden State Valkyries\u003c/a>’ second playoff run is off to a strong start after the team won 104 to 80 against the Dallas Wings on Sunday night at home at the Chase Center in San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The night saw a packed house and major milestones for the Valkyries in a couple different ways: the team’s first playoff win ever, the highest number of points scored in the franchise’s two years and six players who hit multiple threes — the last of which made the walls of Chase Center (a.k.a. Ballhalla) rattle with the cheers of a fandom that has become well known for its passion and loyalty. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Considering the Valkyries’ debut last year brought in a whole new wave of basketball fans, KQED has guides on \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area\">how to join in on the WNBA fandom\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12101382/golden-state-valkyries-playoffs-wnba-2026-chase-center-ballhalla\">how to follow playoffs\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla#chase-center-san-francisco-parking\">how to attend a game at Chase Center\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-02241_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101590\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-02241_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-02241_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-02241_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Valkyries fans light their phones during a break at the Golden State Valkyries home opener at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>We also spoke to some of the fervent fans decked out in purple before the game to see how they are feeling about the Valkyries’ playoff chances and what advice they have for newcomers. Because, as Dallas Wings guard and WNBA fan favorite Paige Bueckers said after the game, Valkyries fans are the team’s “sixth man.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I think they have one of the best home courts in the league,” Bueckers said. “There’s not a silent voice in the crowd. So, it’s tough to play here, but as a competitor, you kind of love that and you want to embrace that environment.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Valkyries went hard during the first half of the game, leading by 21 points. After a very Bay Area halftime show that featured West Coast hip-hop legend Too $hort (much to \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SFP8iPWvR34\">the delight of Valkyries player Gabby Williams\u003c/a>), the Wings were unable to close the gap and push through the Valkyries’ defense. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-02213_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101589\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-02213_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-02213_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-02213_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans cheer for the Golden State Valkyries as they play against the Dallas Wings during their home opener at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12101581\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01348_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101581\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01348_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01348_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01348_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A fan cheers for the Golden State Valkyries as they play against the Dallas Wings during their home opener at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12101587\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01897_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101587\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01897_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01897_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01897_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A fan cheers for the Golden State Valkyries as they play against the Dallas Wings during their home opener at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Valkyries will be facing the Wings again on Wednesday, this time in Texas. In a postgame press conference, Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase — fresh off a \u003ca href=\"https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-womens-basketball-world-cup-2026\">FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup win\u003c/a> with Team USA — said she is already telling the players to start thinking about the next game. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“They’re already in recovery mode right now. I told them it was a must because tonight’s recovery is going to be so, so important,” she said in a postgame conference. “We have to really expect a Dallas Wings team that’s going to be hungry.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Next game mentality; nothing carries over from this game,” she said. “We’re already onto the next.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Prospects for the Valkyries are much better during this year’s playoffs than last year, when the freshman team, ranked eighth in the league, lost twice to the Minnesota Lynx. Now, the Valkyries are ranked second in the league and, if they beat the Wings in a best-of-three, will face either the Las Vegas Aces or the Indiana Fever.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12101586\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01811_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101586\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01811_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01811_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01811_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A fan cheers for the Golden State Valkyries as they play against the Dallas Wings during their home opener at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12101579\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-valkyriesplayoff1-01332_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101579\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-valkyriesplayoff1-01332_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-valkyriesplayoff1-01332_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-valkyriesplayoff1-01332_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A fan cheers for the Golden State Valkyries as they play against the Dallas Wings during their home opener at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season. (Tam Vu/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“That’s part of our identity, knowing I can play as hard as I can when I’m on the court, because as soon as someone else comes in, we have another burst,” Valkyries forward Williams said. “That’s just what we’ve hung our hat on all season — is our depth.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Nakase also commented on the growth of the team — and how that has been reflected in Ballhalla and the fans. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“[The crowd is] more in unison,” she said. “Our team this year is a lot more connected; you could see the whole Ballhalla community is more connected.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you are hoping to get in on the hype during this major point in the WNBA postseason, here’s what several friendly fans recommended to those just joining in: \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Janene Wendrick, Oakland\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How are you feeling right now? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I’m feeling ready. I’m so excited that we’re in the playoffs for the second season and second time around. People thought that we just weren’t gonna make it … I’m ready to be loud in the building.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What’s your favorite thing about Ballhalla? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Every single game you see, you meet new friends, and you just smile. You leave happy. It doesn’t matter if we win or lose. You’re just still leaving happy.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01639_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101582\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01639_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01639_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01639_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Janene Wendrick poses for a portrait sporting a cape and purple feather mask before the Golden State Valkyries play the Dallas Wings at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you had advice for someone going to Ballhalla for the first time, what would it be?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re gonna welcome you. We’re going to show you all the little tips that we have for you.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I always tell someone: Don’t forget to get your free cup. Don’t forget to go to the activations. Don’t forget to go down to check out the Sephora vending machine. Don’t forget to stay in your seat … there’s so much you want to see [during the] halftime; stay in your seat.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jodi Howard, Sunnyvale \u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What was your favorite moment of the season?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“You know, Friday night’s game was terrifying, and winning that game at the very end was probably my favorite moment.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long have you been a WNBA fan? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Maybe for like a year before the Valkyries. Not too long. I started following the [Las Vegas] Aces because a friend of mine loved them.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I just knew that when we were getting a team that it was something I wanted to support and get into, and it has been the best decision I’ve made in a long time, so I’ve loved it. “\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01695_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101583\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01695_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01695_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01695_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jodi Howard poses for a portrait sporting a cape and purple feather mask before the Golden State Valkyries play the Dallas Wings at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you had advice for someone going to Ballhalla for the first time, what would it be?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“You’re going to be amazed at the kindness of the fans, at the energy of the fans; it feels like nothing you’ve ever experienced.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Chase Center tip? I like the adult Slurpees. They’re delicious, but the food is really expensive — so eat before you go in.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kashina Garner, San Francisco\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01792_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101585\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01792_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01792_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-VALKYRIESPLAYOFF1-01792_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kashina Garner poses for a portrait sporting a cape and purple feather mask before the Golden State Valkyries play the Dallas Wings at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How are you feeling right now? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I’m feeling great. The Valkyries are No. 2 seed, so we need to just take this home … I’m feeling over the moon right now.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long have you been a women’s basketball fan? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I’ve been a basketball fan for quite some time now, but I’ve really become a fan since the Valkyries became a part of the WNBA.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“First of all, the color is my favorite color. And just all around the environment that this, you know, the women’s empowerment and… the atmosphere that it brings, you know, it’s also amazing.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Eva LaMorte, Sacramento\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003cem>Can you tell me a bit about your outfit? \u003c/em>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I was going for cutesy, sporty cutesy. I love to customize my own shoes, so I definitely went all out on my shoes today, but I would say more cutesy sporty.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-valkyriesplayoff1-01762_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101658\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-valkyriesplayoff1-01762_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-valkyriesplayoff1-01762_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260927-valkyriesplayoff1-01762_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Eva Lamorte poses for a portrait before the Golden State Valkyries play the Dallas Wings at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2026. The Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 in the first playoff game of the season. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How are you feeling today? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“This is my first playoff. I know they went last year, but it’s my first playoff game with them, so just super duper excited.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s just spending time with my daughter out here. It’s become our thing to come together, and being here with her is the best part of it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We used to have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13989177/monarchs-sacramento-wnba-team-history\">the Sacramento Monarchs\u003c/a> out there. Now we have the Valkyries out this way. I just love women’s sports. Like, we need more of it.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you had advice for someone going to Ballhalla for the first time, what would it be?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“A lot of people are intimidated … just sit and watch. It becomes a blast.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Anywhere is a good seat; I love Ballhalla for that reason … I’ve really only ever been here for the basketball games. So whether you’re up high or up close, you’re really seeing it all.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Everybody in the place is just incredible to be around. Anywhere you sit, not only the view, but the people.”\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"title": "‘Normalize Being Confused’: How Newer Valkyries Fans Can Follow the 2026 Playoffs",
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"headTitle": "‘Normalize Being Confused’: How Newer Valkyries Fans Can Follow the 2026 Playoffs | KQED",
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"content": "\n\u003cp>Get ready to read the word “second” a bunch of times: because for the second year in a row — during its second \u003cem>year \u003c/em>as a team — the Valkyries have made it to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/wnba\">WNBA\u003c/a> playoffs. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It’s been a strong sophomore season for the Valkyries, who are, as of publication, \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/standings\">ranked — you guessed it — second in the WNBA\u003c/a> out of 15 teams.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The success has become a major point of pride for the region. In fact, to mark the occasion, San Francisco, Oakland and San José city halls will have \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/golden-state-valkyries-announce-violet-day-on-september-25-20260915\">flag-raising ceremonies\u003c/a> to celebrate the Valkyries. Local businesses across the region will also be marking \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/Ddt5nGMGhtM/?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&img_index=1\">“Violet Day” on Friday with giveaways\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260925-VioletDay-NG-16-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101439\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260925-VioletDay-NG-16-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260925-VioletDay-NG-16-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260925-VioletDay-NG-16-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A Golden State Valkyries flag flies outside San Francisco City Hall in San Francisco ahead of the Valkyries playoff push on Sept. 25, 2026. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>With the playoffs officially starting on Sunday, read on to find out where you can follow the game in the coming weeks, whether on TV, at bars or at San Francisco’s Chase Center — also known as “Ballhalla.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And if you are new to the whole basketball thing, don’t worry: We got you. KQED has a guide to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area\">joining the WNBA fandom in the Bay\u003c/a> and what to know about \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla\">the Valkyries’ inaugural year\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>You can also watch KQED host Brian Watt speak to journalist Erin Lim about the passionate Bay Area fandom on an episode of \u003cem>The B-Segment. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B_tlq18u5Q\">\u003cem>What makes the Valkyries’ Ballhalla magical? | The B-Segment with Brian Watt\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">First off: What \u003cem>are \u003c/em>playoffs in the WNBA?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>After a regular season of basketball, the top eight WNBA teams then compete in a tournament. The \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/standings\">team standings\u003c/a> are:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003col class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>Minnesota Lynx\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Golden State Valkyries\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Las Vegas Aces\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Atlanta Dream\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Washington Mystics\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Indiana Fever\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Dallas Wings\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>New York Liberty\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ol>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Dates and times are subject to change — or even canceled altogether — depending on how the games go, but \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/schedule?season=2026&month=all\">the tentative schedule\u003c/a> can be found on the WNBA’s website. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Why is the schedule so up in the air? It’s because in the first round, the highest-seeded teams face the lowest-seeded teams in a best-of-three series. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That means on Sunday, Sept. 27, the Valkyries are \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/game/1042600111\">slated to play the Dallas Wings at 6 p.m.\u003c/a> in Chase Center. The next game is on Sept. 30, in Texas — but if the Valkyries win their first two matchups, their third game (which would have been at Chase Center again) won’t happen on Oct. 2.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the second round, the four remaining teams play a best-of-five series. In the finals, the last two teams compete in a best-of-five series for the championship.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>You may see a “2-2-1-1-1” structure referred to in sports coverage, which designates \u003cem>where \u003c/em>the games are played.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The first “2” means the first two games are played on the stronger team’s home court. The next “2” means the following two games are played on the weaker team’s home court — and so on.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As “Valkyries Say Less” fan podcast co-host Raina Mast \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12055670/golden-state-valkyries-where-to-watch-the-wnba-playoffs-in-the-san-francisco-bay-area-online-on-tv-and-at-bars\">told KQED in 2025\u003c/a>, the Valkyries “have really attracted people [who] have never even watched basketball.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“And so there’s a learning curve,” Mast said. “Normalize being confused. The structure is confusing.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where can I watch the WNBA playoff games?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch the games at home\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The WNBA website has \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/schedule?season=2026&month=all\">a list of ways to watch each playoff game\u003c/a>, since it can change for specific matches. Networks include: \u003ca href=\"https://abc.com/news/885ccd3c-eb6f-40ad-b413-6b1cdd6f4eff/category/1138628\">ABC\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.primevideo.com/tournament/amzn1.dv.icid.46eeb3cd-6c34-4f79-be02-708f4b51fb71\">Prime\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.usanetwork.com/usa-insider/2026-wnba-schedule-how-to-watch-on-usa-network-online-streaming\">USA\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.peacocktv.com/sports/wnba\">NBC/Peacock\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/where-to-watch/leagues/wnba\">ESPN and ESPN2\u003c/a>.\u003cbr>\u003cbr>You can also get access to the channels through platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://tv.youtube.com/learn/wnba/\">YouTube TV\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.fubo.tv/welcome\">Fubo\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/leaguepass?plan=annual\">WNBA League Pass\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch the games in person\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Single-game tickets and playoff packs are available on \u003ca href=\"http://valkyries.wnba.com/tickets\">the Valkyries’ website\u003c/a> — although keep in mind, some of these future games might not even happen if the Valkyries don’t do well in the first two games.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>You should expect some high price tags — for \u003ca href=\"https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1C006529C5BD3421?brand=valkyries&artistid=3369949&wt.mc_id=WNBA_TEAM_GS_R1_A_PLAYOFFS_SGT_PG&utm_source=WNBA.com&utm_medium=client_PM&utm_campaign=WNBA_TEAM_GS&utm_content=R1_A_PLAYOFFS_SGT_PG\">the guaranteed Sunday, Sept. 27 game\u003c/a>, the tickets range from $124 to over $800. However, there are some standing\u003cem>–\u003c/em>room tickets (meaning you don’t get a chair) around the $65 to $80 range.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/092526-VioletDaySJ-04-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101442\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/092526-VioletDaySJ-04-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/092526-VioletDaySJ-04-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/092526-VioletDaySJ-04-MC-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Deanna, Raymond and Serenity Cheng celebrate at a press conference ahead of The Golden State Valkyries’ second playoff run on Violet Day outside of San José City Hall in San José on Sept. 25, 2026. (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Along with getting to enjoy the electrifying vibes of Ballhalla, there’ll also be a halftime performance by Bay Area rapper Too $hort and free violet T-shirts. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It’ll be the first time that playoffs will be held at Chase Center. Last year, the team had to move to San José’s SAP Center due to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12055670/golden-state-valkyries-where-to-watch-the-wnba-playoffs-in-the-san-francisco-bay-area-online-on-tv-and-at-bars\">a conflict with a tennis event\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>KQED has a thorough guide on \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla#chase-center-san-francisco-parking\">how to attend a Valkyries game at Chase Center\u003c/a>, including transportation, parking and bag policy. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch the game at a bar\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Unable to secure a ticket? You’re in luck: There are a \u003cem>lot \u003c/em>of bars and watch parties in the Bay that have historically shown Valkyries games, as detailed in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area#basketball\">KQED’s guide about the WNBA season\u003c/a> — which also includes a map from sports journalist Maya Goldberg-Safir of key places to meet other fans. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Some spots include:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>Events hosted by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valqueeries/\">ValQueeries\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Events hosted by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thepeopleswatchparty/\">The People’s Watch Party\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Events hosted by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/hysteriasportsbar/\">Hysteria\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">Rikki’s\u003c/a> in San Francisco\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.mothersf.com/\">Mother\u003c/a> in San Francisco\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.standarddeviantbrewing.com/\">Standard Deviant Brewing\u003c/a> in San Francisco\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/georgeandwaltsbar/?hl=en\">George & Walt’s\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://xingones.com/\">Xingones Cantina\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.oaklandathleticclub.com/\">Oakland Athletic Club\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.rookieslodge.com/\">Rookie’s Sports Lodge\u003c/a> in San José\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://chasecenter.com/thrive-city/\">Thrive City\u003c/a> — the outdoor venue outside Chase Center — \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/valkyries-playoffs-watch-party-presented-by-kaiser-permanente-tickets-2001627556905?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">will be showing the away game on Sept. 30\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>A \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/valkyries-playoff-away-game-viewing-party-tickets-2002171625228\">watch party at Dirty Habit\u003c/a> in San Francisco\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The team’s own website also has a \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/bar-network\">list of bars in the Bay\u003c/a> to go to for Valkyries games.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The success has become a major point of pride for the region. In fact, to mark the occasion, San Francisco, Oakland and San José city halls will have \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/golden-state-valkyries-announce-violet-day-on-september-25-20260915\">flag-raising ceremonies\u003c/a> to celebrate the Valkyries. Local businesses across the region will also be marking \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/Ddt5nGMGhtM/?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&img_index=1\">“Violet Day” on Friday with giveaways\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The success has become a major point of pride for the region. In fact, to mark the occasion, San Francisco, Oakland and San José city halls will have \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/golden-state-valkyries-announce-violet-day-on-september-25-20260915\">flag-raising ceremonies\u003c/a> to celebrate the Valkyries. Local businesses across the region will also be marking \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/Ddt5nGMGhtM/?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&img_index=1\">“Violet Day” on Friday with giveaways\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And if you are new to the whole basketball thing, don’t worry: We got you. KQED has a guide to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area\">joining the WNBA fandom in the Bay\u003c/a> and what to know about \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla\">the Valkyries’ inaugural year\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>You can also watch KQED host Brian Watt speak to journalist Erin Lim about the passionate Bay Area fandom on an episode of \u003cem>The B-Segment. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>You can also watch KQED host Brian Watt speak to journalist Erin Lim about the passionate Bay Area fandom on an episode of \u003cem>The B-Segment. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "First off: What are playoffs in the WNBA?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>After a regular season of basketball, the top eight WNBA teams then compete in a tournament. The \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/standings\">team standings\u003c/a> are:\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>After a regular season of basketball, the top eight WNBA teams then compete in a tournament. The \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/standings\">team standings\u003c/a> are:\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Dates and times are subject to change — or even canceled altogether — depending on how the games go, but \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/schedule?season=2026&month=all\">the tentative schedule\u003c/a> can be found on the WNBA’s website. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Why is the schedule so up in the air? It’s because in the first round, the highest-seeded teams face the lowest-seeded teams in a best-of-three series. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That means on Sunday, Sept. 27, the Valkyries are \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/game/1042600111\">slated to play the Dallas Wings at 6 p.m.\u003c/a> in Chase Center. The next game is on Sept. 30, in Texas — but if the Valkyries win their first two matchups, their third game (which would have been at Chase Center again) won’t happen on Oct. 2.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>That means on Sunday, Sept. 27, the Valkyries are \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/game/1042600111\">slated to play the Dallas Wings at 6 p.m.\u003c/a> in Chase Center. The next game is on Sept. 30, in Texas — but if the Valkyries win their first two matchups, their third game (which would have been at Chase Center again) won’t happen on Oct. 2.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In the second round, the four remaining teams play a best-of-five series. In the finals, the last two teams compete in a best-of-five series for the championship.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In the second round, the four remaining teams play a best-of-five series. In the finals, the last two teams compete in a best-of-five series for the championship.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>You may see a “2-2-1-1-1” structure referred to in sports coverage, which designates \u003cem>where \u003c/em>the games are played.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>You may see a “2-2-1-1-1” structure referred to in sports coverage, which designates \u003cem>where \u003c/em>the games are played.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The first “2” means the first two games are played on the stronger team’s home court. The next “2” means the following two games are played on the weaker team’s home court — and so on.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The first “2” means the first two games are played on the stronger team’s home court. The next “2” means the following two games are played on the weaker team’s home court — and so on.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>As “Valkyries Say Less” fan podcast co-host Raina Mast \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12055670/golden-state-valkyries-where-to-watch-the-wnba-playoffs-in-the-san-francisco-bay-area-online-on-tv-and-at-bars\">told KQED in 2025\u003c/a>, the Valkyries “have really attracted people [who] have never even watched basketball.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>As “Valkyries Say Less” fan podcast co-host Raina Mast \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12055670/golden-state-valkyries-where-to-watch-the-wnba-playoffs-in-the-san-francisco-bay-area-online-on-tv-and-at-bars\">told KQED in 2025\u003c/a>, the Valkyries “have really attracted people [who] have never even watched basketball.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“And so there’s a learning curve,” Mast said. “Normalize being confused. The structure is confusing.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“And so there’s a learning curve,” Mast said. “Normalize being confused. The structure is confusing.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Where can I watch the WNBA playoff games?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where can I watch the WNBA playoff games?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"blockName": "core/heading",
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"text": "Watch the games at home"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch the games at home\u003c/h3>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The WNBA website has \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/schedule?season=2026&month=all\">a list of ways to watch each playoff game\u003c/a>, since it can change for specific matches. Networks include: \u003ca href=\"https://abc.com/news/885ccd3c-eb6f-40ad-b413-6b1cdd6f4eff/category/1138628\">ABC\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.primevideo.com/tournament/amzn1.dv.icid.46eeb3cd-6c34-4f79-be02-708f4b51fb71\">Prime\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.usanetwork.com/usa-insider/2026-wnba-schedule-how-to-watch-on-usa-network-online-streaming\">USA\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.peacocktv.com/sports/wnba\">NBC/Peacock\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/where-to-watch/leagues/wnba\">ESPN and ESPN2\u003c/a>.\u003cbr>\u003cbr>You can also get access to the channels through platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://tv.youtube.com/learn/wnba/\">YouTube TV\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.fubo.tv/welcome\">Fubo\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/leaguepass?plan=annual\">WNBA League Pass\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The WNBA website has \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/schedule?season=2026&month=all\">a list of ways to watch each playoff game\u003c/a>, since it can change for specific matches. Networks include: \u003ca href=\"https://abc.com/news/885ccd3c-eb6f-40ad-b413-6b1cdd6f4eff/category/1138628\">ABC\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.primevideo.com/tournament/amzn1.dv.icid.46eeb3cd-6c34-4f79-be02-708f4b51fb71\">Prime\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.usanetwork.com/usa-insider/2026-wnba-schedule-how-to-watch-on-usa-network-online-streaming\">USA\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.peacocktv.com/sports/wnba\">NBC/Peacock\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/where-to-watch/leagues/wnba\">ESPN and ESPN2\u003c/a>.\u003cbr>\u003cbr>You can also get access to the channels through platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://tv.youtube.com/learn/wnba/\">YouTube TV\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.fubo.tv/welcome\">Fubo\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/leaguepass?plan=annual\">WNBA League Pass\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"attrs": {
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch the games in person\u003c/h3>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Single-game tickets and playoff packs are available on \u003ca href=\"http://valkyries.wnba.com/tickets\">the Valkyries’ website\u003c/a> — although keep in mind, some of these future games might not even happen if the Valkyries don’t do well in the first two games.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Single-game tickets and playoff packs are available on \u003ca href=\"http://valkyries.wnba.com/tickets\">the Valkyries’ website\u003c/a> — although keep in mind, some of these future games might not even happen if the Valkyries don’t do well in the first two games.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>You should expect some high price tags — for \u003ca href=\"https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1C006529C5BD3421?brand=valkyries&artistid=3369949&wt.mc_id=WNBA_TEAM_GS_R1_A_PLAYOFFS_SGT_PG&utm_source=WNBA.com&utm_medium=client_PM&utm_campaign=WNBA_TEAM_GS&utm_content=R1_A_PLAYOFFS_SGT_PG\">the guaranteed Sunday, Sept. 27 game\u003c/a>, the tickets range from $124 to over $800. However, there are some standing\u003cem>–\u003c/em>room tickets (meaning you don’t get a chair) around the $65 to $80 range.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>You should expect some high price tags — for \u003ca href=\"https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1C006529C5BD3421?brand=valkyries&artistid=3369949&wt.mc_id=WNBA_TEAM_GS_R1_A_PLAYOFFS_SGT_PG&utm_source=WNBA.com&utm_medium=client_PM&utm_campaign=WNBA_TEAM_GS&utm_content=R1_A_PLAYOFFS_SGT_PG\">the guaranteed Sunday, Sept. 27 game\u003c/a>, the tickets range from $124 to over $800. However, there are some standing\u003cem>–\u003c/em>room tickets (meaning you don’t get a chair) around the $65 to $80 range.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/092526-VioletDaySJ-04-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101442\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/092526-VioletDaySJ-04-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/092526-VioletDaySJ-04-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/092526-VioletDaySJ-04-MC-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Deanna, Raymond and Serenity Cheng celebrate at a press conference ahead of The Golden State Valkyries’ second playoff run on Violet Day outside of San José City Hall in San José on Sept. 25, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/092526-VioletDaySJ-04-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101442\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Deanna, Raymond and Serenity Cheng celebrate at a press conference ahead of The Golden State Valkyries’ second playoff run on Violet Day outside of San José City Hall in San José on Sept. 25, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Along with getting to enjoy the electrifying vibes of Ballhalla, there’ll also be a halftime performance by Bay Area rapper Too $hort and free violet T-shirts. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Along with getting to enjoy the electrifying vibes of Ballhalla, there’ll also be a halftime performance by Bay Area rapper Too $hort and free violet T-shirts. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>It’ll be the first time that playoffs will be held at Chase Center. Last year, the team had to move to San José’s SAP Center due to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12055670/golden-state-valkyries-where-to-watch-the-wnba-playoffs-in-the-san-francisco-bay-area-online-on-tv-and-at-bars\">a conflict with a tennis event\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>It’ll be the first time that playoffs will be held at Chase Center. Last year, the team had to move to San José’s SAP Center due to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12055670/golden-state-valkyries-where-to-watch-the-wnba-playoffs-in-the-san-francisco-bay-area-online-on-tv-and-at-bars\">a conflict with a tennis event\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>KQED has a thorough guide on \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla#chase-center-san-francisco-parking\">how to attend a Valkyries game at Chase Center\u003c/a>, including transportation, parking and bag policy. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>KQED has a thorough guide on \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla#chase-center-san-francisco-parking\">how to attend a Valkyries game at Chase Center\u003c/a>, including transportation, parking and bag policy. \u003c/p>\n"
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"attrs": {
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"text": "Watch the game at a bar"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch the game at a bar\u003c/h3>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Unable to secure a ticket? You’re in luck: There are a \u003cem>lot \u003c/em>of bars and watch parties in the Bay that have historically shown Valkyries games, as detailed in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area#basketball\">KQED’s guide about the WNBA season\u003c/a> — which also includes a map from sports journalist Maya Goldberg-Safir of key places to meet other fans. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Unable to secure a ticket? You’re in luck: There are a \u003cem>lot \u003c/em>of bars and watch parties in the Bay that have historically shown Valkyries games, as detailed in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area#basketball\">KQED’s guide about the WNBA season\u003c/a> — which also includes a map from sports journalist Maya Goldberg-Safir of key places to meet other fans. \u003c/p>\n"
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"Rikki’s in San Francisco",
"Mother in San Francisco",
"Standard Deviant Brewing in San Francisco",
"George & Walt’s in Oakland",
"Xingones Cantina in Oakland",
"Oakland Athletic Club in Oakland",
"Rookie’s Sports Lodge in San José",
"Thrive City — the outdoor venue outside Chase Center — will be showing the away game on Sept. 30",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Events hosted by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valqueeries/\">ValQueeries\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Events hosted by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thepeopleswatchparty/\">The People’s Watch Party\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Events hosted by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/hysteriasportsbar/\">Hysteria\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">Rikki’s\u003c/a> in San Francisco\u003c/li>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.mothersf.com/\">Mother\u003c/a> in San Francisco\u003c/li>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.standarddeviantbrewing.com/\">Standard Deviant Brewing\u003c/a> in San Francisco\u003c/li>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/georgeandwaltsbar/?hl=en\">George & Walt’s\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/georgeandwaltsbar/?hl=en\">George & Walt’s\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://xingones.com/\">Xingones Cantina\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://xingones.com/\">Xingones Cantina\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.oaklandathleticclub.com/\">Oakland Athletic Club\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.rookieslodge.com/\">Rookie’s Sports Lodge\u003c/a> in San José\u003c/li>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://chasecenter.com/thrive-city/\">Thrive City\u003c/a> — the outdoor venue outside Chase Center — \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/valkyries-playoffs-watch-party-presented-by-kaiser-permanente-tickets-2001627556905?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">will be showing the away game on Sept. 30\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://chasecenter.com/thrive-city/\">Thrive City\u003c/a> — the outdoor venue outside Chase Center — \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/valkyries-playoffs-watch-party-presented-by-kaiser-permanente-tickets-2001627556905?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">will be showing the away game on Sept. 30\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>A \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/valkyries-playoff-away-game-viewing-party-tickets-2002171625228\">watch party at Dirty Habit\u003c/a> in San Francisco\u003c/li>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The team’s own website also has a \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/bar-network\">list of bars in the Bay\u003c/a> to go to for Valkyries games.\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "For the second year in a row, the Golden State Valkyries have made it to the playoffs. Here’s how you can follow the team in the Bay Area.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>Get ready to read the word “second” a bunch of times: because for the second year in a row — during its second \u003cem>year \u003c/em>as a team — the Valkyries have made it to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/wnba\">WNBA\u003c/a> playoffs. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It’s been a strong sophomore season for the Valkyries, who are, as of publication, \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/standings\">ranked — you guessed it — second in the WNBA\u003c/a> out of 15 teams.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The success has become a major point of pride for the region. In fact, to mark the occasion, San Francisco, Oakland and San José city halls will have \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/golden-state-valkyries-announce-violet-day-on-september-25-20260915\">flag-raising ceremonies\u003c/a> to celebrate the Valkyries. Local businesses across the region will also be marking \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/Ddt5nGMGhtM/?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&img_index=1\">“Violet Day” on Friday with giveaways\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260925-VioletDay-NG-16-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101439\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260925-VioletDay-NG-16-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260925-VioletDay-NG-16-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/260925-VioletDay-NG-16-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A Golden State Valkyries flag flies outside San Francisco City Hall in San Francisco ahead of the Valkyries playoff push on Sept. 25, 2026. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>With the playoffs officially starting on Sunday, read on to find out where you can follow the game in the coming weeks, whether on TV, at bars or at San Francisco’s Chase Center — also known as “Ballhalla.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And if you are new to the whole basketball thing, don’t worry: We got you. KQED has a guide to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area\">joining the WNBA fandom in the Bay\u003c/a> and what to know about \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla\">the Valkyries’ inaugural year\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>You can also watch KQED host Brian Watt speak to journalist Erin Lim about the passionate Bay Area fandom on an episode of \u003cem>The B-Segment. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B_tlq18u5Q\">\u003cem>What makes the Valkyries’ Ballhalla magical? | The B-Segment with Brian Watt\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">First off: What \u003cem>are \u003c/em>playoffs in the WNBA?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>After a regular season of basketball, the top eight WNBA teams then compete in a tournament. The \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/standings\">team standings\u003c/a> are:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003col class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>Minnesota Lynx\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Golden State Valkyries\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Las Vegas Aces\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Atlanta Dream\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Washington Mystics\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Indiana Fever\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Dallas Wings\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>New York Liberty\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ol>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Dates and times are subject to change — or even canceled altogether — depending on how the games go, but \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/schedule?season=2026&month=all\">the tentative schedule\u003c/a> can be found on the WNBA’s website. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Why is the schedule so up in the air? It’s because in the first round, the highest-seeded teams face the lowest-seeded teams in a best-of-three series. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That means on Sunday, Sept. 27, the Valkyries are \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/game/1042600111\">slated to play the Dallas Wings at 6 p.m.\u003c/a> in Chase Center. The next game is on Sept. 30, in Texas — but if the Valkyries win their first two matchups, their third game (which would have been at Chase Center again) won’t happen on Oct. 2.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the second round, the four remaining teams play a best-of-five series. In the finals, the last two teams compete in a best-of-five series for the championship.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>You may see a “2-2-1-1-1” structure referred to in sports coverage, which designates \u003cem>where \u003c/em>the games are played.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The first “2” means the first two games are played on the stronger team’s home court. The next “2” means the following two games are played on the weaker team’s home court — and so on.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As “Valkyries Say Less” fan podcast co-host Raina Mast \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12055670/golden-state-valkyries-where-to-watch-the-wnba-playoffs-in-the-san-francisco-bay-area-online-on-tv-and-at-bars\">told KQED in 2025\u003c/a>, the Valkyries “have really attracted people [who] have never even watched basketball.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“And so there’s a learning curve,” Mast said. “Normalize being confused. The structure is confusing.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where can I watch the WNBA playoff games?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch the games at home\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The WNBA website has \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/schedule?season=2026&month=all\">a list of ways to watch each playoff game\u003c/a>, since it can change for specific matches. Networks include: \u003ca href=\"https://abc.com/news/885ccd3c-eb6f-40ad-b413-6b1cdd6f4eff/category/1138628\">ABC\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.primevideo.com/tournament/amzn1.dv.icid.46eeb3cd-6c34-4f79-be02-708f4b51fb71\">Prime\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.usanetwork.com/usa-insider/2026-wnba-schedule-how-to-watch-on-usa-network-online-streaming\">USA\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.peacocktv.com/sports/wnba\">NBC/Peacock\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/where-to-watch/leagues/wnba\">ESPN and ESPN2\u003c/a>.\u003cbr>\u003cbr>You can also get access to the channels through platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://tv.youtube.com/learn/wnba/\">YouTube TV\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.fubo.tv/welcome\">Fubo\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/leaguepass?plan=annual\">WNBA League Pass\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch the games in person\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Single-game tickets and playoff packs are available on \u003ca href=\"http://valkyries.wnba.com/tickets\">the Valkyries’ website\u003c/a> — although keep in mind, some of these future games might not even happen if the Valkyries don’t do well in the first two games.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>You should expect some high price tags — for \u003ca href=\"https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1C006529C5BD3421?brand=valkyries&artistid=3369949&wt.mc_id=WNBA_TEAM_GS_R1_A_PLAYOFFS_SGT_PG&utm_source=WNBA.com&utm_medium=client_PM&utm_campaign=WNBA_TEAM_GS&utm_content=R1_A_PLAYOFFS_SGT_PG\">the guaranteed Sunday, Sept. 27 game\u003c/a>, the tickets range from $124 to over $800. However, there are some standing\u003cem>–\u003c/em>room tickets (meaning you don’t get a chair) around the $65 to $80 range.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/092526-VioletDaySJ-04-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12101442\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/092526-VioletDaySJ-04-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/092526-VioletDaySJ-04-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/092526-VioletDaySJ-04-MC-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Deanna, Raymond and Serenity Cheng celebrate at a press conference ahead of The Golden State Valkyries’ second playoff run on Violet Day outside of San José City Hall in San José on Sept. 25, 2026. (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Along with getting to enjoy the electrifying vibes of Ballhalla, there’ll also be a halftime performance by Bay Area rapper Too $hort and free violet T-shirts. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It’ll be the first time that playoffs will be held at Chase Center. Last year, the team had to move to San José’s SAP Center due to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12055670/golden-state-valkyries-where-to-watch-the-wnba-playoffs-in-the-san-francisco-bay-area-online-on-tv-and-at-bars\">a conflict with a tennis event\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>KQED has a thorough guide on \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla#chase-center-san-francisco-parking\">how to attend a Valkyries game at Chase Center\u003c/a>, including transportation, parking and bag policy. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch the game at a bar\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Unable to secure a ticket? You’re in luck: There are a \u003cem>lot \u003c/em>of bars and watch parties in the Bay that have historically shown Valkyries games, as detailed in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area#basketball\">KQED’s guide about the WNBA season\u003c/a> — which also includes a map from sports journalist Maya Goldberg-Safir of key places to meet other fans. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Some spots include:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>Events hosted by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valqueeries/\">ValQueeries\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Events hosted by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thepeopleswatchparty/\">The People’s Watch Party\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Events hosted by \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/hysteriasportsbar/\">Hysteria\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">Rikki’s\u003c/a> in San Francisco\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.mothersf.com/\">Mother\u003c/a> in San Francisco\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.standarddeviantbrewing.com/\">Standard Deviant Brewing\u003c/a> in San Francisco\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/georgeandwaltsbar/?hl=en\">George & Walt’s\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://xingones.com/\">Xingones Cantina\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.oaklandathleticclub.com/\">Oakland Athletic Club\u003c/a> in Oakland\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.rookieslodge.com/\">Rookie’s Sports Lodge\u003c/a> in San José\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://chasecenter.com/thrive-city/\">Thrive City\u003c/a> — the outdoor venue outside Chase Center — \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/valkyries-playoffs-watch-party-presented-by-kaiser-permanente-tickets-2001627556905?aff=ebdssbdestsearch\">will be showing the away game on Sept. 30\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>A \u003ca href=\"https://www.eventbrite.com/e/valkyries-playoff-away-game-viewing-party-tickets-2002171625228\">watch party at Dirty Habit\u003c/a> in San Francisco\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The team’s own website also has a \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/bar-network\">list of bars in the Bay\u003c/a> to go to for Valkyries games.\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"title": "Looking to Save at 49ers Games This Season? These Fans Have Ideas",
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"headTitle": "Looking to Save at 49ers Games This Season? These Fans Have Ideas | KQED",
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"content": "\n\u003cp>It’s been a fantastic start to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/football\">football\u003c/a> season in the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>With quarterback Brock Purdy leading the team to \u003ca href=\"https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-defeat-dolphins-35-13-in-home-opener-takeaways-from-miavssf\">a smashing victory\u003c/a> over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers are revving up for this season’s second home game on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If we can avoid injuries, we’ve got a good season ahead of us,” 49ers follower and San Francisco resident Hari Kumar said, capturing the thoughts of many fans.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But what Kumar and others aren’t too excited about is how much seats are going for this season. Seats in the nosebleed section for this weekend’s game against the Cardinals are averaging north of $150.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/GettyImages-2255009703-scaled-e1769191193398.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12070880\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An aerial view of Levi’s Stadium on Dec.3, 2025, in Santa Clara, California. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If I want to splurge on a nicer seat, I’m looking at a ticket of over $300,” Kumar said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A recent \u003ca href=\"https://www.actionnetwork.com/nfl/the-cheapest-and-most-expensive-nfl-stadiums-for-families-in-2026\">study\u003c/a> by sports betting news site Action Network compared ticket prices, parking and other expenses at pro football stadiums nationwide and found that the average cost for a family of four to watch a game at Levi’s Stadium was a whopping $1,778.56. (The most expensive stadium? A visit to Highmark Stadium to cheer on the Buffalo Bills costs an average of $2,193.95).\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The 49ers did not respond to KQED’s requests on what fan discounts are available this season, so we reached out to Niners faithful on what \u003cem>they \u003c/em>do to cut down costs when making the trip to Santa Clara. And while options are limited, there are a few recommendations out there that don’t require buying a season pass.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How you could potentially save money on tickets\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Unlike \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089894/how-to-watch-bay-area-baseball-on-a-budget\">other Bay Area teams\u003c/a>, the 49ers have very limited promotional offers for discounted tickets. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Fans can usually watch their team at Levi’s Stadium for a few dozen bucks during the summer for \u003ca href=\"https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-announce-2026-open-training-camp-schedule\">open training camp\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But during the regular season, when those prices go way up, some Niners faithful become very savvy navigating ticket resale sites.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1320\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2264385459.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12085301\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2264385459.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2264385459-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2264385459-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Ticketmaster logo is displayed on a smartphone screen in this photo illustration in Brussels, Belgium, on March 5, 2026. (Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Kumar compares ticket prices on TickPick, SeatGeek and Ticketmaster. But what helps him a lot in the long run, he said, is buying tickets on sites that offer cash back rebates if he pays with his credit card.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Sometimes there’ll be a 5% or 10% back on SeatGeek or Gametime,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Another site Kumar said he logs into is cash-back marketplace Rakuten, which scans partner sites like Ticketmaster for tickets. Once you make the purchase, Rakuten sends you a small portion of your ticket cost as cash, helping lower the total cost of your tickets.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One more option to consider: your credit card’s rewards program. Some credit cards offer members the opportunity to trade in their points for experiences — which can (occasionally) include tickets to a football game.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How you could save money on parking at the stadium \u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>At Levi’s Stadium, just “getting in and out of the parking lot for an event is a lot of time and money,” 49ers fan and San Diego resident Erik Espinoza said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Even though he lives in Southern California, Espinoza still travels to Levi’s a few times each season. And to avoid parking at the stadium, he looks for spots in neighborhoods a walking distance from the stadium. Many streets will have signs that explicitly block game-day parking, but some homes or businesses may actually even be selling their spots to fans.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I want to be mindful of the communities I’m parking in,” he said. “If it looks congested or crowded, I won’t add my car in that area.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1260\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/GettyImages-1278485677-scaled-e1790096064441.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12100912\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An exterior view of the stadium prior to the Philadelphia Eagles v San Francisco 49ers game at Levi’s Stadium on Oct. 4, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Even though it may take a little extra time, walking to the stadium becomes a whole experience in itself, Espinoza said. “There’s crowds of people that you’re walking with through the streets and everyone has their Niners gear on,” he said. “It’s like a sea of red.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Other fans use the booking website SpotHero to find spots far away from the stadium and take public transit to the game from there.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For this Sunday’s game, the page lists several garages in downtown San José that will charge you \u003ca href=\"https://spothero.com/search?kind=destination&id=71686&destination_id=71686&starts=2026-09-27T12%3A00&ends=2026-09-27T17%3A00&view=dl&hide_event_modal=true\">less than $20\u003c/a> for a 5-hour reservation. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While parking all the way in San José sounds like a trek, keep in mind that VTA has a \u003ca href=\"https://www.vta.org/sites/default/files/2020-01/LR-Map-2020.pdf\">direct light rail route\u003c/a> from this area to Levi’s Stadium.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you choose not to park in San José, you can also look for free parking in Mountain View or even further up the peninsula and hop on Caltrain — \u003cem>then \u003c/em>transfer to the VTA light rail.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A single VTA adult fare is $2.50, and Caltrain ticket prices vary by how far you’re traveling: Coming from San Francisco will cost $10.75, while a trip from Redwood City will be $6.25.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And if you get around places on your bicycle, remember that Levi’s Stadium has a complimentary bicycle valet service located in Red Lot 1 and Green Lot 1. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bike drop-off begins three hours before the start of the game, and you must pick up your ride within the hour after the game ends.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How you could save money during the game itself\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Putting down almost $20 for a stadium beer? Yes, that’s definitely possible at a game. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So while Levi’s Stadium may boast dozens of concession stands that include some pretty mouthwatering bites (pulled pork nachos, anyone?), some fans commit to saving the cash by eating before heading to the game.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/GettyImages-2176377146-scaled-e1790096149223.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12100919\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans were greeted with lots of cold beverage options as they arrived before the San Francisco 49ers played the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Others just bring their lunch with them. “I normally don’t spend too much on concessions,” Kumar from San Francisco said. “I like to pick up a sandwich or something, and save that way.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And here’s the thing: According to the stadium’s \u003ca href=\"https://levisstadium.com/stadium-az-guide/\">visitor policy\u003c/a>, you \u003cem>can \u003c/em>bring outside food — “as long as it is placed in clear plastic wrappings or bags that comply with the NFL bag policy.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Any fruit you bring has to be “cut into smaller pieces,” according to the stadium. And while you can also bring water bottles, they must be sealed (as in, not yet opened) — or if they’re \u003ca href=\"https://levisstadium.com/guest-services/permitted-prohibited-list/\">reusable\u003c/a>, they’ll have to be transparent, smaller than 24 ounces and, of course, contain no alcohol.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/GettyImages-2255009703-scaled-e1769191193398.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12070880\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An aerial view of Levi’s Stadium on Dec.3, 2025, in Santa Clara, California.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Unlike \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089894/how-to-watch-bay-area-baseball-on-a-budget\">other Bay Area teams\u003c/a>, the 49ers have very limited promotional offers for discounted tickets. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Fans can usually watch their team at Levi’s Stadium for a few dozen bucks during the summer for \u003ca href=\"https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-announce-2026-open-training-camp-schedule\">open training camp\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2264385459.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12085301\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2264385459.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2264385459-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2264385459-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Ticketmaster logo is displayed on a smartphone screen in this photo illustration in Brussels, Belgium, on March 5, 2026. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Kumar compares ticket prices on TickPick, SeatGeek and Ticketmaster. But what helps him a lot in the long run, he said, is buying tickets on sites that offer cash back rebates if he pays with his credit card.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Kumar compares ticket prices on TickPick, SeatGeek and Ticketmaster. But what helps him a lot in the long run, he said, is buying tickets on sites that offer cash back rebates if he pays with his credit card.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Sometimes there’ll be a 5% or 10% back on SeatGeek or Gametime,” he said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“Sometimes there’ll be a 5% or 10% back on SeatGeek or Gametime,” he said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Another site Kumar said he logs into is cash-back marketplace Rakuten, which scans partner sites like Ticketmaster for tickets. Once you make the purchase, Rakuten sends you a small portion of your ticket cost as cash, helping lower the total cost of your tickets.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Another site Kumar said he logs into is cash-back marketplace Rakuten, which scans partner sites like Ticketmaster for tickets. Once you make the purchase, Rakuten sends you a small portion of your ticket cost as cash, helping lower the total cost of your tickets.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>One more option to consider: your credit card’s rewards program. Some credit cards offer members the opportunity to trade in their points for experiences — which can (occasionally) include tickets to a football game.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>One more option to consider: your credit card’s rewards program. Some credit cards offer members the opportunity to trade in their points for experiences — which can (occasionally) include tickets to a football game.\u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "How you could save money on parking at the stadium ",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>At Levi’s Stadium, just “getting in and out of the parking lot for an event is a lot of time and money,” 49ers fan and San Diego resident Erik Espinoza said.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>At Levi’s Stadium, just “getting in and out of the parking lot for an event is a lot of time and money,” 49ers fan and San Diego resident Erik Espinoza said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Even though he lives in Southern California, Espinoza still travels to Levi’s a few times each season. And to avoid parking at the stadium, he looks for spots in neighborhoods a walking distance from the stadium. Many streets will have signs that explicitly block game-day parking, but some homes or businesses may actually even be selling their spots to fans.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Even though he lives in Southern California, Espinoza still travels to Levi’s a few times each season. And to avoid parking at the stadium, he looks for spots in neighborhoods a walking distance from the stadium. Many streets will have signs that explicitly block game-day parking, but some homes or businesses may actually even be selling their spots to fans.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I want to be mindful of the communities I’m parking in,” he said. “If it looks congested or crowded, I won’t add my car in that area.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/GettyImages-1278485677-scaled-e1790096064441.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12100912\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An exterior view of the stadium prior to the Philadelphia Eagles v San Francisco 49ers game at Levi’s Stadium on Oct. 4, 2020 in Santa Clara, California.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/GettyImages-1278485677-scaled-e1790096064441.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12100912\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An exterior view of the stadium prior to the Philadelphia Eagles v San Francisco 49ers game at Levi’s Stadium on Oct. 4, 2020 in Santa Clara, California.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Even though it may take a little extra time, walking to the stadium becomes a whole experience in itself, Espinoza said. “There’s crowds of people that you’re walking with through the streets and everyone has their Niners gear on,” he said. “It’s like a sea of red.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Even though it may take a little extra time, walking to the stadium becomes a whole experience in itself, Espinoza said. “There’s crowds of people that you’re walking with through the streets and everyone has their Niners gear on,” he said. “It’s like a sea of red.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Other fans use the booking website SpotHero to find spots far away from the stadium and take public transit to the game from there.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Other fans use the booking website SpotHero to find spots far away from the stadium and take public transit to the game from there.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>For this Sunday’s game, the page lists several garages in downtown San José that will charge you \u003ca href=\"https://spothero.com/search?kind=destination&id=71686&destination_id=71686&starts=2026-09-27T12%3A00&ends=2026-09-27T17%3A00&view=dl&hide_event_modal=true\">less than $20\u003c/a> for a 5-hour reservation. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>For this Sunday’s game, the page lists several garages in downtown San José that will charge you \u003ca href=\"https://spothero.com/search?kind=destination&id=71686&destination_id=71686&starts=2026-09-27T12%3A00&ends=2026-09-27T17%3A00&view=dl&hide_event_modal=true\">less than $20\u003c/a> for a 5-hour reservation. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>While parking all the way in San José sounds like a trek, keep in mind that VTA has a \u003ca href=\"https://www.vta.org/sites/default/files/2020-01/LR-Map-2020.pdf\">direct light rail route\u003c/a> from this area to Levi’s Stadium.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>While parking all the way in San José sounds like a trek, keep in mind that VTA has a \u003ca href=\"https://www.vta.org/sites/default/files/2020-01/LR-Map-2020.pdf\">direct light rail route\u003c/a> from this area to Levi’s Stadium.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you choose not to park in San José, you can also look for free parking in Mountain View or even further up the peninsula and hop on Caltrain — \u003cem>then \u003c/em>transfer to the VTA light rail.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>If you choose not to park in San José, you can also look for free parking in Mountain View or even further up the peninsula and hop on Caltrain — \u003cem>then \u003c/em>transfer to the VTA light rail.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>A single VTA adult fare is $2.50, and Caltrain ticket prices vary by how far you’re traveling: Coming from San Francisco will cost $10.75, while a trip from Redwood City will be $6.25.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>A single VTA adult fare is $2.50, and Caltrain ticket prices vary by how far you’re traveling: Coming from San Francisco will cost $10.75, while a trip from Redwood City will be $6.25.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And if you get around places on your bicycle, remember that Levi’s Stadium has a complimentary bicycle valet service located in Red Lot 1 and Green Lot 1. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>And if you get around places on your bicycle, remember that Levi’s Stadium has a complimentary bicycle valet service located in Red Lot 1 and Green Lot 1. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Bike drop-off begins three hours before the start of the game, and you must pick up your ride within the hour after the game ends.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Bike drop-off begins three hours before the start of the game, and you must pick up your ride within the hour after the game ends.\u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "How you could save money during the game itself",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How you could save money during the game itself\u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Putting down almost $20 for a stadium beer? Yes, that’s definitely possible at a game. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Putting down almost $20 for a stadium beer? Yes, that’s definitely possible at a game. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>So while Levi’s Stadium may boast dozens of concession stands that include some pretty mouthwatering bites (pulled pork nachos, anyone?), some fans commit to saving the cash by eating before heading to the game.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>So while Levi’s Stadium may boast dozens of concession stands that include some pretty mouthwatering bites (pulled pork nachos, anyone?), some fans commit to saving the cash by eating before heading to the game.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/GettyImages-2176377146-scaled-e1790096149223.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12100919\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans were greeted with lots of cold beverage options as they arrived before the San Francisco 49ers played the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/GettyImages-2176377146-scaled-e1790096149223.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12100919\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans were greeted with lots of cold beverage options as they arrived before the San Francisco 49ers played the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Others just bring their lunch with them. “I normally don’t spend too much on concessions,” Kumar from San Francisco said. “I like to pick up a sandwich or something, and save that way.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Others just bring their lunch with them. “I normally don’t spend too much on concessions,” Kumar from San Francisco said. “I like to pick up a sandwich or something, and save that way.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And here’s the thing: According to the stadium’s \u003ca href=\"https://levisstadium.com/stadium-az-guide/\">visitor policy\u003c/a>, you \u003cem>can \u003c/em>bring outside food — “as long as it is placed in clear plastic wrappings or bags that comply with the NFL bag policy.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>And here’s the thing: According to the stadium’s \u003ca href=\"https://levisstadium.com/stadium-az-guide/\">visitor policy\u003c/a>, you \u003cem>can \u003c/em>bring outside food — “as long as it is placed in clear plastic wrappings or bags that comply with the NFL bag policy.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Any fruit you bring has to be “cut into smaller pieces,” according to the stadium. And while you can also bring water bottles, they must be sealed (as in, not yet opened) — or if they’re \u003ca href=\"https://levisstadium.com/guest-services/permitted-prohibited-list/\">reusable\u003c/a>, they’ll have to be transparent, smaller than 24 ounces and, of course, contain no alcohol.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Any fruit you bring has to be “cut into smaller pieces,” according to the stadium. And while you can also bring water bottles, they must be sealed (as in, not yet opened) — or if they’re \u003ca href=\"https://levisstadium.com/guest-services/permitted-prohibited-list/\">reusable\u003c/a>, they’ll have to be transparent, smaller than 24 ounces and, of course, contain no alcohol.\u003c/p>\n"
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"excerpt": "Going to a football game can cost a family thousands of dollars. We gathered tips from San Francisco 49ers fans on how to potentially save money on tickets, parking and more.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>It’s been a fantastic start to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/football\">football\u003c/a> season in the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>With quarterback Brock Purdy leading the team to \u003ca href=\"https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-defeat-dolphins-35-13-in-home-opener-takeaways-from-miavssf\">a smashing victory\u003c/a> over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers are revving up for this season’s second home game on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If we can avoid injuries, we’ve got a good season ahead of us,” 49ers follower and San Francisco resident Hari Kumar said, capturing the thoughts of many fans.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But what Kumar and others aren’t too excited about is how much seats are going for this season. Seats in the nosebleed section for this weekend’s game against the Cardinals are averaging north of $150.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/GettyImages-2255009703-scaled-e1769191193398.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12070880\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An aerial view of Levi’s Stadium on Dec.3, 2025, in Santa Clara, California. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If I want to splurge on a nicer seat, I’m looking at a ticket of over $300,” Kumar said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A recent \u003ca href=\"https://www.actionnetwork.com/nfl/the-cheapest-and-most-expensive-nfl-stadiums-for-families-in-2026\">study\u003c/a> by sports betting news site Action Network compared ticket prices, parking and other expenses at pro football stadiums nationwide and found that the average cost for a family of four to watch a game at Levi’s Stadium was a whopping $1,778.56. (The most expensive stadium? A visit to Highmark Stadium to cheer on the Buffalo Bills costs an average of $2,193.95).\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The 49ers did not respond to KQED’s requests on what fan discounts are available this season, so we reached out to Niners faithful on what \u003cem>they \u003c/em>do to cut down costs when making the trip to Santa Clara. And while options are limited, there are a few recommendations out there that don’t require buying a season pass.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How you could potentially save money on tickets\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Unlike \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089894/how-to-watch-bay-area-baseball-on-a-budget\">other Bay Area teams\u003c/a>, the 49ers have very limited promotional offers for discounted tickets. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Fans can usually watch their team at Levi’s Stadium for a few dozen bucks during the summer for \u003ca href=\"https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-announce-2026-open-training-camp-schedule\">open training camp\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But during the regular season, when those prices go way up, some Niners faithful become very savvy navigating ticket resale sites.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1320\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2264385459.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12085301\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2264385459.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2264385459-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2264385459-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Ticketmaster logo is displayed on a smartphone screen in this photo illustration in Brussels, Belgium, on March 5, 2026. (Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Kumar compares ticket prices on TickPick, SeatGeek and Ticketmaster. But what helps him a lot in the long run, he said, is buying tickets on sites that offer cash back rebates if he pays with his credit card.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Sometimes there’ll be a 5% or 10% back on SeatGeek or Gametime,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Another site Kumar said he logs into is cash-back marketplace Rakuten, which scans partner sites like Ticketmaster for tickets. Once you make the purchase, Rakuten sends you a small portion of your ticket cost as cash, helping lower the total cost of your tickets.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One more option to consider: your credit card’s rewards program. Some credit cards offer members the opportunity to trade in their points for experiences — which can (occasionally) include tickets to a football game.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How you could save money on parking at the stadium \u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>At Levi’s Stadium, just “getting in and out of the parking lot for an event is a lot of time and money,” 49ers fan and San Diego resident Erik Espinoza said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Even though he lives in Southern California, Espinoza still travels to Levi’s a few times each season. And to avoid parking at the stadium, he looks for spots in neighborhoods a walking distance from the stadium. Many streets will have signs that explicitly block game-day parking, but some homes or businesses may actually even be selling their spots to fans.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I want to be mindful of the communities I’m parking in,” he said. “If it looks congested or crowded, I won’t add my car in that area.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1260\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/GettyImages-1278485677-scaled-e1790096064441.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12100912\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An exterior view of the stadium prior to the Philadelphia Eagles v San Francisco 49ers game at Levi’s Stadium on Oct. 4, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Even though it may take a little extra time, walking to the stadium becomes a whole experience in itself, Espinoza said. “There’s crowds of people that you’re walking with through the streets and everyone has their Niners gear on,” he said. “It’s like a sea of red.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Other fans use the booking website SpotHero to find spots far away from the stadium and take public transit to the game from there.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For this Sunday’s game, the page lists several garages in downtown San José that will charge you \u003ca href=\"https://spothero.com/search?kind=destination&id=71686&destination_id=71686&starts=2026-09-27T12%3A00&ends=2026-09-27T17%3A00&view=dl&hide_event_modal=true\">less than $20\u003c/a> for a 5-hour reservation. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While parking all the way in San José sounds like a trek, keep in mind that VTA has a \u003ca href=\"https://www.vta.org/sites/default/files/2020-01/LR-Map-2020.pdf\">direct light rail route\u003c/a> from this area to Levi’s Stadium.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you choose not to park in San José, you can also look for free parking in Mountain View or even further up the peninsula and hop on Caltrain — \u003cem>then \u003c/em>transfer to the VTA light rail.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A single VTA adult fare is $2.50, and Caltrain ticket prices vary by how far you’re traveling: Coming from San Francisco will cost $10.75, while a trip from Redwood City will be $6.25.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And if you get around places on your bicycle, remember that Levi’s Stadium has a complimentary bicycle valet service located in Red Lot 1 and Green Lot 1. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bike drop-off begins three hours before the start of the game, and you must pick up your ride within the hour after the game ends.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How you could save money during the game itself\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Putting down almost $20 for a stadium beer? Yes, that’s definitely possible at a game. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So while Levi’s Stadium may boast dozens of concession stands that include some pretty mouthwatering bites (pulled pork nachos, anyone?), some fans commit to saving the cash by eating before heading to the game.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/GettyImages-2176377146-scaled-e1790096149223.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12100919\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans were greeted with lots of cold beverage options as they arrived before the San Francisco 49ers played the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Others just bring their lunch with them. “I normally don’t spend too much on concessions,” Kumar from San Francisco said. “I like to pick up a sandwich or something, and save that way.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And here’s the thing: According to the stadium’s \u003ca href=\"https://levisstadium.com/stadium-az-guide/\">visitor policy\u003c/a>, you \u003cem>can \u003c/em>bring outside food — “as long as it is placed in clear plastic wrappings or bags that comply with the NFL bag policy.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Any fruit you bring has to be “cut into smaller pieces,” according to the stadium. And while you can also bring water bottles, they must be sealed (as in, not yet opened) — or if they’re \u003ca href=\"https://levisstadium.com/guest-services/permitted-prohibited-list/\">reusable\u003c/a>, they’ll have to be transparent, smaller than 24 ounces and, of course, contain no alcohol.\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "the-quick-guide-to-the-bay-areas-professional-womens-sports-teams",
"title": "Where to Support Professional Women’s Hockey, Soccer and Rugby in the Bay Area",
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"headTitle": "Where to Support Professional Women’s Hockey, Soccer and Rugby in the Bay Area | KQED",
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"content": "\n\u003cp>Growing up in New Jersey, Christina Ellerby was fixated on watching ice \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/hockey\">hockey\u003c/a> from a young age. Naturally, she wanted to start playing herself. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>She started with roller blades, recalling how her dad would “throw me around on the pavement until I eventually just stood up.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I eventually got to play in a roller hockey league when I was like 11, 12, 13 — but I was the only woman in the entire league,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But the ice hockey hopes were dashed. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“My mom was basically like, ‘You aren’t playing ice hockey. You’re going to get hurt,’” Ellerby said, explaining that the games in the league would include \u003ca href=\"https://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1048048\">competitive contact\u003c/a>, like bodychecking, with boys. “She refused to sign the waiver.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But years later, the chance to get on the ice came back. When Ellerby moved to San Francisco, someone posted a flyer for \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-day/\">“Give Hockey a Try Day,”\u003c/a> a biannual event hosted by the Northern California Women’s Hockey League that allows anyone — including first-time skaters — to play low-key, controlled plays on the rink.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I had not skated in 15 years, and I was like, ‘I’m still going to do this,’” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The NCWHL notes that many players go on to become league regulars after starting with the “Give Hockey a Try Day,” a distinction that now belongs to Ellerby, who has returned for three seasons.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Around the same time Ellerby joined the NCWHL, the Professional Women’s Hockey League officially launched in 2023.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jump straight to where in the Bay Area to support:\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#hockey\">Women’s hockey\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#soccer\">Women’s soccer\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#rugby\">Women’s rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Ellerby was enthralled. “I had pretty much just incessantly started watching it,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And this season, the pro league will be heading to the Bay Area, with a new team establishing itself at San José’s SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The PWHL expansion is coming at a time when the Bay Area is \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6815888/2025/11/19/top-womens-sports-cities-list-bay-area/\">getting national recognition\u003c/a> for being a hot spot for women’s sports teams. Along with ice hockey, the Bay Area this year also became home to a professional baseball and volleyball team. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098190\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Young ice hockey fans display a sign that says, “Bring PWHL to the West,” as the Canadian national anthem is sung before the Toronto Sceptres face Ottawa in the PWHL Takeover Tour at Rogers Place Arena in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on Feb. 16, 2025. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re witnessing the crazy history right now,” said San Francisco’s Ozzy Palacio, sports reporter and managing editor of the San Francisco State student paper \u003ca href=\"https://goldengatexpress.org/\">\u003cem>Golden Gate Xpress\u003c/em>\u003c/a>. “It’s super awesome to be at the epicenter of it here in the Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As a companion to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area\">our previous guide to supporting women’s basketball and baseball in the Bay Area\u003c/a>, we’ve now got a rundown of the region’s noncollege women’s teams in hockey, soccer and rugby — and how you can get involved with their enthusiastic fandoms locally, by supporting the teams \u003cem>and \u003c/em>even trying the sports yourself. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"hockey\">Supporting women’s hockey in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Professional Women’s Hockey League has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhe29mjpUj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">announced that it will be expanding\u003c/a> to San José in May — and the team’s name has not been revealed yet. (The jury’s out whether it’ll be an equivalent of the San José Sharks, the men’s ice hockey team.) \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But excitement has been mounting for the roster, which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/teams/san-jose/news/2026/june/17/pwhl-san-jose-selects-laila-edwards-in-the-first-round-of-the-2026-pwhl-draft\">Olympians like Laila Edwards\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://medium.com/@talkinwithtrudeau/interviewing-uconn-huksies-team-china-netminder-tia-chan-8f9102850937\">Tia Chan\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://teamusa.usahockey.com/2026olympics-roryguilday\">Rory Guilday\u003c/a>. The new San José team will debut in late November during the \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/stats/schedule/all-teams/8/all-months\">2026 PWHL season\u003c/a>, playing at SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>All PWHL games have historically also been streamed on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@thepwhlofficial\">league’s YouTube channel\u003c/a>. The PWHL has \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/where-to-watch\">a guide on its website\u003c/a> on how to catch games for specific teams.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Tip for newcomers attending any games: Bring a jacket, because ice skating rinks are genuinely cold.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098173\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dominique Petrie of the Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women’s Hockey League is on the ice for the ceremonial first puck before a NHL game between the Los Angeles Kings and the San José Sharks on Oct. 28, 2025, at SAP Center in San José, California. (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The place for hockey fans to really meet: rec leagues. The \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/\">Northern California Women’s Hockey League\u003c/a> has four divisions for different skill levels. The league also holds a “\u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-feb-7-2026/\">Give Hockey a Try\u003c/a>” day twice a year, which Ellerby says is an affordable and accessible entry point for newbies. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The day costs $25, includes rented gear and requires no previous experience. Plus, if you decide to stick with it, used gear is then offered by the NCWHL at a deep discount.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There is also a beginner’s course for adults on ice hockey at \u003ca href=\"https://www.trivalleyminorhockey.com/lady\">a rink in Walnut Creek\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098200\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans of the Professional Women’s Hockey League sing along during the third period of the Minnesota Frost and New York Sirens game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on March 16, 2024. (Dave Reginek/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There is a very supportive community,” Ellerby said. “It’s very much a community that realizes that the opportunities might not have been there for everybody. There’s people who start the season who can’t skate, and they do everything to train you so that you can.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>(One more incentive to get in with the NCWHL: Sometimes the PWHL will reach out to host events where you can skate with key players.) \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Sharks franchise manages the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sharksiceatsanjose.com/adult-hockey/siahl-womens-league\">San José Adult Women’s League\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In addition, there’s the \u003ca href=\"https://sfquakes.org/\">San Francisco Earthquakes\u003c/a>, an LGBTQ ice hockey team founded in 1998 that plays at Yerba Buena Ice in San Francisco. For those who prefer asphalt to ice, there’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareastreethockey.com/about\">Bay Area Street Hockey\u003c/a>, too.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s hockey?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thegistsports.com/\">The Gist\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://snatchmagazine.com/\">Snatch Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/365_hockeygirl?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">365 Hockey Girl\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/sportsgirlsclub?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">Sports Girls Club\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://toomanymenpod.com/\">Too Many Men\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/media/jocks-in-jills-podcast\">Jocks in Jills\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/pwhltosanjose?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">PWHL to San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/womenofhockeysj/\">Women of Hockey San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"soccer\">Supporting women’s soccer in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Bay Area’s professional women’s soccer team is Bay FC, playing at PayPal Park in San José. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bay FC’s \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">regular season\u003c/a> runs until Nov. 1. The team’s official website lists the ways you can stream \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">each game\u003c/a>, which include platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.cbssportsnetwork.com/\">CBS Sports Network\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/watch/\">ESPN 2\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Also good to keep in mind: Next year will bring the Women’s FIFA World Cup, hosted by Brazil. The U.S. team includes Claire Hutton, a player from Bay FC.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12032644\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">More than 26,000 fans packed the Oakland Roots home opener at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California, on March 22, 2025. This was the first Roots game played in the storied stadium. (David M. Barreda/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12076503/mens-world-cup-soccer-san-francisco-bay-area-tickets-matches-santa-clara-levis-stadium\">a guide to soccer teams in the Bay Area\u003c/a> — women’s, men’s and co-ed — which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.oaklandsoulsc.com/\">Oakland Soul\u003c/a>, the preprofessional team (aka the future of soccer). \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bay Area Futbol News also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DbD57e0yxyq/\">an incredibly handy, pretty extensive chart\u003c/a> on the tiers of soccer teams in the region, which includes many other women’s teams such as:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfnighthawks.com/\">SF Nighthawks\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.mbfcsirens.com/\">Monterey Bay Sirens FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.calstormsoccer.com/\">California Storm\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.wpslsoccer.com/teams/the-town-fc\">The Town FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sanramonfc.com/wpsl\">San Ramon FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There are several official Bay FC fan clubs, such as the \u003ca href=\"https://bfcs.club/\">Bridge Brigade\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/press-releases/bay-fc-announces-two-new-official-supporter-groups-01212026/\">The Big Poppies, Bay Imperio and Pier 75\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Rec leagues are also a major way for soccer fans to connect (which, fun fact, is how \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">the founders of Rikki’s — the Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar — met each other\u003c/a>). Some of those leagues include:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfspikes.com/\">SF Spikes\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/flintasoccer/\">Flinta\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/ggwsl/?hl=en\">Golden Gate Women’s Soccer League\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://outloudsports.com/sanfrancisco\">OutLoud Sports rec soccer leagues\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.volosports.com/san-francisco\">Volo’s rec leagues\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/dykesoccereastbay/\">Dyke Soccer East Bay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092224\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Solomon Wolday, the head coach for Maleda youth soccer, checks in with his players after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on July 18, 2026. (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s soccer?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://fulltimepod.com/\">Full Time\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.diasporaunitedpod.com/\">Diaspora United\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@WomensGameMiB\">The Women’s Game\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/attacking-third-a-cbs-sports-womens-soccer-podcast/id1573642138\">Attacking Third\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://re-website.com/pages/recapshow?srsltid=AfmBOop6BuvZugOGcnwnESX2lCB0J7OEvS5fQC11oeYkTGa18sCKKybL\">The Re-Cap Show\u003c/a>, hosted by former U.S. Women’s National Team stars (and married couple!) Christen Press and Tobin Heath.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"rugby\">Supporting women’s rugby in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Founded last year, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.baybreakers.us/\">Bay Breakers\u003c/a> are the local semi-professional women’s rugby team, though the team plays in Lodi, about two hours from the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>They compete in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/\">Women’s Elite Rugby League\u003c/a> and made it to the 2026 Legacy Cup final on Aug. 8 — but lost 24-17 to the Denver Onyx.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>When games pick up again next year, you can stream the games through the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/how-to-watch\">Women’s Sports Network\u003c/a> on platforms like Roku, Tubi and Fubo.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Bay Area hosts many women’s and inclusive LGBTQ rugby clubs. The best-known is the \u003ca href=\"https://www.allbluesrugby.com/\">Berkeley All Blues\u003c/a>, which has fostered several Olympians and more than 50 national team players, according to its website.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Others include \u003ca href=\"https://www.siliconvalleyrugby.org/\">Silicon Valley Women’s Rugby Club\u003c/a>, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sanjoserugby.com/\">San José Seahawks\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.fogrugby.com/\">SF Fog Rugby FC\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Many of rugby’s nonprofessional clubs in the Bay Area are open to beginners. For example, the All Blues field four teams that cater to all levels of experience, including one for high school students. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Also an LGBTQ club, The Fog’s highest-skill team plays with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.ncrfu.org/\">Northern California Rugby Union\u003c/a>, a men’s league. Women are welcome to play, however, on nonleague teams that arrange games independently with other local teams. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Fog runs \u003ca href=\"https://www.fogrugby.com/p2r\">a free Pathway to Rugby program\u003c/a> designed for beginners to learn fundamental skills: a multiweek crash course consisting of guided practices twice a week. The next program begins Oct. 5, 2026.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s rugby? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.women.rugby/en\">Women’s Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@LoveOfRugby/videos\">For The Love Of Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqdf25RCMlf-cHf5iloggfg#\">Women’s Rugby Pod\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtLqkC7VnfzbORQbjHMdYDiLGWgX_hxB9\">The Good, The Scaz & The Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“My mom was basically like, ‘You aren’t playing ice hockey. You’re going to get hurt,’” Ellerby said, explaining that the games in the league would include \u003ca href=\"https://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1048048\">competitive contact\u003c/a>, like bodychecking, with boys. “She refused to sign the waiver.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But years later, the chance to get on the ice came back. When Ellerby moved to San Francisco, someone posted a flyer for \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-day/\">“Give Hockey a Try Day,”\u003c/a> a biannual event hosted by the Northern California Women’s Hockey League that allows anyone — including first-time skaters — to play low-key, controlled plays on the rink.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>But years later, the chance to get on the ice came back. When Ellerby moved to San Francisco, someone posted a flyer for \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-day/\">“Give Hockey a Try Day,”\u003c/a> a biannual event hosted by the Northern California Women’s Hockey League that allows anyone — including first-time skaters — to play low-key, controlled plays on the rink.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I had not skated in 15 years, and I was like, ‘I’m still going to do this,’” she said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The NCWHL notes that many players go on to become league regulars after starting with the “Give Hockey a Try Day,” a distinction that now belongs to Ellerby, who has returned for three seasons.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The NCWHL notes that many players go on to become league regulars after starting with the “Give Hockey a Try Day,” a distinction that now belongs to Ellerby, who has returned for three seasons.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Ellerby was enthralled. “I had pretty much just incessantly started watching it,” she said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And this season, the pro league will be heading to the Bay Area, with a new team establishing itself at San José’s SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The PWHL expansion is coming at a time when the Bay Area is \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6815888/2025/11/19/top-womens-sports-cities-list-bay-area/\">getting national recognition\u003c/a> for being a hot spot for women’s sports teams. Along with ice hockey, the Bay Area this year also became home to a professional baseball and volleyball team. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098190\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Young ice hockey fans display a sign that says, “Bring PWHL to the West,” as the Canadian national anthem is sung before the Toronto Sceptres face Ottawa in the PWHL Takeover Tour at Rogers Place Arena in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on Feb. 16, 2025. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098190\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Young ice hockey fans display a sign that says, “Bring PWHL to the West,” as the Canadian national anthem is sung before the Toronto Sceptres face Ottawa in the PWHL Takeover Tour at Rogers Place Arena in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on Feb. 16, 2025. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We’re witnessing the crazy history right now,” said San Francisco’s Ozzy Palacio, sports reporter and managing editor of the San Francisco State student paper \u003ca href=\"https://goldengatexpress.org/\">\u003cem>Golden Gate Xpress\u003c/em>\u003c/a>. “It’s super awesome to be at the epicenter of it here in the Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“We’re witnessing the crazy history right now,” said San Francisco’s Ozzy Palacio, sports reporter and managing editor of the San Francisco State student paper \u003ca href=\"https://goldengatexpress.org/\">\u003cem>Golden Gate Xpress\u003c/em>\u003c/a>. “It’s super awesome to be at the epicenter of it here in the Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>As a companion to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area\">our previous guide to supporting women’s basketball and baseball in the Bay Area\u003c/a>, we’ve now got a rundown of the region’s noncollege women’s teams in hockey, soccer and rugby — and how you can get involved with their enthusiastic fandoms locally, by supporting the teams \u003cem>and \u003c/em>even trying the sports yourself. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>As a companion to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area\">our previous guide to supporting women’s basketball and baseball in the Bay Area\u003c/a>, we’ve now got a rundown of the region’s noncollege women’s teams in hockey, soccer and rugby — and how you can get involved with their enthusiastic fandoms locally, by supporting the teams \u003cem>and \u003c/em>even trying the sports yourself. \u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "Supporting women’s hockey in the Bay Area",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"hockey\">Supporting women’s hockey in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n",
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "What should I know about the professional sports team? "
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Professional Women’s Hockey League has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhe29mjpUj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">announced that it will be expanding\u003c/a> to San José in May — and the team’s name has not been revealed yet. (The jury’s out whether it’ll be an equivalent of the San José Sharks, the men’s ice hockey team.) \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Professional Women’s Hockey League has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhe29mjpUj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">announced that it will be expanding\u003c/a> to San José in May — and the team’s name has not been revealed yet. (The jury’s out whether it’ll be an equivalent of the San José Sharks, the men’s ice hockey team.) \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But excitement has been mounting for the roster, which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/teams/san-jose/news/2026/june/17/pwhl-san-jose-selects-laila-edwards-in-the-first-round-of-the-2026-pwhl-draft\">Olympians like Laila Edwards\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://medium.com/@talkinwithtrudeau/interviewing-uconn-huksies-team-china-netminder-tia-chan-8f9102850937\">Tia Chan\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://teamusa.usahockey.com/2026olympics-roryguilday\">Rory Guilday\u003c/a>. The new San José team will debut in late November during the \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/stats/schedule/all-teams/8/all-months\">2026 PWHL season\u003c/a>, playing at SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But excitement has been mounting for the roster, which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/teams/san-jose/news/2026/june/17/pwhl-san-jose-selects-laila-edwards-in-the-first-round-of-the-2026-pwhl-draft\">Olympians like Laila Edwards\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://medium.com/@talkinwithtrudeau/interviewing-uconn-huksies-team-china-netminder-tia-chan-8f9102850937\">Tia Chan\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://teamusa.usahockey.com/2026olympics-roryguilday\">Rory Guilday\u003c/a>. The new San José team will debut in late November during the \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/stats/schedule/all-teams/8/all-months\">2026 PWHL season\u003c/a>, playing at SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>All PWHL games have historically also been streamed on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@thepwhlofficial\">league’s YouTube channel\u003c/a>. The PWHL has \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/where-to-watch\">a guide on its website\u003c/a> on how to catch games for specific teams.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>All PWHL games have historically also been streamed on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@thepwhlofficial\">league’s YouTube channel\u003c/a>. The PWHL has \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/where-to-watch\">a guide on its website\u003c/a> on how to catch games for specific teams.\u003c/p>\n"
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{
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"attrs": {
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Tip for newcomers attending any games: Bring a jacket, because ice skating rinks are genuinely cold.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Tip for newcomers attending any games: Bring a jacket, because ice skating rinks are genuinely cold.\u003c/p>\n"
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098173\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dominique Petrie of the Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women’s Hockey League is on the ice for the ceremonial first puck before a NHL game between the Los Angeles Kings and the San José Sharks on Oct. 28, 2025, at SAP Center in San José, California. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098173\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dominique Petrie of the Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women’s Hockey League is on the ice for the ceremonial first puck before a NHL game between the Los Angeles Kings and the San José Sharks on Oct. 28, 2025, at SAP Center in San José, California. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
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"text": "Where does the community hang out? "
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n",
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"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The place for hockey fans to really meet: rec leagues. The \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/\">Northern California Women’s Hockey League\u003c/a> has four divisions for different skill levels. The league also holds a “\u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-feb-7-2026/\">Give Hockey a Try\u003c/a>” day twice a year, which Ellerby says is an affordable and accessible entry point for newbies. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The place for hockey fans to really meet: rec leagues. The \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/\">Northern California Women’s Hockey League\u003c/a> has four divisions for different skill levels. The league also holds a “\u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-feb-7-2026/\">Give Hockey a Try\u003c/a>” day twice a year, which Ellerby says is an affordable and accessible entry point for newbies. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The day costs $25, includes rented gear and requires no previous experience. Plus, if you decide to stick with it, used gear is then offered by the NCWHL at a deep discount.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The day costs $25, includes rented gear and requires no previous experience. Plus, if you decide to stick with it, used gear is then offered by the NCWHL at a deep discount.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There is also a beginner’s course for adults on ice hockey at \u003ca href=\"https://www.trivalleyminorhockey.com/lady\">a rink in Walnut Creek\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>There is also a beginner’s course for adults on ice hockey at \u003ca href=\"https://www.trivalleyminorhockey.com/lady\">a rink in Walnut Creek\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098200\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans of the Professional Women’s Hockey League sing along during the third period of the Minnesota Frost and New York Sirens game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on March 16, 2024. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Dave Reginek/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098200\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans of the Professional Women’s Hockey League sing along during the third period of the Minnesota Frost and New York Sirens game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on March 16, 2024. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Dave Reginek/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“There is a very supportive community,” Ellerby said. “It’s very much a community that realizes that the opportunities might not have been there for everybody. There’s people who start the season who can’t skate, and they do everything to train you so that you can.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“There is a very supportive community,” Ellerby said. “It’s very much a community that realizes that the opportunities might not have been there for everybody. There’s people who start the season who can’t skate, and they do everything to train you so that you can.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>(One more incentive to get in with the NCWHL: Sometimes the PWHL will reach out to host events where you can skate with key players.) \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>(One more incentive to get in with the NCWHL: Sometimes the PWHL will reach out to host events where you can skate with key players.) \u003c/p>\n"
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{
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Sharks franchise manages the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sharksiceatsanjose.com/adult-hockey/siahl-womens-league\">San José Adult Women’s League\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Sharks franchise manages the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sharksiceatsanjose.com/adult-hockey/siahl-womens-league\">San José Adult Women’s League\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In addition, there’s the \u003ca href=\"https://sfquakes.org/\">San Francisco Earthquakes\u003c/a>, an LGBTQ ice hockey team founded in 1998 that plays at Yerba Buena Ice in San Francisco. For those who prefer asphalt to ice, there’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareastreethockey.com/about\">Bay Area Street Hockey\u003c/a>, too.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In addition, there’s the \u003ca href=\"https://sfquakes.org/\">San Francisco Earthquakes\u003c/a>, an LGBTQ ice hockey team founded in 1998 that plays at Yerba Buena Ice in San Francisco. For those who prefer asphalt to ice, there’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareastreethockey.com/about\">Bay Area Street Hockey\u003c/a>, too.\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s hockey? "
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s hockey?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s hockey?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n"
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{
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"attrs": {
"items": [
"The Gist",
"Snatch Magazine",
"365 Hockey Girl",
"Sports Girls Club",
"Too Many Men",
"Jocks in Jills",
"PWHL to San José",
"Women of Hockey San José"
],
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"values": ""
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003c/ul>\n",
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null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\u003c/ul>\n"
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"innerBlocks": [
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thegistsports.com/\">The Gist\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thegistsports.com/\">The Gist\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://snatchmagazine.com/\">Snatch Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://snatchmagazine.com/\">Snatch Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/365_hockeygirl?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">365 Hockey Girl\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/365_hockeygirl?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">365 Hockey Girl\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/sportsgirlsclub?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">Sports Girls Club\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/sportsgirlsclub?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">Sports Girls Club\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://toomanymenpod.com/\">Too Many Men\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://toomanymenpod.com/\">Too Many Men\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/media/jocks-in-jills-podcast\">Jocks in Jills\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/media/jocks-in-jills-podcast\">Jocks in Jills\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/pwhltosanjose?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">PWHL to San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/pwhltosanjose?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">PWHL to San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/womenofhockeysj/\">Women of Hockey San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/womenofhockeysj/\">Women of Hockey San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
}
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Supporting women’s soccer in the Bay Area",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"soccer\">Supporting women’s soccer in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"soccer\">Supporting women’s soccer in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n"
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"attrs": {
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"text": "What should I know about the professional sports team? "
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Bay Area’s professional women’s soccer team is Bay FC, playing at PayPal Park in San José. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Bay Area’s professional women’s soccer team is Bay FC, playing at PayPal Park in San José. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Bay FC’s \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">regular season\u003c/a> runs until Nov. 1. The team’s official website lists the ways you can stream \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">each game\u003c/a>, which include platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.cbssportsnetwork.com/\">CBS Sports Network\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/watch/\">ESPN 2\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Bay FC’s \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">regular season\u003c/a> runs until Nov. 1. The team’s official website lists the ways you can stream \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">each game\u003c/a>, which include platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.cbssportsnetwork.com/\">CBS Sports Network\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/watch/\">ESPN 2\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Also good to keep in mind: Next year will bring the Women’s FIFA World Cup, hosted by Brazil. The U.S. team includes Claire Hutton, a player from Bay FC.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Also good to keep in mind: Next year will bring the Women’s FIFA World Cup, hosted by Brazil. The U.S. team includes Claire Hutton, a player from Bay FC.\u003c/p>\n"
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{
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"attrs": {
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1920x1280.jpg 1920w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12032644\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">More than 26,000 fans packed the Oakland Roots home opener at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California, on March 22, 2025. This was the first Roots game played in the storied stadium.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (David M. Barreda/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12032644\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">More than 26,000 fans packed the Oakland Roots home opener at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California, on March 22, 2025. This was the first Roots game played in the storied stadium.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (David M. Barreda/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"text": "Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12076503/mens-world-cup-soccer-san-francisco-bay-area-tickets-matches-santa-clara-levis-stadium\">a guide to soccer teams in the Bay Area\u003c/a> — women’s, men’s and co-ed — which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.oaklandsoulsc.com/\">Oakland Soul\u003c/a>, the preprofessional team (aka the future of soccer). \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12076503/mens-world-cup-soccer-san-francisco-bay-area-tickets-matches-santa-clara-levis-stadium\">a guide to soccer teams in the Bay Area\u003c/a> — women’s, men’s and co-ed — which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.oaklandsoulsc.com/\">Oakland Soul\u003c/a>, the preprofessional team (aka the future of soccer). \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Bay Area Futbol News also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DbD57e0yxyq/\">an incredibly handy, pretty extensive chart\u003c/a> on the tiers of soccer teams in the region, which includes many other women’s teams such as:\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Bay Area Futbol News also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DbD57e0yxyq/\">an incredibly handy, pretty extensive chart\u003c/a> on the tiers of soccer teams in the region, which includes many other women’s teams such as:\u003c/p>\n"
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"items": [
"SF Nighthawks",
"Monterey Bay Sirens FC",
"California Storm",
"The Town FC",
"San Ramon FC"
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"values": ""
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003c/ul>\n",
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"\n\n",
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"\n\n",
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null,
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfnighthawks.com/\">SF Nighthawks\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfnighthawks.com/\">SF Nighthawks\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
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"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.mbfcsirens.com/\">Monterey Bay Sirens FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.mbfcsirens.com/\">Monterey Bay Sirens FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.calstormsoccer.com/\">California Storm\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.calstormsoccer.com/\">California Storm\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.wpslsoccer.com/teams/the-town-fc\">The Town FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.wpslsoccer.com/teams/the-town-fc\">The Town FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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},
{
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sanramonfc.com/wpsl\">San Ramon FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sanramonfc.com/wpsl\">San Ramon FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "Where does the community hang out? "
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There are several official Bay FC fan clubs, such as the \u003ca href=\"https://bfcs.club/\">Bridge Brigade\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/press-releases/bay-fc-announces-two-new-official-supporter-groups-01212026/\">The Big Poppies, Bay Imperio and Pier 75\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>There are several official Bay FC fan clubs, such as the \u003ca href=\"https://bfcs.club/\">Bridge Brigade\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/press-releases/bay-fc-announces-two-new-official-supporter-groups-01212026/\">The Big Poppies, Bay Imperio and Pier 75\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Rec leagues are also a major way for soccer fans to connect (which, fun fact, is how \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">the founders of Rikki’s — the Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar — met each other\u003c/a>). Some of those leagues include:\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Rec leagues are also a major way for soccer fans to connect (which, fun fact, is how \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">the founders of Rikki’s — the Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar — met each other\u003c/a>). Some of those leagues include:\u003c/p>\n"
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"items": [
"SF Spikes",
"Flinta",
"Golden Gate Women’s Soccer League",
"OutLoud Sports rec soccer leagues ",
"Volo’s rec leagues",
"Dyke Soccer East Bay"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003c/ul>\n",
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null,
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfspikes.com/\">SF Spikes\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfspikes.com/\">SF Spikes\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
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"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/flintasoccer/\">Flinta\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/flintasoccer/\">Flinta\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/ggwsl/?hl=en\">Golden Gate Women’s Soccer League\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/ggwsl/?hl=en\">Golden Gate Women’s Soccer League\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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{
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://outloudsports.com/sanfrancisco\">OutLoud Sports rec soccer leagues\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://outloudsports.com/sanfrancisco\">OutLoud Sports rec soccer leagues\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.volosports.com/san-francisco\">Volo’s rec leagues\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.volosports.com/san-francisco\">Volo’s rec leagues\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
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"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/dykesoccereastbay/\">Dyke Soccer East Bay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/dykesoccereastbay/\">Dyke Soccer East Bay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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{
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092224\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Solomon Wolday, the head coach for Maleda youth soccer, checks in with his players after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on July 18, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092224\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Solomon Wolday, the head coach for Maleda youth soccer, checks in with his players after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on July 18, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"attrs": {
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"text": "What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s soccer? "
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s soccer?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n",
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"items": [
"Full Time",
"Diaspora United",
"The Women’s Game",
"Attacking Third",
"The Re-Cap Show, hosted by former U.S. Women’s National Team stars (and married couple!) Christen Press and Tobin Heath."
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003c/ul>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://fulltimepod.com/\">Full Time\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://fulltimepod.com/\">Full Time\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"attrs": [],
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.diasporaunitedpod.com/\">Diaspora United\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.diasporaunitedpod.com/\">Diaspora United\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@WomensGameMiB\">The Women’s Game\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@WomensGameMiB\">The Women’s Game\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/attacking-third-a-cbs-sports-womens-soccer-podcast/id1573642138\">Attacking Third\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/attacking-third-a-cbs-sports-womens-soccer-podcast/id1573642138\">Attacking Third\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://re-website.com/pages/recapshow?srsltid=AfmBOop6BuvZugOGcnwnESX2lCB0J7OEvS5fQC11oeYkTGa18sCKKybL\">The Re-Cap Show\u003c/a>, hosted by former U.S. Women’s National Team stars (and married couple!) Christen Press and Tobin Heath.\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://re-website.com/pages/recapshow?srsltid=AfmBOop6BuvZugOGcnwnESX2lCB0J7OEvS5fQC11oeYkTGa18sCKKybL\">The Re-Cap Show\u003c/a>, hosted by former U.S. Women’s National Team stars (and married couple!) Christen Press and Tobin Heath.\u003c/li>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Supporting women’s rugby in the Bay Area",
"level": 2
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"rugby\">Supporting women’s rugby in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n",
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "What should I know about the professional sports team? "
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/h3>\n",
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"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/h3>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Founded last year, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.baybreakers.us/\">Bay Breakers\u003c/a> are the local semi-professional women’s rugby team, though the team plays in Lodi, about two hours from the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Founded last year, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.baybreakers.us/\">Bay Breakers\u003c/a> are the local semi-professional women’s rugby team, though the team plays in Lodi, about two hours from the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>They compete in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/\">Women’s Elite Rugby League\u003c/a> and made it to the 2026 Legacy Cup final on Aug. 8 — but lost 24-17 to the Denver Onyx.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>They compete in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/\">Women’s Elite Rugby League\u003c/a> and made it to the 2026 Legacy Cup final on Aug. 8 — but lost 24-17 to the Denver Onyx.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>When games pick up again next year, you can stream the games through the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/how-to-watch\">Women’s Sports Network\u003c/a> on platforms like Roku, Tubi and Fubo.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>When games pick up again next year, you can stream the games through the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/how-to-watch\">Women’s Sports Network\u003c/a> on platforms like Roku, Tubi and Fubo.\u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Bay Area hosts many women’s and inclusive LGBTQ rugby clubs. The best-known is the \u003ca href=\"https://www.allbluesrugby.com/\">Berkeley All Blues\u003c/a>, which has fostered several Olympians and more than 50 national team players, according to its website.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The Bay Area hosts many women’s and inclusive LGBTQ rugby clubs. The best-known is the \u003ca href=\"https://www.allbluesrugby.com/\">Berkeley All Blues\u003c/a>, which has fostered several Olympians and more than 50 national team players, according to its website.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Others include \u003ca href=\"https://www.siliconvalleyrugby.org/\">Silicon Valley Women’s Rugby Club\u003c/a>, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sanjoserugby.com/\">San José Seahawks\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.fogrugby.com/\">SF Fog Rugby FC\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Others include \u003ca href=\"https://www.siliconvalleyrugby.org/\">Silicon Valley Women’s Rugby Club\u003c/a>, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sanjoserugby.com/\">San José Seahawks\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.fogrugby.com/\">SF Fog Rugby FC\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Many of rugby’s nonprofessional clubs in the Bay Area are open to beginners. For example, the All Blues field four teams that cater to all levels of experience, including one for high school students. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Many of rugby’s nonprofessional clubs in the Bay Area are open to beginners. For example, the All Blues field four teams that cater to all levels of experience, including one for high school students. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Also an LGBTQ club, The Fog’s highest-skill team plays with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.ncrfu.org/\">Northern California Rugby Union\u003c/a>, a men’s league. Women are welcome to play, however, on nonleague teams that arrange games independently with other local teams. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Also an LGBTQ club, The Fog’s highest-skill team plays with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.ncrfu.org/\">Northern California Rugby Union\u003c/a>, a men’s league. Women are welcome to play, however, on nonleague teams that arrange games independently with other local teams. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Fog runs \u003ca href=\"https://www.fogrugby.com/p2r\">a free Pathway to Rugby program\u003c/a> designed for beginners to learn fundamental skills: a multiweek crash course consisting of guided practices twice a week. The next program begins Oct. 5, 2026.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The Fog runs \u003ca href=\"https://www.fogrugby.com/p2r\">a free Pathway to Rugby program\u003c/a> designed for beginners to learn fundamental skills: a multiweek crash course consisting of guided practices twice a week. The next program begins Oct. 5, 2026.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.women.rugby/en\">Women’s Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.women.rugby/en\">Women’s Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@LoveOfRugby/videos\">For The Love Of Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqdf25RCMlf-cHf5iloggfg#\">Women’s Rugby Pod\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>Growing up in New Jersey, Christina Ellerby was fixated on watching ice \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/hockey\">hockey\u003c/a> from a young age. Naturally, she wanted to start playing herself. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>She started with roller blades, recalling how her dad would “throw me around on the pavement until I eventually just stood up.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I eventually got to play in a roller hockey league when I was like 11, 12, 13 — but I was the only woman in the entire league,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But the ice hockey hopes were dashed. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“My mom was basically like, ‘You aren’t playing ice hockey. You’re going to get hurt,’” Ellerby said, explaining that the games in the league would include \u003ca href=\"https://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1048048\">competitive contact\u003c/a>, like bodychecking, with boys. “She refused to sign the waiver.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But years later, the chance to get on the ice came back. When Ellerby moved to San Francisco, someone posted a flyer for \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-day/\">“Give Hockey a Try Day,”\u003c/a> a biannual event hosted by the Northern California Women’s Hockey League that allows anyone — including first-time skaters — to play low-key, controlled plays on the rink.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I had not skated in 15 years, and I was like, ‘I’m still going to do this,’” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The NCWHL notes that many players go on to become league regulars after starting with the “Give Hockey a Try Day,” a distinction that now belongs to Ellerby, who has returned for three seasons.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Around the same time Ellerby joined the NCWHL, the Professional Women’s Hockey League officially launched in 2023.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jump straight to where in the Bay Area to support:\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#hockey\">Women’s hockey\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#soccer\">Women’s soccer\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#rugby\">Women’s rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Ellerby was enthralled. “I had pretty much just incessantly started watching it,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And this season, the pro league will be heading to the Bay Area, with a new team establishing itself at San José’s SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The PWHL expansion is coming at a time when the Bay Area is \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6815888/2025/11/19/top-womens-sports-cities-list-bay-area/\">getting national recognition\u003c/a> for being a hot spot for women’s sports teams. Along with ice hockey, the Bay Area this year also became home to a professional baseball and volleyball team. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098190\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Young ice hockey fans display a sign that says, “Bring PWHL to the West,” as the Canadian national anthem is sung before the Toronto Sceptres face Ottawa in the PWHL Takeover Tour at Rogers Place Arena in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on Feb. 16, 2025. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re witnessing the crazy history right now,” said San Francisco’s Ozzy Palacio, sports reporter and managing editor of the San Francisco State student paper \u003ca href=\"https://goldengatexpress.org/\">\u003cem>Golden Gate Xpress\u003c/em>\u003c/a>. “It’s super awesome to be at the epicenter of it here in the Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As a companion to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area\">our previous guide to supporting women’s basketball and baseball in the Bay Area\u003c/a>, we’ve now got a rundown of the region’s noncollege women’s teams in hockey, soccer and rugby — and how you can get involved with their enthusiastic fandoms locally, by supporting the teams \u003cem>and \u003c/em>even trying the sports yourself. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"hockey\">Supporting women’s hockey in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Professional Women’s Hockey League has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhe29mjpUj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">announced that it will be expanding\u003c/a> to San José in May — and the team’s name has not been revealed yet. (The jury’s out whether it’ll be an equivalent of the San José Sharks, the men’s ice hockey team.) \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But excitement has been mounting for the roster, which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/teams/san-jose/news/2026/june/17/pwhl-san-jose-selects-laila-edwards-in-the-first-round-of-the-2026-pwhl-draft\">Olympians like Laila Edwards\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://medium.com/@talkinwithtrudeau/interviewing-uconn-huksies-team-china-netminder-tia-chan-8f9102850937\">Tia Chan\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://teamusa.usahockey.com/2026olympics-roryguilday\">Rory Guilday\u003c/a>. The new San José team will debut in late November during the \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/stats/schedule/all-teams/8/all-months\">2026 PWHL season\u003c/a>, playing at SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>All PWHL games have historically also been streamed on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@thepwhlofficial\">league’s YouTube channel\u003c/a>. The PWHL has \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/where-to-watch\">a guide on its website\u003c/a> on how to catch games for specific teams.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Tip for newcomers attending any games: Bring a jacket, because ice skating rinks are genuinely cold.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098173\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dominique Petrie of the Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women’s Hockey League is on the ice for the ceremonial first puck before a NHL game between the Los Angeles Kings and the San José Sharks on Oct. 28, 2025, at SAP Center in San José, California. (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The place for hockey fans to really meet: rec leagues. The \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/\">Northern California Women’s Hockey League\u003c/a> has four divisions for different skill levels. The league also holds a “\u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-feb-7-2026/\">Give Hockey a Try\u003c/a>” day twice a year, which Ellerby says is an affordable and accessible entry point for newbies. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The day costs $25, includes rented gear and requires no previous experience. Plus, if you decide to stick with it, used gear is then offered by the NCWHL at a deep discount.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There is also a beginner’s course for adults on ice hockey at \u003ca href=\"https://www.trivalleyminorhockey.com/lady\">a rink in Walnut Creek\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098200\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans of the Professional Women’s Hockey League sing along during the third period of the Minnesota Frost and New York Sirens game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on March 16, 2024. (Dave Reginek/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There is a very supportive community,” Ellerby said. “It’s very much a community that realizes that the opportunities might not have been there for everybody. There’s people who start the season who can’t skate, and they do everything to train you so that you can.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>(One more incentive to get in with the NCWHL: Sometimes the PWHL will reach out to host events where you can skate with key players.) \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Sharks franchise manages the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sharksiceatsanjose.com/adult-hockey/siahl-womens-league\">San José Adult Women’s League\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In addition, there’s the \u003ca href=\"https://sfquakes.org/\">San Francisco Earthquakes\u003c/a>, an LGBTQ ice hockey team founded in 1998 that plays at Yerba Buena Ice in San Francisco. For those who prefer asphalt to ice, there’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareastreethockey.com/about\">Bay Area Street Hockey\u003c/a>, too.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s hockey?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thegistsports.com/\">The Gist\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://snatchmagazine.com/\">Snatch Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/365_hockeygirl?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">365 Hockey Girl\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/sportsgirlsclub?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">Sports Girls Club\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://toomanymenpod.com/\">Too Many Men\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/media/jocks-in-jills-podcast\">Jocks in Jills\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/pwhltosanjose?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">PWHL to San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/womenofhockeysj/\">Women of Hockey San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"soccer\">Supporting women’s soccer in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Bay Area’s professional women’s soccer team is Bay FC, playing at PayPal Park in San José. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bay FC’s \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">regular season\u003c/a> runs until Nov. 1. The team’s official website lists the ways you can stream \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">each game\u003c/a>, which include platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.cbssportsnetwork.com/\">CBS Sports Network\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/watch/\">ESPN 2\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Also good to keep in mind: Next year will bring the Women’s FIFA World Cup, hosted by Brazil. The U.S. team includes Claire Hutton, a player from Bay FC.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12032644\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">More than 26,000 fans packed the Oakland Roots home opener at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California, on March 22, 2025. This was the first Roots game played in the storied stadium. (David M. Barreda/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12076503/mens-world-cup-soccer-san-francisco-bay-area-tickets-matches-santa-clara-levis-stadium\">a guide to soccer teams in the Bay Area\u003c/a> — women’s, men’s and co-ed — which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.oaklandsoulsc.com/\">Oakland Soul\u003c/a>, the preprofessional team (aka the future of soccer). \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bay Area Futbol News also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DbD57e0yxyq/\">an incredibly handy, pretty extensive chart\u003c/a> on the tiers of soccer teams in the region, which includes many other women’s teams such as:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfnighthawks.com/\">SF Nighthawks\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.mbfcsirens.com/\">Monterey Bay Sirens FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.calstormsoccer.com/\">California Storm\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.wpslsoccer.com/teams/the-town-fc\">The Town FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sanramonfc.com/wpsl\">San Ramon FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There are several official Bay FC fan clubs, such as the \u003ca href=\"https://bfcs.club/\">Bridge Brigade\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/press-releases/bay-fc-announces-two-new-official-supporter-groups-01212026/\">The Big Poppies, Bay Imperio and Pier 75\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Rec leagues are also a major way for soccer fans to connect (which, fun fact, is how \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">the founders of Rikki’s — the Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar — met each other\u003c/a>). Some of those leagues include:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfspikes.com/\">SF Spikes\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/flintasoccer/\">Flinta\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/ggwsl/?hl=en\">Golden Gate Women’s Soccer League\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://outloudsports.com/sanfrancisco\">OutLoud Sports rec soccer leagues\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.volosports.com/san-francisco\">Volo’s rec leagues\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/dykesoccereastbay/\">Dyke Soccer East Bay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092224\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Solomon Wolday, the head coach for Maleda youth soccer, checks in with his players after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on July 18, 2026. (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s soccer?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://fulltimepod.com/\">Full Time\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.diasporaunitedpod.com/\">Diaspora United\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@WomensGameMiB\">The Women’s Game\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/attacking-third-a-cbs-sports-womens-soccer-podcast/id1573642138\">Attacking Third\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://re-website.com/pages/recapshow?srsltid=AfmBOop6BuvZugOGcnwnESX2lCB0J7OEvS5fQC11oeYkTGa18sCKKybL\">The Re-Cap Show\u003c/a>, hosted by former U.S. Women’s National Team stars (and married couple!) Christen Press and Tobin Heath.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"rugby\">Supporting women’s rugby in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Founded last year, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.baybreakers.us/\">Bay Breakers\u003c/a> are the local semi-professional women’s rugby team, though the team plays in Lodi, about two hours from the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>They compete in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/\">Women’s Elite Rugby League\u003c/a> and made it to the 2026 Legacy Cup final on Aug. 8 — but lost 24-17 to the Denver Onyx.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>When games pick up again next year, you can stream the games through the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/how-to-watch\">Women’s Sports Network\u003c/a> on platforms like Roku, Tubi and Fubo.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Bay Area hosts many women’s and inclusive LGBTQ rugby clubs. The best-known is the \u003ca href=\"https://www.allbluesrugby.com/\">Berkeley All Blues\u003c/a>, which has fostered several Olympians and more than 50 national team players, according to its website.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Others include \u003ca href=\"https://www.siliconvalleyrugby.org/\">Silicon Valley Women’s Rugby Club\u003c/a>, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sanjoserugby.com/\">San José Seahawks\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.fogrugby.com/\">SF Fog Rugby FC\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Many of rugby’s nonprofessional clubs in the Bay Area are open to beginners. For example, the All Blues field four teams that cater to all levels of experience, including one for high school students. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Also an LGBTQ club, The Fog’s highest-skill team plays with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.ncrfu.org/\">Northern California Rugby Union\u003c/a>, a men’s league. Women are welcome to play, however, on nonleague teams that arrange games independently with other local teams. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Fog runs \u003ca href=\"https://www.fogrugby.com/p2r\">a free Pathway to Rugby program\u003c/a> designed for beginners to learn fundamental skills: a multiweek crash course consisting of guided practices twice a week. The next program begins Oct. 5, 2026.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s rugby? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.women.rugby/en\">Women’s Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@LoveOfRugby/videos\">For The Love Of Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqdf25RCMlf-cHf5iloggfg#\">Women’s Rugby Pod\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtLqkC7VnfzbORQbjHMdYDiLGWgX_hxB9\">The Good, The Scaz & The Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "sfs-lowell-hs-baseball-team-to-forfeit-3-games-remove-coaches-after-investigation",
"title": "SF Varsity Baseball Team to Forfeit 3 Games, Remove Coaches After Investigation",
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"headTitle": "SF Varsity Baseball Team to Forfeit 3 Games, Remove Coaches After Investigation | KQED",
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"content": "\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/lowell-high-school\">Lowell High School’s\u003c/a> varsity baseball team must forfeit three games during the upcoming spring season, after an investigation by the San Francisco school district’s athletic conference found that an incident during last year’s junior varsity championship violated multiple rules. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>San Francisco Unified School District said Monday that it has also removed the team’s entire coaching staff, all of whom have been on leave since May when reports emerged of unsportsmanlike conduct. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/lowell-high-racial-misconduct-baseball-22271411.php\">\u003cem>San Francisco Chronicle\u003c/em>\u003c/a> said at the time that the conduct occurred at Lowell’s junior varsity championship game against Lincoln High School, where varsity coaches were reportedly present when “alleged race-based taunting by Lowell’s varsity players” occurred.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet.jpg\" alt=\"An exterior view of Lowell High School, a gray, boxy building.\" class=\"wp-image-10961135\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet.jpg 1600w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-400x300.jpg 400w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-1180x885.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-960x720.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This is the first year that Lowell High School offered ethnic studies. (Wikimedia Commons)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The district has not provided details about the incident, which the Chronicle’s May report attributed to inside sources.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Last week, the San Francisco Academic Athletic Conference informed school administrators that its investigation of the incident found that Lowell baseball violated multiple bylaws having to do with sportsmanship expectations, rooting section requirements and hazing policy.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As a result of the findings, the school district’s governing body for sports determined that Lowell will forfeit the first game of each of three double-headers next spring against local rivals Lincoln High School, Galileo Academy and Washington High School — teams that finished second through fourth in the league last season.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The forfeited games were chosen based on the standings last season and the impact it will have on standings in the 2026-2027 season,” commissioner Gail Barksdale wrote in message to school administrators. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Forfeiting the selected games will likely hurt the team, which has historically dominated its division.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Lowell won nine more games than second-place Lincoln in 2026 and snagged the vast majority of section championship titles over the last decade, including last year’s, just days after the purported taunting incident.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>An interim coach will be put in place for this year as the school searches for a permanent replacement for first-year head coach Michael Sera, who also taught physical education at Lowell before he was put on leave. Sera was only the third head coach of the team in the last four decades.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We want to emphasize that there is no place for racism, discrimination, or racialized harm in the Lowell community or anywhere in SFUSD,” a district spokesperson said via email. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>SFUSD said that after the incident was initially reported, Lowell administrators were in contact with the Lincoln team and affected students and families “to ensure that they worked to repair any harm done.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095564\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie speaks during Jose Ortega Elementary School’s first morning circle of the school year on Aug. 17, 2026, in San Francisco. (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>District officials required Lowell players to engage in relearning the sports code of conduct and held discussions on “being upstanders” when there is bullying or harassment.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The district said individual players took accountability for their individual actions. All players will be required to complete implicit bias and bullying and hazing training before the start of the spring season.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said Tuesday that he was aware of the incident and planned to follow up with the school, but that “it sounds like Lowell did the right thing.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There should be no tolerance of hatred, for those types of remarks, that type of behavior,” Lurie said during an unrelated press conference.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s Jose Velazquez contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/lowell-high-racial-misconduct-baseball-22271411.php\">\u003cem>San Francisco Chronicle\u003c/em>\u003c/a> said at the time that the conduct occurred at Lowell’s junior varsity championship game against Lincoln High School, where varsity coaches were reportedly present when “alleged race-based taunting by Lowell’s varsity players” occurred.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet.jpg\" alt=\"An exterior view of Lowell High School, a gray, boxy building.\" class=\"wp-image-10961135\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet.jpg 1600w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-400x300.jpg 400w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-1180x885.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-960x720.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This is the first year that Lowell High School offered ethnic studies. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Wikimedia Commons)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet.jpg\" alt=\"An exterior view of Lowell High School, a gray, boxy building.\" class=\"wp-image-10961135\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This is the first year that Lowell High School offered ethnic studies. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Wikimedia Commons)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The district has not provided details about the incident, which the Chronicle’s May report attributed to inside sources.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The forfeited games were chosen based on the standings last season and the impact it will have on standings in the 2026-2027 season,” commissioner Gail Barksdale wrote in message to school administrators. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Lowell won nine more games than second-place Lincoln in 2026 and snagged the vast majority of section championship titles over the last decade, including last year’s, just days after the purported taunting incident.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>An interim coach will be put in place for this year as the school searches for a permanent replacement for first-year head coach Michael Sera, who also taught physical education at Lowell before he was put on leave. Sera was only the third head coach of the team in the last four decades.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We want to emphasize that there is no place for racism, discrimination, or racialized harm in the Lowell community or anywhere in SFUSD,” a district spokesperson said via email. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>SFUSD said that after the incident was initially reported, Lowell administrators were in contact with the Lincoln team and affected students and families “to ensure that they worked to repair any harm done.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>District officials required Lowell players to engage in relearning the sports code of conduct and held discussions on “being upstanders” when there is bullying or harassment.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The district said individual players took accountability for their individual actions. All players will be required to complete implicit bias and bullying and hazing training before the start of the spring season.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said Tuesday that he was aware of the incident and planned to follow up with the school, but that “it sounds like Lowell did the right thing.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“There should be no tolerance of hatred, for those types of remarks, that type of behavior,” Lurie said during an unrelated press conference.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s Jose Velazquez contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "School district officials did not release specifics, but the penalties follow reports of racial taunting at a Lowell High School game last spring.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/lowell-high-school\">Lowell High School’s\u003c/a> varsity baseball team must forfeit three games during the upcoming spring season, after an investigation by the San Francisco school district’s athletic conference found that an incident during last year’s junior varsity championship violated multiple rules. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>San Francisco Unified School District said Monday that it has also removed the team’s entire coaching staff, all of whom have been on leave since May when reports emerged of unsportsmanlike conduct. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/lowell-high-racial-misconduct-baseball-22271411.php\">\u003cem>San Francisco Chronicle\u003c/em>\u003c/a> said at the time that the conduct occurred at Lowell’s junior varsity championship game against Lincoln High School, where varsity coaches were reportedly present when “alleged race-based taunting by Lowell’s varsity players” occurred.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet.jpg\" alt=\"An exterior view of Lowell High School, a gray, boxy building.\" class=\"wp-image-10961135\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet.jpg 1600w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-400x300.jpg 400w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-1180x885.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-960x720.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This is the first year that Lowell High School offered ethnic studies. (Wikimedia Commons)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The district has not provided details about the incident, which the Chronicle’s May report attributed to inside sources.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Last week, the San Francisco Academic Athletic Conference informed school administrators that its investigation of the incident found that Lowell baseball violated multiple bylaws having to do with sportsmanship expectations, rooting section requirements and hazing policy.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As a result of the findings, the school district’s governing body for sports determined that Lowell will forfeit the first game of each of three double-headers next spring against local rivals Lincoln High School, Galileo Academy and Washington High School — teams that finished second through fourth in the league last season.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The forfeited games were chosen based on the standings last season and the impact it will have on standings in the 2026-2027 season,” commissioner Gail Barksdale wrote in message to school administrators. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Forfeiting the selected games will likely hurt the team, which has historically dominated its division.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Lowell won nine more games than second-place Lincoln in 2026 and snagged the vast majority of section championship titles over the last decade, including last year’s, just days after the purported taunting incident.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>An interim coach will be put in place for this year as the school searches for a permanent replacement for first-year head coach Michael Sera, who also taught physical education at Lowell before he was put on leave. Sera was only the third head coach of the team in the last four decades.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We want to emphasize that there is no place for racism, discrimination, or racialized harm in the Lowell community or anywhere in SFUSD,” a district spokesperson said via email. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>SFUSD said that after the incident was initially reported, Lowell administrators were in contact with the Lincoln team and affected students and families “to ensure that they worked to repair any harm done.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095564\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie speaks during Jose Ortega Elementary School’s first morning circle of the school year on Aug. 17, 2026, in San Francisco. (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>District officials required Lowell players to engage in relearning the sports code of conduct and held discussions on “being upstanders” when there is bullying or harassment.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The district said individual players took accountability for their individual actions. All players will be required to complete implicit bias and bullying and hazing training before the start of the spring season.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said Tuesday that he was aware of the incident and planned to follow up with the school, but that “it sounds like Lowell did the right thing.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There should be no tolerance of hatred, for those types of remarks, that type of behavior,” Lurie said during an unrelated press conference.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s Jose Velazquez contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\n\u003cp>When she moved to the Bay Area a few years ago, Rindala Alajaji swiftly became a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/giants\">San Francisco Giants\u003c/a> fan. She loved going to Oracle Park to see the team — and was especially appreciative of how inclusive and queer-friendly the games felt to her. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But that changed for Alajaji this year when, at \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089008/as-sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-continues-fans-recall-historic-1994-aids-benefit\">a June Pride Night celebration\u003c/a>, three Giants players protested the theme by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914206/sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-amplifies\">decorating their hats with Bible verses\u003c/a> often cited by anti-gay conservative Christians. One player refused to wear the rainbow-branded hat altogether. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I didn’t really think it would impact me as much as it did because it was kind of silly,” she said. “I’ve lived in Florida, where there’s a lot of bigots and homophobes that like to throw Bible verses at you, but I think, it being in San Francisco … It just felt like a slap in the face.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jump straight to what to know about:\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#basketball\">Supporting women’s basketball in the Bay Area\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#baseball\">Getting into women’s baseball in the region\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Alajaji added that she also felt let down by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914206/sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-amplifies\">the lukewarm reaction\u003c/a> to the controversy from the team’s management. She hadn’t watched a baseball game since. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Then came \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/2026/07/30/womens-pro-baseball-league-announces-star-studded-team-manager-lineup-for-historic-inaugural-season-set-to-start-august-1st/\">the Aug. 1 debut\u003c/a> of the Women’s Pro Baseball League — \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/08/08/nx-s1-5923371/womens-professional-baseball-league-debut\">the first such league in 70 years\u003c/a> — with the San Francisco Firebells as one of their founding teams. And then Alajaji fell in love with baseball again. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The captain is a queer woman, and there’s a lot of queer players and fans. And it’s a beautiful contrast,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For people like Alajaji, it’s a great time to be a women’s sports fan in the Bay Area. Women’s professional teams have been dominating the local scene in the past few years — the Bay Area was even \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6815888/2025/11/19/top-womens-sports-cities-list-bay-area/\">deemed\u003c/a> the “No. 1 women’s sports city in the U.S.” by \u003cem>The New York Times —\u003c/em> and even more leagues are \u003ca href=\"https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/05/20/bay-areas-womens-sports-boom-continues-with-pwhl-expansion/\">establishing franchises\u003c/a> in the region. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re witnessing the crazy history right now,” said San Francisco’s Ozzy Palacio, sports reporter and managing editor of the San Francisco State University student paper \u003ca href=\"https://goldengatexpress.org/\">\u003cem>Golden Gate Xpress\u003c/em>\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And as a longtime women’s soccer fan, “it’s super awesome to be at the epicenter of it here in the Bay Area,” Palacio said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘That passion for community’\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In addition to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wpbl_firebells/\">Firebells\u003c/a>, the Professional Women’s Hockey League \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhe29mjpUj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">announced\u003c/a> in May that it will be expanding to San José’s SAP Center. In July, a new pro volleyball team \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaibHt7nHiG/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">unveiled\u003c/a> its name — the San Francisco Signal — and logo.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And for many people in the Bay Area, the Golden State \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13984639/valkyries-wnba-2025-in-review\">Valkyries’ inaugural season\u003c/a> last year has been their gateway to sports in general. The Valkyries boasted consistent sold-out home games with an electric crowd, fan favorites and \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/nakase-named-2025-coach-of-the-year-20250917\">a Coach of the Year win for Natalie Nakase\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s drawing this interest from thousands and thousands — dare I say, hundreds of thousands of people — that never felt like they were able to be interested or involved in the sports world before,” said Palacio. “And that’s because they never had a way to see themselves through it.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097805\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 and Joely Leguizamon #13 of the San Francisco Firebells celebrate during the third inning against the Boston Hunters at Robin Roberts Stadium on Aug. 2, 2026, in Springfield, Illinois. (Zoe Davis/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Like, the Valkyries games are queer as fuck,” Palacio continued. “It’s awesome.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And it’s not just basketball. Soccer secured new fans thanks to the hype from local games of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/fifa\">the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup\u003c/a> this summer. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“People are, like, ‘Guys, can we keep hanging out on weekdays once the World Cup is over?’” recalled Palacio, who is primarily an \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfnighthawks.com/\">SF Nighthawks supporter\u003c/a>. “There’s that passion for community through sports.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Finding connection — and a voice\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Local businesses are also betting big on the women’s sports community. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">The Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar\u003c/a>, Rikki’s, opened in the Castro District last year and already has a reputation for being a major place for fans to gather. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Two other women’s sports bars are also slated to open in the future — \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thetwelfthmarin/\">one in Marin\u003c/a> later this year and \u003ca href=\"https://www.hysteriasportsbar.com/\">another in Oakland\u003c/a> in 2027.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The fact that several of these women’s teams \u003cem>are \u003c/em>in their exciting early stages also gives them more of a voice, Palacio argued. They said that many major women’s sports teams are run by people who ultimately “want to make money off of you.” But because these newer teams are so “fresh,” they continued, “they still need to listen to their fans.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12047881\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans cheer for the Valkyries at a watch party at White Horse Bar in Oakland, California, on July 12, 2025. The fan group ValQueeries hosted the watch party. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I don’t think a lot of people coming to sports through these major women’s sports teams are realizing that they have a lot of agency and a lot of choice in what the team does,” as opposed to men’s sports teams, Palacio said. “Their input is still very important at this stage.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That kind of voice has been apparent among Valkyries fans, who have \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/annkillion/article/valkyries-lynx-showdown-wnba-s-real-story-22395694.php\">rallied\u003c/a> at a basketball game to show appreciation for coach Nakase and player Gabby Williams’ \u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bay-area-news/2026-08-13/every-kind-of-person-is-here-fans-celebrate-the-valkyries-stance-on-inclusion\">expression\u003c/a> of support for transgender women in the Women’s National Basketball Association, as the league has become a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096193/the-wnba-has-a-politics-problem\">target\u003c/a> of conservatives. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“In the world and sports right now, there is just too much hate, too much hate speech. I would highly suggest that people continue to lead with love,” Nakase said, as \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebar.com/story/169495\">quoted\u003c/a> by \u003cem>The Bay Area Reporter\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Want to get involved in basketball and baseball fandom in the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the spirit of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13992300/finding-your-people-meetups-hobbies-making-friends-bay-area\">finding community\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914897/where-do-you-go-to-find-your-people\">connection in real life\u003c/a>, keep reading for a primer on how to support women’s basketball and baseball teams in the Bay Area — and where you can gather with other fans locally. Or you can also view our other\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12098165/the-quick-guide-to-the-bay-areas-professional-womens-sports-teams\"> guide to women’s hockey, soccer and rugby team fandoms \u003c/a>in the region. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Can’t find a space for your favorite team? Palacio recommended you \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074872/tips-for-hosting-parties-san-francisco-bay-area-making-friends-party-food-decorations-music\">organize one\u003c/a> yourself — and try to connect even beyond the season.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097787\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 of the San Francisco Firebells, Ashton Lansdell #1 of the Los Angeles Queens, Alli Schroder #16 of the Boston Hunters, and Denae Benites #2 of the New York Heights pose for a photo before the Women’s Pro Baseball League Opening Day game between New York Heights and the Los Angeles Queens at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, on Aug. 1, 2026. (Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If you asked \u003ca href=\"https://www.elriosf.com/\">El Rio\u003c/a>, ‘Hey, can we do a fucking women’s basketball comedy night?’ I’m sure they would say yes,” they said, referring to the legendary venue in the Mission District.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Remember: In addition to the booming professional sports scene, the Bay Area is home to several top-notch college sports programs. Those games are an excellent place to show ride-or-die support of women’s sports and watch young players as they become future stars.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"basketball\">Supporting women’s basketball in the Bay Area\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Golden State Valkyries are a WNBA team that debuted just last year. They usually play at Chase Center — aka Ballhalla — in San Francisco. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you do buy tickets to a game, be sure to get there a bit early to secure any freebies the venue hands out. For more tips, KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12080384/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-2026-ballhalla-chase-center-san-francisco-tickets-parking-bag-policy-merch\">a thorough guide on navigating the Chase Center\u003c/a> during basketball games.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Valkyries’ schedule lists different ways to \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/schedule?season=2026&month=all&location=all&opponent=all\">stream each game\u003c/a>, but you can usually watch live on KPIX 5 or on platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.peacocktv.com/sports/wnba\">Peacock\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.primevideo.com/tournament/amzn1.dv.icid.9128d05b-2c57-491d-89da-c49d779c5db4\">Amazon Prime Video\u003c/a> or \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/leaguepass?plan=annual\">WNBA League Pass\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083065\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ashley Richardson cheers during the Golden State Valkyries’ home opener against the Phoenix Mercury at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The WNBA regular season runs from the end of April to the end of September. The Valkyries \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/golden-state-valkyries-beat-dallas-clinch-wnba-22392328.php\">recently secured a spot\u003c/a> in the playoffs that follow. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And if you need yet another reason to get into the league? September will bring the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, with \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/natalie-nakase-fiba-womens-world-cup-assistant-coach-20260806\">Nakase serving\u003c/a> as the U.S. team’s assistant coach. And next summer, San Francisco will \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12095766/san-francisco-to-host-2027-wnba-all-star-game-at-chase-center\">host the WNBA All-Star Game\u003c/a> at Chase Center, featuring top players in the game.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Other major highlights: Violet, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980000/violet-valkyries-wnba-cute-mascot-purple-raven-glasses-reaction\">the Valkyries’ mascot\u003c/a> with adorable glasses and an amazingly snatched waist. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What other Bay Area women’s basketball teams can I support?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Women’s Premier Basketball Association has a host of \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenspba.com/stats#/2693/teams?division_id=49639\">Bay Area-based teams\u003c/a> so localized that you have a good chance of finding a team from your actual place of residence. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The teams include:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/San-Francisco-Riptide/61932?Women=1\">San Francisco Riptide\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Oakland-Swish/61934/Roster/2025?Women=1\">Oakland Swish\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Hayward-Reign/61931?Women=1\">Hayward Reign\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-City-Blaze/62028?Women=1\">Bay City Blaze\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Berkeley-Royals/61933?Women=1\">Berkeley Royals\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-Area-Phoenix/68881?Women=1\">Bay Area Phoenix\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Alameda-Wolves/61930?Women=1\">Alameda Wolves\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Tech-City-Titans/68882?Women=1\">Tech City Titans\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the women’s basketball community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The WNBA already has a pretty passionate base, and it’s only gotten bigger since the Valkyries’ inaugural year. KQED has published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla\">a comprehensive guide on navigating WNBA fandom\u003c/a> for super-new basketball fans.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And more good news: The fandom is pretty easy to participate in IRL. Sports journalist Maya Goldberg-Safir, who writes about \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/\">the WNBA in Rough Notes\u003c/a>, published a very thorough map of \u003ca href=\"https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1yIDpg_Y8ULIO2-IdC2H3wmR9nZeXbl4&ll=38.06201922218028%2C-121.05610149375002&z=8\">Valkyries fandom spots\u003c/a> throughout the Bay Area, including reliable bars that air women’s sports, parties, women’s/queer pickup basketball, and local groups like the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valqueeries/\">ValQueeries\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thepeopleswatchparty/\">People’s Watch Party\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr />\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1yIDpg_Y8ULIO2-IdC2H3wmR9nZeXbl4&ehbc=2E312F\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" scrolling=\"yes\" class=\"iframe-class\" frameborder=\"0\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s basketball?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bounce-the-valkyries-first-season-in-the-bay\">Bounce from KALW\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.flagrantmag.com/\">Flagrant Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/stud.budz\">StudBudz\u003c/a>, which features two Minnesota Lynx players\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/podcast/287-the-athletic-womens-basketball-show/\">No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wnba_gay\">WNBA Gay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wnbadata\">WNBA Data\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@SueBird\">Bird’s Eye View\u003c/a>, hosted by WNBA legend Sue Bird\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://defector.com/category/sports/womens-basketball/wnba\">Defector\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>If you really want to get into WNBA fandom: \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/p/rough-notes-lesbians-volume-3-overdue\">the Lesbians Google Doc\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"baseball\">Supporting women’s baseball in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>First off, it’s a great time to get into women’s baseball: The first women’s professional baseball league in 70 years \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/08/08/nx-s1-5923371/womens-professional-baseball-league-debut\">debuted\u003c/a> in August.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The San Francisco Firebells are one of the first four teams making up the Women’s Pro Baseball League, along with Los Angeles, Boston and New York. The team is named after Lillie “Firebelle Lil” Hitchcock Coit, who, according to the team’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/2026/07/08/introducing-the-first-four-inspired-by-legends/\">self-description\u003c/a>, “famously leapt into action to help San Francisco volunteer firefighters battle a blaze on Telegraph Hill.” (And yes, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12092325/time-travel-to-san-franciscos-past-at-these-local-haunts\">Coit Tower\u003c/a> was \u003ca href=\"https://sfrecpark.org/facilities/facility/details/Coit-Tower-290\">named\u003c/a> after her.)\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It has been so, so cool to be able to watch women play a sport that I love so much,” said Firebells fan Gil Lait of San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The six-week season will \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/schedule/\">run until early September\u003c/a>. But here’s the major catch for WPBL fans: All of the teams will be playing their games in Springfield, Illinois. You can watch these games live on ESPN or streamed on \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/watch/catalog/ea16443a-7b7e-3dad-8485-0cce2974e8ec/women-s-pro-baseball-league\">ESPN+\u003c/a>, but there are plans to \u003ca href=\"https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/08/07/the-economics-of-relaunching-womens-pro-baseball\">play in home cities\u003c/a> next year, too.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It feels like a small group, but it’s definitely a mighty group,” Lait said of the crowd watching WPBL games at Rikki’s and at \u003ca href=\"https://www.mothersf.com/\">Mother,\u003c/a> a Mission District lesbian bar. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“That’s what I love so much about the baseball community and women’s sports, in general,” they said. “There is really a space for people to learn. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re not gatekeeping who can be the best baseball fan.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area women’s baseball teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re looking to support the future of baseball, there’s the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/baysoxgirlsbaseball/\">SF Bay Sox Girls Baseball\u003c/a> for players ages 6 to 18. The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department \u003ca href=\"https://sfrecpark.org/1715/San-Francisco-Bay-Sox\">calls it\u003c/a> “the largest girls baseball program currently operating in the U.S.” One of the program’s alumni, Sebastopol’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/players/kaija-bazzano/\">Kaija Bazzano\u003c/a>, made it onto the \u003ca href=\"https://thefrisc.com/more-sf-girls-than-ever-are-playing-boys-high-school-baseball/\">roster\u003c/a> for the Firebells. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the women’s baseball community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There aren’t any dedicated women’s baseball rec leagues, but the \u003ca href=\"https://sfgsl.leagueapps.com/\">San Francisco Gay Softball League\u003c/a> has multiple divisions, both co-ed and women/nonbinary. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For beginners, Lait recommends \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfll.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2185154\">Fall Ball\u003c/a>, where teams are mixed-gender and have a more social feel. Those seeking a more competitive environment may want to play during the spring.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Rikki’s Bar is also airing the WPBL games.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s baseball? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/sportsgirlsclub\">Sports Girls Club\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://snatchmagazine.com/\">Snatch Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://thisiswomensbaseball.com/\">This Is Women’s Baseball\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://defector.com/the-new-womens-pro-baseball-league-offers-hope-and-frustrations\">Defector\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>When she moved to the Bay Area a few years ago, Rindala Alajaji swiftly became a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/giants\">San Francisco Giants\u003c/a> fan. She loved going to Oracle Park to see the team — and was especially appreciative of how inclusive and queer-friendly the games felt to her. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But that changed for Alajaji this year when, at \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089008/as-sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-continues-fans-recall-historic-1994-aids-benefit\">a June Pride Night celebration\u003c/a>, three Giants players protested the theme by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914206/sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-amplifies\">decorating their hats with Bible verses\u003c/a> often cited by anti-gay conservative Christians. One player refused to wear the rainbow-branded hat altogether. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I didn’t really think it would impact me as much as it did because it was kind of silly,” she said. “I’ve lived in Florida, where there’s a lot of bigots and homophobes that like to throw Bible verses at you, but I think, it being in San Francisco … It just felt like a slap in the face.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Alajaji added that she also felt let down by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914206/sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-amplifies\">the lukewarm reaction\u003c/a> to the controversy from the team’s management. She hadn’t watched a baseball game since. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Then came \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/2026/07/30/womens-pro-baseball-league-announces-star-studded-team-manager-lineup-for-historic-inaugural-season-set-to-start-august-1st/\">the Aug. 1 debut\u003c/a> of the Women’s Pro Baseball League — \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/08/08/nx-s1-5923371/womens-professional-baseball-league-debut\">the first such league in 70 years\u003c/a> — with the San Francisco Firebells as one of their founding teams. And then Alajaji fell in love with baseball again. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The captain is a queer woman, and there’s a lot of queer players and fans. And it’s a beautiful contrast,” she said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>For people like Alajaji, it’s a great time to be a women’s sports fan in the Bay Area. Women’s professional teams have been dominating the local scene in the past few years — the Bay Area was even \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6815888/2025/11/19/top-womens-sports-cities-list-bay-area/\">deemed\u003c/a> the “No. 1 women’s sports city in the U.S.” by \u003cem>The New York Times —\u003c/em> and even more leagues are \u003ca href=\"https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/05/20/bay-areas-womens-sports-boom-continues-with-pwhl-expansion/\">establishing franchises\u003c/a> in the region. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>For people like Alajaji, it’s a great time to be a women’s sports fan in the Bay Area. Women’s professional teams have been dominating the local scene in the past few years — the Bay Area was even \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6815888/2025/11/19/top-womens-sports-cities-list-bay-area/\">deemed\u003c/a> the “No. 1 women’s sports city in the U.S.” by \u003cem>The New York Times —\u003c/em> and even more leagues are \u003ca href=\"https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/05/20/bay-areas-womens-sports-boom-continues-with-pwhl-expansion/\">establishing franchises\u003c/a> in the region. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We’re witnessing the crazy history right now,” said San Francisco’s Ozzy Palacio, sports reporter and managing editor of the San Francisco State University student paper \u003ca href=\"https://goldengatexpress.org/\">\u003cem>Golden Gate Xpress\u003c/em>\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And as a longtime women’s soccer fan, “it’s super awesome to be at the epicenter of it here in the Bay Area,” Palacio said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In addition to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wpbl_firebells/\">Firebells\u003c/a>, the Professional Women’s Hockey League \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhe29mjpUj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">announced\u003c/a> in May that it will be expanding to San José’s SAP Center. In July, a new pro volleyball team \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaibHt7nHiG/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">unveiled\u003c/a> its name — the San Francisco Signal — and logo.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And for many people in the Bay Area, the Golden State \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13984639/valkyries-wnba-2025-in-review\">Valkyries’ inaugural season\u003c/a> last year has been their gateway to sports in general. The Valkyries boasted consistent sold-out home games with an electric crowd, fan favorites and \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/nakase-named-2025-coach-of-the-year-20250917\">a Coach of the Year win for Natalie Nakase\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s drawing this interest from thousands and thousands — dare I say, hundreds of thousands of people — that never felt like they were able to be interested or involved in the sports world before,” said Palacio. “And that’s because they never had a way to see themselves through it.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097805\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 and Joely Leguizamon #13 of the San Francisco Firebells celebrate during the third inning against the Boston Hunters at Robin Roberts Stadium on Aug. 2, 2026, in Springfield, Illinois. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Zoe Davis/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097805\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 and Joely Leguizamon #13 of the San Francisco Firebells celebrate during the third inning against the Boston Hunters at Robin Roberts Stadium on Aug. 2, 2026, in Springfield, Illinois. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Zoe Davis/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Like, the Valkyries games are queer as fuck,” Palacio continued. “It’s awesome.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And it’s not just basketball. Soccer secured new fans thanks to the hype from local games of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/fifa\">the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup\u003c/a> this summer. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>And it’s not just basketball. Soccer secured new fans thanks to the hype from local games of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/fifa\">the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup\u003c/a> this summer. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“People are, like, ‘Guys, can we keep hanging out on weekdays once the World Cup is over?’” recalled Palacio, who is primarily an \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfnighthawks.com/\">SF Nighthawks supporter\u003c/a>. “There’s that passion for community through sports.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“People are, like, ‘Guys, can we keep hanging out on weekdays once the World Cup is over?’” recalled Palacio, who is primarily an \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfnighthawks.com/\">SF Nighthawks supporter\u003c/a>. “There’s that passion for community through sports.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Local businesses are also betting big on the women’s sports community. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">The Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar\u003c/a>, Rikki’s, opened in the Castro District last year and already has a reputation for being a major place for fans to gather. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Local businesses are also betting big on the women’s sports community. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">The Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar\u003c/a>, Rikki’s, opened in the Castro District last year and already has a reputation for being a major place for fans to gather. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Two other women’s sports bars are also slated to open in the future — \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thetwelfthmarin/\">one in Marin\u003c/a> later this year and \u003ca href=\"https://www.hysteriasportsbar.com/\">another in Oakland\u003c/a> in 2027.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Two other women’s sports bars are also slated to open in the future — \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thetwelfthmarin/\">one in Marin\u003c/a> later this year and \u003ca href=\"https://www.hysteriasportsbar.com/\">another in Oakland\u003c/a> in 2027.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The fact that several of these women’s teams \u003cem>are \u003c/em>in their exciting early stages also gives them more of a voice, Palacio argued. They said that many major women’s sports teams are run by people who ultimately “want to make money off of you.” But because these newer teams are so “fresh,” they continued, “they still need to listen to their fans.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The fact that several of these women’s teams \u003cem>are \u003c/em>in their exciting early stages also gives them more of a voice, Palacio argued. They said that many major women’s sports teams are run by people who ultimately “want to make money off of you.” But because these newer teams are so “fresh,” they continued, “they still need to listen to their fans.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12047881\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans cheer for the Valkyries at a watch party at White Horse Bar in Oakland, California, on July 12, 2025. The fan group ValQueeries hosted the watch party.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12047881\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans cheer for the Valkyries at a watch party at White Horse Bar in Oakland, California, on July 12, 2025. The fan group ValQueeries hosted the watch party.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I don’t think a lot of people coming to sports through these major women’s sports teams are realizing that they have a lot of agency and a lot of choice in what the team does,” as opposed to men’s sports teams, Palacio said. “Their input is still very important at this stage.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“I don’t think a lot of people coming to sports through these major women’s sports teams are realizing that they have a lot of agency and a lot of choice in what the team does,” as opposed to men’s sports teams, Palacio said. “Their input is still very important at this stage.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That kind of voice has been apparent among Valkyries fans, who have \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/annkillion/article/valkyries-lynx-showdown-wnba-s-real-story-22395694.php\">rallied\u003c/a> at a basketball game to show appreciation for coach Nakase and player Gabby Williams’ \u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bay-area-news/2026-08-13/every-kind-of-person-is-here-fans-celebrate-the-valkyries-stance-on-inclusion\">expression\u003c/a> of support for transgender women in the Women’s National Basketball Association, as the league has become a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096193/the-wnba-has-a-politics-problem\">target\u003c/a> of conservatives. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>That kind of voice has been apparent among Valkyries fans, who have \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/annkillion/article/valkyries-lynx-showdown-wnba-s-real-story-22395694.php\">rallied\u003c/a> at a basketball game to show appreciation for coach Nakase and player Gabby Williams’ \u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bay-area-news/2026-08-13/every-kind-of-person-is-here-fans-celebrate-the-valkyries-stance-on-inclusion\">expression\u003c/a> of support for transgender women in the Women’s National Basketball Association, as the league has become a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096193/the-wnba-has-a-politics-problem\">target\u003c/a> of conservatives. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“In the world and sports right now, there is just too much hate, too much hate speech. I would highly suggest that people continue to lead with love,” Nakase said, as \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebar.com/story/169495\">quoted\u003c/a> by \u003cem>The Bay Area Reporter\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“In the world and sports right now, there is just too much hate, too much hate speech. I would highly suggest that people continue to lead with love,” Nakase said, as \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebar.com/story/169495\">quoted\u003c/a> by \u003cem>The Bay Area Reporter\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"attrs": {
"text": "Want to get involved in basketball and baseball fandom in the Bay Area?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Want to get involved in basketball and baseball fandom in the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Want to get involved in basketball and baseball fandom in the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In the spirit of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13992300/finding-your-people-meetups-hobbies-making-friends-bay-area\">finding community\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914897/where-do-you-go-to-find-your-people\">connection in real life\u003c/a>, keep reading for a primer on how to support women’s basketball and baseball teams in the Bay Area — and where you can gather with other fans locally. Or you can also view our other\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12098165/the-quick-guide-to-the-bay-areas-professional-womens-sports-teams\"> guide to women’s hockey, soccer and rugby team fandoms \u003c/a>in the region. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In the spirit of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13992300/finding-your-people-meetups-hobbies-making-friends-bay-area\">finding community\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914897/where-do-you-go-to-find-your-people\">connection in real life\u003c/a>, keep reading for a primer on how to support women’s basketball and baseball teams in the Bay Area — and where you can gather with other fans locally. Or you can also view our other\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12098165/the-quick-guide-to-the-bay-areas-professional-womens-sports-teams\"> guide to women’s hockey, soccer and rugby team fandoms \u003c/a>in the region. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Can’t find a space for your favorite team? Palacio recommended you \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074872/tips-for-hosting-parties-san-francisco-bay-area-making-friends-party-food-decorations-music\">organize one\u003c/a> yourself — and try to connect even beyond the season.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Can’t find a space for your favorite team? Palacio recommended you \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074872/tips-for-hosting-parties-san-francisco-bay-area-making-friends-party-food-decorations-music\">organize one\u003c/a> yourself — and try to connect even beyond the season.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097787\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 of the San Francisco Firebells, Ashton Lansdell #1 of the Los Angeles Queens, Alli Schroder #16 of the Boston Hunters, and Denae Benites #2 of the New York Heights pose for a photo before the Women’s Pro Baseball League Opening Day game between New York Heights and the Los Angeles Queens at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, on Aug. 1, 2026. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097787\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 of the San Francisco Firebells, Ashton Lansdell #1 of the Los Angeles Queens, Alli Schroder #16 of the Boston Hunters, and Denae Benites #2 of the New York Heights pose for a photo before the Women’s Pro Baseball League Opening Day game between New York Heights and the Los Angeles Queens at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, on Aug. 1, 2026. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“If you asked \u003ca href=\"https://www.elriosf.com/\">El Rio\u003c/a>, ‘Hey, can we do a fucking women’s basketball comedy night?’ I’m sure they would say yes,” they said, referring to the legendary venue in the Mission District.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“If you asked \u003ca href=\"https://www.elriosf.com/\">El Rio\u003c/a>, ‘Hey, can we do a fucking women’s basketball comedy night?’ I’m sure they would say yes,” they said, referring to the legendary venue in the Mission District.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Remember: In addition to the booming professional sports scene, the Bay Area is home to several top-notch college sports programs. Those games are an excellent place to show ride-or-die support of women’s sports and watch young players as they become future stars.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Remember: In addition to the booming professional sports scene, the Bay Area is home to several top-notch college sports programs. Those games are an excellent place to show ride-or-die support of women’s sports and watch young players as they become future stars.\u003c/p>\n"
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"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"basketball\">Supporting women’s basketball in the Bay Area\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Golden State Valkyries are a WNBA team that debuted just last year. They usually play at Chase Center — aka Ballhalla — in San Francisco. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Golden State Valkyries are a WNBA team that debuted just last year. They usually play at Chase Center — aka Ballhalla — in San Francisco. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you do buy tickets to a game, be sure to get there a bit early to secure any freebies the venue hands out. For more tips, KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12080384/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-2026-ballhalla-chase-center-san-francisco-tickets-parking-bag-policy-merch\">a thorough guide on navigating the Chase Center\u003c/a> during basketball games.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>If you do buy tickets to a game, be sure to get there a bit early to secure any freebies the venue hands out. For more tips, KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12080384/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-2026-ballhalla-chase-center-san-francisco-tickets-parking-bag-policy-merch\">a thorough guide on navigating the Chase Center\u003c/a> during basketball games.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Valkyries’ schedule lists different ways to \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/schedule?season=2026&month=all&location=all&opponent=all\">stream each game\u003c/a>, but you can usually watch live on KPIX 5 or on platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.peacocktv.com/sports/wnba\">Peacock\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.primevideo.com/tournament/amzn1.dv.icid.9128d05b-2c57-491d-89da-c49d779c5db4\">Amazon Prime Video\u003c/a> or \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/leaguepass?plan=annual\">WNBA League Pass\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The Valkyries’ schedule lists different ways to \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/schedule?season=2026&month=all&location=all&opponent=all\">stream each game\u003c/a>, but you can usually watch live on KPIX 5 or on platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.peacocktv.com/sports/wnba\">Peacock\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.primevideo.com/tournament/amzn1.dv.icid.9128d05b-2c57-491d-89da-c49d779c5db4\">Amazon Prime Video\u003c/a> or \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/leaguepass?plan=annual\">WNBA League Pass\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083065\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ashley Richardson cheers during the Golden State Valkyries’ home opener against the Phoenix Mercury at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083065\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ashley Richardson cheers during the Golden State Valkyries’ home opener against the Phoenix Mercury at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The WNBA regular season runs from the end of April to the end of September. The Valkyries \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/golden-state-valkyries-beat-dallas-clinch-wnba-22392328.php\">recently secured a spot\u003c/a> in the playoffs that follow. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The WNBA regular season runs from the end of April to the end of September. The Valkyries \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/golden-state-valkyries-beat-dallas-clinch-wnba-22392328.php\">recently secured a spot\u003c/a> in the playoffs that follow. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And if you need yet another reason to get into the league? September will bring the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, with \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/natalie-nakase-fiba-womens-world-cup-assistant-coach-20260806\">Nakase serving\u003c/a> as the U.S. team’s assistant coach. And next summer, San Francisco will \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12095766/san-francisco-to-host-2027-wnba-all-star-game-at-chase-center\">host the WNBA All-Star Game\u003c/a> at Chase Center, featuring top players in the game.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>And if you need yet another reason to get into the league? September will bring the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, with \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/natalie-nakase-fiba-womens-world-cup-assistant-coach-20260806\">Nakase serving\u003c/a> as the U.S. team’s assistant coach. And next summer, San Francisco will \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12095766/san-francisco-to-host-2027-wnba-all-star-game-at-chase-center\">host the WNBA All-Star Game\u003c/a> at Chase Center, featuring top players in the game.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Other major highlights: Violet, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980000/violet-valkyries-wnba-cute-mascot-purple-raven-glasses-reaction\">the Valkyries’ mascot\u003c/a> with adorable glasses and an amazingly snatched waist. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Other major highlights: Violet, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980000/violet-valkyries-wnba-cute-mascot-purple-raven-glasses-reaction\">the Valkyries’ mascot\u003c/a> with adorable glasses and an amazingly snatched waist. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What other Bay Area women’s basketball teams can I support?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What other Bay Area women’s basketball teams can I support?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Women’s Premier Basketball Association has a host of \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenspba.com/stats#/2693/teams?division_id=49639\">Bay Area-based teams\u003c/a> so localized that you have a good chance of finding a team from your actual place of residence. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The Women’s Premier Basketball Association has a host of \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenspba.com/stats#/2693/teams?division_id=49639\">Bay Area-based teams\u003c/a> so localized that you have a good chance of finding a team from your actual place of residence. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The teams include:\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The teams include:\u003c/p>\n"
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"San Francisco Riptide",
"Oakland Swish",
"Hayward Reign",
"Bay City Blaze",
"Berkeley Royals",
"Bay Area Phoenix",
"Alameda Wolves",
"Tech City Titans"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/San-Francisco-Riptide/61932?Women=1\">San Francisco Riptide\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/San-Francisco-Riptide/61932?Women=1\">San Francisco Riptide\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Oakland-Swish/61934/Roster/2025?Women=1\">Oakland Swish\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Oakland-Swish/61934/Roster/2025?Women=1\">Oakland Swish\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Hayward-Reign/61931?Women=1\">Hayward Reign\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Hayward-Reign/61931?Women=1\">Hayward Reign\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-City-Blaze/62028?Women=1\">Bay City Blaze\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-City-Blaze/62028?Women=1\">Bay City Blaze\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Berkeley-Royals/61933?Women=1\">Berkeley Royals\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Berkeley-Royals/61933?Women=1\">Berkeley Royals\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-Area-Phoenix/68881?Women=1\">Bay Area Phoenix\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-Area-Phoenix/68881?Women=1\">Bay Area Phoenix\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Alameda-Wolves/61930?Women=1\">Alameda Wolves\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Alameda-Wolves/61930?Women=1\">Alameda Wolves\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Tech-City-Titans/68882?Women=1\">Tech City Titans\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Tech-City-Titans/68882?Women=1\">Tech City Titans\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"text": "Where does the women’s basketball community hang out? "
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The WNBA already has a pretty passionate base, and it’s only gotten bigger since the Valkyries’ inaugural year. KQED has published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla\">a comprehensive guide on navigating WNBA fandom\u003c/a> for super-new basketball fans.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The WNBA already has a pretty passionate base, and it’s only gotten bigger since the Valkyries’ inaugural year. KQED has published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla\">a comprehensive guide on navigating WNBA fandom\u003c/a> for super-new basketball fans.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And more good news: The fandom is pretty easy to participate in IRL. Sports journalist Maya Goldberg-Safir, who writes about \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/\">the WNBA in Rough Notes\u003c/a>, published a very thorough map of \u003ca href=\"https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1yIDpg_Y8ULIO2-IdC2H3wmR9nZeXbl4&ll=38.06201922218028%2C-121.05610149375002&z=8\">Valkyries fandom spots\u003c/a> throughout the Bay Area, including reliable bars that air women’s sports, parties, women’s/queer pickup basketball, and local groups like the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valqueeries/\">ValQueeries\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thepeopleswatchparty/\">People’s Watch Party\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>And more good news: The fandom is pretty easy to participate in IRL. Sports journalist Maya Goldberg-Safir, who writes about \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/\">the WNBA in Rough Notes\u003c/a>, published a very thorough map of \u003ca href=\"https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1yIDpg_Y8ULIO2-IdC2H3wmR9nZeXbl4&ll=38.06201922218028%2C-121.05610149375002&z=8\">Valkyries fandom spots\u003c/a> throughout the Bay Area, including reliable bars that air women’s sports, parties, women’s/queer pickup basketball, and local groups like the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valqueeries/\">ValQueeries\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thepeopleswatchparty/\">People’s Watch Party\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n[iframe src=\"https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1yIDpg_Y8ULIO2-IdC2H3wmR9nZeXbl4&ehbc=2E312F\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"]\n",
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"text": "What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s basketball? "
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s basketball?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n",
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"Bounce from KALW",
"Flagrant Magazine",
"StudBudz, which features two Minnesota Lynx players",
"No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show",
"WNBA Gay",
"WNBA Data",
"Bird’s Eye View, hosted by WNBA legend Sue Bird",
"Defector",
"If you really want to get into WNBA fandom: the Lesbians Google Doc"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bounce-the-valkyries-first-season-in-the-bay\">Bounce from KALW\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bounce-the-valkyries-first-season-in-the-bay\">Bounce from KALW\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.flagrantmag.com/\">Flagrant Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/stud.budz\">StudBudz\u003c/a>, which features two Minnesota Lynx players\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/stud.budz\">StudBudz\u003c/a>, which features two Minnesota Lynx players\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/podcast/287-the-athletic-womens-basketball-show/\">No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/podcast/287-the-athletic-womens-basketball-show/\">No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wnba_gay\">WNBA Gay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wnba_gay\">WNBA Gay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wnbadata\">WNBA Data\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wnbadata\">WNBA Data\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@SueBird\">Bird’s Eye View\u003c/a>, hosted by WNBA legend Sue Bird\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@SueBird\">Bird’s Eye View\u003c/a>, hosted by WNBA legend Sue Bird\u003c/li>\n"
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},
{
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://defector.com/category/sports/womens-basketball/wnba\">Defector\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://defector.com/category/sports/womens-basketball/wnba\">Defector\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>If you really want to get into WNBA fandom: \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/p/rough-notes-lesbians-volume-3-overdue\">the Lesbians Google Doc\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>If you really want to get into WNBA fandom: \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/p/rough-notes-lesbians-volume-3-overdue\">the Lesbians Google Doc\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Supporting women’s baseball in the Bay Area",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"baseball\">Supporting women’s baseball in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n",
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "What should I know about the professional sports team? "
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/h3>\n",
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"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/h3>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>First off, it’s a great time to get into women’s baseball: The first women’s professional baseball league in 70 years \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/08/08/nx-s1-5923371/womens-professional-baseball-league-debut\">debuted\u003c/a> in August.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>First off, it’s a great time to get into women’s baseball: The first women’s professional baseball league in 70 years \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/08/08/nx-s1-5923371/womens-professional-baseball-league-debut\">debuted\u003c/a> in August.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The San Francisco Firebells are one of the first four teams making up the Women’s Pro Baseball League, along with Los Angeles, Boston and New York. The team is named after Lillie “Firebelle Lil” Hitchcock Coit, who, according to the team’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/2026/07/08/introducing-the-first-four-inspired-by-legends/\">self-description\u003c/a>, “famously leapt into action to help San Francisco volunteer firefighters battle a blaze on Telegraph Hill.” (And yes, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12092325/time-travel-to-san-franciscos-past-at-these-local-haunts\">Coit Tower\u003c/a> was \u003ca href=\"https://sfrecpark.org/facilities/facility/details/Coit-Tower-290\">named\u003c/a> after her.)\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It has been so, so cool to be able to watch women play a sport that I love so much,” said Firebells fan Gil Lait of San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The six-week season will \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/schedule/\">run until early September\u003c/a>. But here’s the major catch for WPBL fans: All of the teams will be playing their games in Springfield, Illinois. You can watch these games live on ESPN or streamed on \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/watch/catalog/ea16443a-7b7e-3dad-8485-0cce2974e8ec/women-s-pro-baseball-league\">ESPN+\u003c/a>, but there are plans to \u003ca href=\"https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/08/07/the-economics-of-relaunching-womens-pro-baseball\">play in home cities\u003c/a> next year, too.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The six-week season will \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/schedule/\">run until early September\u003c/a>. But here’s the major catch for WPBL fans: All of the teams will be playing their games in Springfield, Illinois. You can watch these games live on ESPN or streamed on \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/watch/catalog/ea16443a-7b7e-3dad-8485-0cce2974e8ec/women-s-pro-baseball-league\">ESPN+\u003c/a>, but there are plans to \u003ca href=\"https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/08/07/the-economics-of-relaunching-womens-pro-baseball\">play in home cities\u003c/a> next year, too.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It feels like a small group, but it’s definitely a mighty group,” Lait said of the crowd watching WPBL games at Rikki’s and at \u003ca href=\"https://www.mothersf.com/\">Mother,\u003c/a> a Mission District lesbian bar. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“It feels like a small group, but it’s definitely a mighty group,” Lait said of the crowd watching WPBL games at Rikki’s and at \u003ca href=\"https://www.mothersf.com/\">Mother,\u003c/a> a Mission District lesbian bar. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“That’s what I love so much about the baseball community and women’s sports, in general,” they said. “There is really a space for people to learn. \u003c/p>\n",
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"text": "Are there other Bay Area women’s baseball teams I can support?"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you’re looking to support the future of baseball, there’s the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/baysoxgirlsbaseball/\">SF Bay Sox Girls Baseball\u003c/a> for players ages 6 to 18. The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department \u003ca href=\"https://sfrecpark.org/1715/San-Francisco-Bay-Sox\">calls it\u003c/a> “the largest girls baseball program currently operating in the U.S.” One of the program’s alumni, Sebastopol’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/players/kaija-bazzano/\">Kaija Bazzano\u003c/a>, made it onto the \u003ca href=\"https://thefrisc.com/more-sf-girls-than-ever-are-playing-boys-high-school-baseball/\">roster\u003c/a> for the Firebells. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>If you’re looking to support the future of baseball, there’s the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/baysoxgirlsbaseball/\">SF Bay Sox Girls Baseball\u003c/a> for players ages 6 to 18. The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department \u003ca href=\"https://sfrecpark.org/1715/San-Francisco-Bay-Sox\">calls it\u003c/a> “the largest girls baseball program currently operating in the U.S.” One of the program’s alumni, Sebastopol’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/players/kaija-bazzano/\">Kaija Bazzano\u003c/a>, made it onto the \u003ca href=\"https://thefrisc.com/more-sf-girls-than-ever-are-playing-boys-high-school-baseball/\">roster\u003c/a> for the Firebells. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There aren’t any dedicated women’s baseball rec leagues, but the \u003ca href=\"https://sfgsl.leagueapps.com/\">San Francisco Gay Softball League\u003c/a> has multiple divisions, both co-ed and women/nonbinary. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>There aren’t any dedicated women’s baseball rec leagues, but the \u003ca href=\"https://sfgsl.leagueapps.com/\">San Francisco Gay Softball League\u003c/a> has multiple divisions, both co-ed and women/nonbinary. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>For beginners, Lait recommends \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfll.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2185154\">Fall Ball\u003c/a>, where teams are mixed-gender and have a more social feel. Those seeking a more competitive environment may want to play during the spring.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>For beginners, Lait recommends \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfll.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2185154\">Fall Ball\u003c/a>, where teams are mixed-gender and have a more social feel. Those seeking a more competitive environment may want to play during the spring.\u003c/p>\n"
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>When she moved to the Bay Area a few years ago, Rindala Alajaji swiftly became a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/giants\">San Francisco Giants\u003c/a> fan. She loved going to Oracle Park to see the team — and was especially appreciative of how inclusive and queer-friendly the games felt to her. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But that changed for Alajaji this year when, at \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089008/as-sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-continues-fans-recall-historic-1994-aids-benefit\">a June Pride Night celebration\u003c/a>, three Giants players protested the theme by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914206/sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-amplifies\">decorating their hats with Bible verses\u003c/a> often cited by anti-gay conservative Christians. One player refused to wear the rainbow-branded hat altogether. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I didn’t really think it would impact me as much as it did because it was kind of silly,” she said. “I’ve lived in Florida, where there’s a lot of bigots and homophobes that like to throw Bible verses at you, but I think, it being in San Francisco … It just felt like a slap in the face.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jump straight to what to know about:\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#basketball\">Supporting women’s basketball in the Bay Area\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#baseball\">Getting into women’s baseball in the region\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Alajaji added that she also felt let down by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914206/sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-amplifies\">the lukewarm reaction\u003c/a> to the controversy from the team’s management. She hadn’t watched a baseball game since. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Then came \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/2026/07/30/womens-pro-baseball-league-announces-star-studded-team-manager-lineup-for-historic-inaugural-season-set-to-start-august-1st/\">the Aug. 1 debut\u003c/a> of the Women’s Pro Baseball League — \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/08/08/nx-s1-5923371/womens-professional-baseball-league-debut\">the first such league in 70 years\u003c/a> — with the San Francisco Firebells as one of their founding teams. And then Alajaji fell in love with baseball again. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The captain is a queer woman, and there’s a lot of queer players and fans. And it’s a beautiful contrast,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For people like Alajaji, it’s a great time to be a women’s sports fan in the Bay Area. Women’s professional teams have been dominating the local scene in the past few years — the Bay Area was even \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6815888/2025/11/19/top-womens-sports-cities-list-bay-area/\">deemed\u003c/a> the “No. 1 women’s sports city in the U.S.” by \u003cem>The New York Times —\u003c/em> and even more leagues are \u003ca href=\"https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/05/20/bay-areas-womens-sports-boom-continues-with-pwhl-expansion/\">establishing franchises\u003c/a> in the region. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re witnessing the crazy history right now,” said San Francisco’s Ozzy Palacio, sports reporter and managing editor of the San Francisco State University student paper \u003ca href=\"https://goldengatexpress.org/\">\u003cem>Golden Gate Xpress\u003c/em>\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And as a longtime women’s soccer fan, “it’s super awesome to be at the epicenter of it here in the Bay Area,” Palacio said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘That passion for community’\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In addition to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wpbl_firebells/\">Firebells\u003c/a>, the Professional Women’s Hockey League \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhe29mjpUj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">announced\u003c/a> in May that it will be expanding to San José’s SAP Center. In July, a new pro volleyball team \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaibHt7nHiG/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">unveiled\u003c/a> its name — the San Francisco Signal — and logo.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And for many people in the Bay Area, the Golden State \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13984639/valkyries-wnba-2025-in-review\">Valkyries’ inaugural season\u003c/a> last year has been their gateway to sports in general. The Valkyries boasted consistent sold-out home games with an electric crowd, fan favorites and \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/nakase-named-2025-coach-of-the-year-20250917\">a Coach of the Year win for Natalie Nakase\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s drawing this interest from thousands and thousands — dare I say, hundreds of thousands of people — that never felt like they were able to be interested or involved in the sports world before,” said Palacio. “And that’s because they never had a way to see themselves through it.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097805\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 and Joely Leguizamon #13 of the San Francisco Firebells celebrate during the third inning against the Boston Hunters at Robin Roberts Stadium on Aug. 2, 2026, in Springfield, Illinois. (Zoe Davis/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Like, the Valkyries games are queer as fuck,” Palacio continued. “It’s awesome.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And it’s not just basketball. Soccer secured new fans thanks to the hype from local games of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/fifa\">the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup\u003c/a> this summer. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“People are, like, ‘Guys, can we keep hanging out on weekdays once the World Cup is over?’” recalled Palacio, who is primarily an \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfnighthawks.com/\">SF Nighthawks supporter\u003c/a>. “There’s that passion for community through sports.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Finding connection — and a voice\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Local businesses are also betting big on the women’s sports community. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">The Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar\u003c/a>, Rikki’s, opened in the Castro District last year and already has a reputation for being a major place for fans to gather. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Two other women’s sports bars are also slated to open in the future — \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thetwelfthmarin/\">one in Marin\u003c/a> later this year and \u003ca href=\"https://www.hysteriasportsbar.com/\">another in Oakland\u003c/a> in 2027.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The fact that several of these women’s teams \u003cem>are \u003c/em>in their exciting early stages also gives them more of a voice, Palacio argued. They said that many major women’s sports teams are run by people who ultimately “want to make money off of you.” But because these newer teams are so “fresh,” they continued, “they still need to listen to their fans.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12047881\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans cheer for the Valkyries at a watch party at White Horse Bar in Oakland, California, on July 12, 2025. The fan group ValQueeries hosted the watch party. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I don’t think a lot of people coming to sports through these major women’s sports teams are realizing that they have a lot of agency and a lot of choice in what the team does,” as opposed to men’s sports teams, Palacio said. “Their input is still very important at this stage.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That kind of voice has been apparent among Valkyries fans, who have \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/annkillion/article/valkyries-lynx-showdown-wnba-s-real-story-22395694.php\">rallied\u003c/a> at a basketball game to show appreciation for coach Nakase and player Gabby Williams’ \u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bay-area-news/2026-08-13/every-kind-of-person-is-here-fans-celebrate-the-valkyries-stance-on-inclusion\">expression\u003c/a> of support for transgender women in the Women’s National Basketball Association, as the league has become a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096193/the-wnba-has-a-politics-problem\">target\u003c/a> of conservatives. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“In the world and sports right now, there is just too much hate, too much hate speech. I would highly suggest that people continue to lead with love,” Nakase said, as \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebar.com/story/169495\">quoted\u003c/a> by \u003cem>The Bay Area Reporter\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Want to get involved in basketball and baseball fandom in the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the spirit of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13992300/finding-your-people-meetups-hobbies-making-friends-bay-area\">finding community\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914897/where-do-you-go-to-find-your-people\">connection in real life\u003c/a>, keep reading for a primer on how to support women’s basketball and baseball teams in the Bay Area — and where you can gather with other fans locally. Or you can also view our other\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12098165/the-quick-guide-to-the-bay-areas-professional-womens-sports-teams\"> guide to women’s hockey, soccer and rugby team fandoms \u003c/a>in the region. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Can’t find a space for your favorite team? Palacio recommended you \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074872/tips-for-hosting-parties-san-francisco-bay-area-making-friends-party-food-decorations-music\">organize one\u003c/a> yourself — and try to connect even beyond the season.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097787\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 of the San Francisco Firebells, Ashton Lansdell #1 of the Los Angeles Queens, Alli Schroder #16 of the Boston Hunters, and Denae Benites #2 of the New York Heights pose for a photo before the Women’s Pro Baseball League Opening Day game between New York Heights and the Los Angeles Queens at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, on Aug. 1, 2026. (Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If you asked \u003ca href=\"https://www.elriosf.com/\">El Rio\u003c/a>, ‘Hey, can we do a fucking women’s basketball comedy night?’ I’m sure they would say yes,” they said, referring to the legendary venue in the Mission District.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Remember: In addition to the booming professional sports scene, the Bay Area is home to several top-notch college sports programs. Those games are an excellent place to show ride-or-die support of women’s sports and watch young players as they become future stars.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"basketball\">Supporting women’s basketball in the Bay Area\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Golden State Valkyries are a WNBA team that debuted just last year. They usually play at Chase Center — aka Ballhalla — in San Francisco. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you do buy tickets to a game, be sure to get there a bit early to secure any freebies the venue hands out. For more tips, KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12080384/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-2026-ballhalla-chase-center-san-francisco-tickets-parking-bag-policy-merch\">a thorough guide on navigating the Chase Center\u003c/a> during basketball games.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Valkyries’ schedule lists different ways to \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/schedule?season=2026&month=all&location=all&opponent=all\">stream each game\u003c/a>, but you can usually watch live on KPIX 5 or on platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.peacocktv.com/sports/wnba\">Peacock\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.primevideo.com/tournament/amzn1.dv.icid.9128d05b-2c57-491d-89da-c49d779c5db4\">Amazon Prime Video\u003c/a> or \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/leaguepass?plan=annual\">WNBA League Pass\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083065\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ashley Richardson cheers during the Golden State Valkyries’ home opener against the Phoenix Mercury at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The WNBA regular season runs from the end of April to the end of September. The Valkyries \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/golden-state-valkyries-beat-dallas-clinch-wnba-22392328.php\">recently secured a spot\u003c/a> in the playoffs that follow. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And if you need yet another reason to get into the league? September will bring the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, with \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/natalie-nakase-fiba-womens-world-cup-assistant-coach-20260806\">Nakase serving\u003c/a> as the U.S. team’s assistant coach. And next summer, San Francisco will \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12095766/san-francisco-to-host-2027-wnba-all-star-game-at-chase-center\">host the WNBA All-Star Game\u003c/a> at Chase Center, featuring top players in the game.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Other major highlights: Violet, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980000/violet-valkyries-wnba-cute-mascot-purple-raven-glasses-reaction\">the Valkyries’ mascot\u003c/a> with adorable glasses and an amazingly snatched waist. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What other Bay Area women’s basketball teams can I support?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Women’s Premier Basketball Association has a host of \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenspba.com/stats#/2693/teams?division_id=49639\">Bay Area-based teams\u003c/a> so localized that you have a good chance of finding a team from your actual place of residence. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The teams include:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/San-Francisco-Riptide/61932?Women=1\">San Francisco Riptide\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Oakland-Swish/61934/Roster/2025?Women=1\">Oakland Swish\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Hayward-Reign/61931?Women=1\">Hayward Reign\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-City-Blaze/62028?Women=1\">Bay City Blaze\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Berkeley-Royals/61933?Women=1\">Berkeley Royals\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-Area-Phoenix/68881?Women=1\">Bay Area Phoenix\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Alameda-Wolves/61930?Women=1\">Alameda Wolves\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Tech-City-Titans/68882?Women=1\">Tech City Titans\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the women’s basketball community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The WNBA already has a pretty passionate base, and it’s only gotten bigger since the Valkyries’ inaugural year. KQED has published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla\">a comprehensive guide on navigating WNBA fandom\u003c/a> for super-new basketball fans.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And more good news: The fandom is pretty easy to participate in IRL. Sports journalist Maya Goldberg-Safir, who writes about \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/\">the WNBA in Rough Notes\u003c/a>, published a very thorough map of \u003ca href=\"https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1yIDpg_Y8ULIO2-IdC2H3wmR9nZeXbl4&ll=38.06201922218028%2C-121.05610149375002&z=8\">Valkyries fandom spots\u003c/a> throughout the Bay Area, including reliable bars that air women’s sports, parties, women’s/queer pickup basketball, and local groups like the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valqueeries/\">ValQueeries\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thepeopleswatchparty/\">People’s Watch Party\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr />\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1yIDpg_Y8ULIO2-IdC2H3wmR9nZeXbl4&ehbc=2E312F\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" scrolling=\"yes\" class=\"iframe-class\" frameborder=\"0\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s basketball?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bounce-the-valkyries-first-season-in-the-bay\">Bounce from KALW\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.flagrantmag.com/\">Flagrant Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/stud.budz\">StudBudz\u003c/a>, which features two Minnesota Lynx players\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/podcast/287-the-athletic-womens-basketball-show/\">No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wnba_gay\">WNBA Gay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wnbadata\">WNBA Data\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@SueBird\">Bird’s Eye View\u003c/a>, hosted by WNBA legend Sue Bird\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://defector.com/category/sports/womens-basketball/wnba\">Defector\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>If you really want to get into WNBA fandom: \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/p/rough-notes-lesbians-volume-3-overdue\">the Lesbians Google Doc\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"baseball\">Supporting women’s baseball in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>First off, it’s a great time to get into women’s baseball: The first women’s professional baseball league in 70 years \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/08/08/nx-s1-5923371/womens-professional-baseball-league-debut\">debuted\u003c/a> in August.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The San Francisco Firebells are one of the first four teams making up the Women’s Pro Baseball League, along with Los Angeles, Boston and New York. The team is named after Lillie “Firebelle Lil” Hitchcock Coit, who, according to the team’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/2026/07/08/introducing-the-first-four-inspired-by-legends/\">self-description\u003c/a>, “famously leapt into action to help San Francisco volunteer firefighters battle a blaze on Telegraph Hill.” (And yes, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12092325/time-travel-to-san-franciscos-past-at-these-local-haunts\">Coit Tower\u003c/a> was \u003ca href=\"https://sfrecpark.org/facilities/facility/details/Coit-Tower-290\">named\u003c/a> after her.)\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It has been so, so cool to be able to watch women play a sport that I love so much,” said Firebells fan Gil Lait of San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The six-week season will \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/schedule/\">run until early September\u003c/a>. But here’s the major catch for WPBL fans: All of the teams will be playing their games in Springfield, Illinois. You can watch these games live on ESPN or streamed on \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/watch/catalog/ea16443a-7b7e-3dad-8485-0cce2974e8ec/women-s-pro-baseball-league\">ESPN+\u003c/a>, but there are plans to \u003ca href=\"https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/08/07/the-economics-of-relaunching-womens-pro-baseball\">play in home cities\u003c/a> next year, too.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It feels like a small group, but it’s definitely a mighty group,” Lait said of the crowd watching WPBL games at Rikki’s and at \u003ca href=\"https://www.mothersf.com/\">Mother,\u003c/a> a Mission District lesbian bar. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“That’s what I love so much about the baseball community and women’s sports, in general,” they said. “There is really a space for people to learn. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re not gatekeeping who can be the best baseball fan.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area women’s baseball teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re looking to support the future of baseball, there’s the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/baysoxgirlsbaseball/\">SF Bay Sox Girls Baseball\u003c/a> for players ages 6 to 18. The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department \u003ca href=\"https://sfrecpark.org/1715/San-Francisco-Bay-Sox\">calls it\u003c/a> “the largest girls baseball program currently operating in the U.S.” One of the program’s alumni, Sebastopol’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/players/kaija-bazzano/\">Kaija Bazzano\u003c/a>, made it onto the \u003ca href=\"https://thefrisc.com/more-sf-girls-than-ever-are-playing-boys-high-school-baseball/\">roster\u003c/a> for the Firebells. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the women’s baseball community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There aren’t any dedicated women’s baseball rec leagues, but the \u003ca href=\"https://sfgsl.leagueapps.com/\">San Francisco Gay Softball League\u003c/a> has multiple divisions, both co-ed and women/nonbinary. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For beginners, Lait recommends \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfll.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2185154\">Fall Ball\u003c/a>, where teams are mixed-gender and have a more social feel. Those seeking a more competitive environment may want to play during the spring.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Rikki’s Bar is also airing the WPBL games.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s baseball? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/sportsgirlsclub\">Sports Girls Club\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://snatchmagazine.com/\">Snatch Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://thisiswomensbaseball.com/\">This Is Women’s Baseball\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://defector.com/the-new-womens-pro-baseball-league-offers-hope-and-frustrations\">Defector\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "why-are-there-so-many-public-golf-courses-in-the-bay-area",
"title": "Why Are There So Many Public Golf Courses in the Bay Area?",
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"headTitle": "Why Are There So Many Public Golf Courses in the Bay Area? | KQED",
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"content": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>\u003ca href=\"#episode-transcript\">View the full episode transcript.\u003c/a>\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Oakland resident Mary Newson would hike regularly in the parks up in the Oakland and Berkeley hills. It was a pleasant way to get outside, and there was no one around — even on a usually busy golf course near \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/parks/anthony-chabot\">Anthony Chabot Regional Park.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There were deer and bunnies and geese and ducks and turkeys and all these animals that had just converged onto the golf course because nobody was using it,” she said. “That was really a beautiful thing to see.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But then, the restrictions started to let up, things started to reopen, and Mary would start to find dozens of golf balls on her walks. It made her wonder: Why are there so many golf courses in public parks around the Bay Area? Can and should she visit as a non-golfer? And what is their financial relationship to the park?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083077\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golfers practice at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>“I wasn’t sure how they worked, and if there was any sort of financial relationship, administrative relationship between the larger park and the golf course that sort of made them work together,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As it turns out, golf — and public golf, in particular — has a storied history in the Bay Area. And apart from a few conversions, mostly of private golf courses, these public greens are unlikely to be going anywhere soon.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Jump straight to:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#private\">The difference between public and private golf courses\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#make-money\">How public courses do or don’t make money for local parks\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#converting-golf-courses\">Golf course conversions underway in the Bay Area\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#visit-a-golf-course\">What to know if you’re visiting a public golf course for the first time\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the history of golf courses in the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The sport of golf made its way to the Bay Area with the arrival of Scottish immigrants in the 1890s and early 20th century, explained Richard Harris, who advocates for accessible golf with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfpublicgolf.org/\">San Francisco Public Golf Alliance.\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That included influential city leaders like John McLaren, the “father of Golden Gate Park,” who was a Scot. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083083\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Richard Harris, president of the SF Public Golf Alliance, poses for a portrait at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>McLaren, Harris said, was influential in creating Lincoln Park and Harding Park in San Francisco, as well as \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfpublicgolf.org/index.php/save/alister-mackenzies-sharp-park\">Pacifica’s Sharp Park\u003c/a>, designed by famous golf architect Alister MacKenzie. These are all public, not private golf courses, and are considered to be world-class, he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Golf has been an important part of the Bay Area for a long time,” Harris said. “It’s one of the major golf areas in the country, and, for that matter, in the world.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"private\">What makes a public golf course different from a private one?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Public golf courses are those owned by local governments or parks districts. In the Bay Area, they tend to be inside or next to public parks you may know or frequent.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Municipal golf courses help lower barriers to the sport by being accessible and relatively cheap, said Lily Achatz, president of the Harding Park Women’s Golf Club and a member of the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083084\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lily Achatz, president of Harding Park Women’s Golf Club, poses for a portrait at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>A private golf club could run you thousands of dollars in initiation fees, monthly dues and food and beverage minimums. A round at a public golf course, meanwhile, ranges from $30 to $100, with discounts for residents. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s stunning and what makes it so wonderful is that there’s all different generations here,” Achatz said. “The municipal courses are so important because it’s hard to get access to a country club or even be accepted.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"make-money\">Do golf courses make money for public parks?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Depending on the city or parks district, public golf courses can be real money-makers. Max Korten, acting general manager of the East Bay Regional Parks District, said Tilden Golf Course made the district $800,000 last year. It was the most profitable concession in the entire parks district last year, \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/sites/default/files/fy26-adopted-operating-capital-projects-budgets-w-bookmarks.pdf\">according to district documents.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That’s not the case with every city or district. In San Francisco, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/sf-golfers-grumble-over-course-privatization-plan-20184922.php\">the city is subsidizing the courses’ expected $6 million deficit\u003c/a> and has \u003ca href=\"https://sfstandard.com/2025/07/22/sf-parks-fees/\">begun raising rates\u003c/a> at some public courses to help close the gap. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the East Bay, course fees are limited by a public board to keep fees low-cost for residents, Korten said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"converting-golf-courses\">Have there been any talks of converting golf courses to other uses?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There’s no widespread movement to convert golf courses in the Bay Area into other uses. But there are two notable examples of private golf courses undergoing their own transformations. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The most controversial right now is Pleasant Hills in San José. It’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074738/housing-advocates-call-this-big-plot-of-san-jose-land-the-most-important-in-a-century\">a former private 115-acre golf course\u003c/a> that may become 2,000 new homes with some commercial and open space. It’s currently in environmental review as the community goes back and forth on what to do with it. What to do has become a fight, said Manira Sandhir, deputy director of planning for the city of San José. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083080\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12083082\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04043-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083082\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04043-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04043-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04043-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golfers play a game at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12083078\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03155-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083078\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03155-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03155-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03155-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golf balls line the ground at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“On one hand we have the community who’s directly affected by this project and has expressed concerns about the traffic that it would generate,” she said. It’s located in a highly car-dependent area, and there’s not a lot of transit or freeway access there either. “But then on the other hand, we have housing advocates who want to see more housing at the site, and they feel that putting 2,000 units at the site would be underutilization of this really large acreage that’s available for development.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The course, Sandhir said, was established in the 1960s but closed in 2004, likely for financial reasons — so not explicitly for this conversion. Sandhir said it’s likely to be years before the dust settles and a coherent plan for the site emerges.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Farther to the north, in Marin County’s San Geronimo Valley, another golf course has seen the end of its days. The Trust for Public Land, a land conservation organization, converted what was once a private 18-hole golf course into \u003ca href=\"https://www.tpl.org/our-work/san-geronimo-commons\">San Geronimo Commons\u003c/a>, a public park that fills a missing connection to surrounding open spaces, restores water rights to the Larson Creek and returns the land to its former function as a wetland. A county firehouse has even taken over the old golf clubhouse.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I do think cities, park systems across the country, certainly in California, are rethinking their inventory and what can happen,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The car paths became walking paths, the sand traps became sandboxes for the kids,” said Guillermo Rodriguez, Trust for Public Land’s California director. He said this is one of four golf course conversions they have helped lead in the state, part of what he sees as a growing trend in California.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The San Geronimo conversion wasn’t without its own controversy. After purchasing the property in 2018, Trust for Public Land launched a two-year process to narrow down what the community wanted from the property – and not everyone agreed.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We had a lot of passionate golfers who had lots of memories tied to that facility,” he said. “And while, yes, there were other facilities they could go play golf in, they had history there, and so we had to work through that.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Senior manager on the project Erica Williams said in some ways, the COVID-19 pandemic set the stage for the transition of the property — opening people’s imaginations to how their community spaces could look. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“With the pandemic, I think that really allowed people to connect with the landscape, to reconnect with the land and to imagine a future,” she said. “It became a sanctuary.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"visit-a-golf-course\">Can I visit a golf course as a non-golfer?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Municipal golf courses are open to everyone, whether you want to reserve a tee time to try your hand at playing, practice your swing at the driving range, or just hang out at the cafes and restaurants onsite. Unlike private courses, there is no dress code at public golf courses. Dogs are not allowed.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While walking along the course if you’re not playing generally isn’t allowed (getting hit by a ball is a real risk), many courses like Tilden have walking trails nearby that are open to anyone. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you want to play a round of golf, you should plan to book a tee time in advance. Public courses also offer golf club rentals if you don’t have any of your own.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cp>[baycuriousquestion]\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"episode-transcript\">Episode transcript\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> It’s the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, and everything is shut down – even the gym. So Bay Curious listener Mary Newsom decided to go for a walk. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Music starts\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> I live in Oakland. And so I would usually sort of go up to the ridgeline and start hiking and all the regional parks that are up on the ridgeline.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Eventually, Mary made her way up to Anthony Chabot Regional Park. Given the pandemic, there was no one around.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>And so one of the golf courses that’s right alongside Chabot was completely empty. There were, like, deer and bunnies and geese and ducks and turkeys and like all these animals. That it just converged onto the golf course because nobody was using it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> But then, the restrictions started to let up, and things started to reopen, and Mary would start to find dozens of golf balls on her walks.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>It sort of made me wonder about the relationship between the park and the golf course that’s right up against it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Mary looked into what other municipal golf courses are located inside public parks, and the list is really quite long…\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Golden Gate Park, Presidio, Lincoln Park, Gleneagles, Tilden Park, Lake Chabot, Redwood Canyon, Sequoia…\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>And that’s just a partial list. This all got Mary wondering about the relationship between public parks and the golf courses within them.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Why are there so many golf courses in the Bay Area right next to, or inside public parks? Do they subsidize the parks? \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>We sent KQED’s outdoors reporter, Sarah Wright, to take a swing at finding some answers. She started, as you might expect, at Hole 1.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Birds chirping, golf balls getting whacked\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> The Golden Gate Park Golf Course is set up on a hill, right by San Francisco’s Ocean Beach. The breeze is strong, and a hawk has been circling overhead as a new set of golfers sets up at the first hole every 15 minutes. Here, I run into Lizzie Yurchak. She lives in the Pacific Heights neighborhood, and she came out to play the course today with a coworker who is from out of town.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak: \u003c/strong>He lives in Texas, so we were like, what’s something fun we can do while he’s visiting the Bay.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> It’s her first time out to this course — actually, her first time golfing in the Bay Area since she moved here from Philadelphia.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak:\u003c/strong> I don’t have my clubs out here, so maybe I’ll feel inspired today. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>And what are your goals for today on the golf course?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak: \u003c/strong>Um, don’t shank it. And don’t lose foul balls. I think that’s about it. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>She does not, in fact, shank it. I watch as she lines up for a stroke.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Lizzie hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man:\u003c/strong> There we go!\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Besides meeting golfers like Lizzie, I’m actually here to meet Richard Harris and Lily Achatz. They’re with the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance, which advocates for affordable golf in the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>Hi, Sarah.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> Lily, great to meet you. Thanks for having me.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>Of course!\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> I am here to ask them Mary’s question. Why are there so many golf courses in public parks in the Bay Area?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>To answer that, Richard says, we have to dig into history.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>Golf has been an important part of the Bay Area for a long time. And it’s one of the major golf areas in the country, and for that matter, in the world.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Golf traces its origins to Scotland — Richard explains.\u003cbr>\u003cbr>\u003cem>Scottish music plays\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\u003cbr>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>Originated in what they called the Links Land, which is the land between the cities and the coast, which was not much use for anything. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Richard says that in the 1890s and early 20th century, immigrants, including Scots, came here and brought golf with them. Among them was a man who had a huge impact on recreation in our region. The father of Golden Gate Park – John McLaren. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>John McLaren was a Scot. John McLaren liked golf. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>He first built Lincoln Park, a golf course by the Legion of Honor.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris:\u003c/strong> And then quickly, he found another Scot to design Harding Park…\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>… A legendary course near Lake Merced.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>And then another Scot to design Sharp Park…\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>… Just steps from the ocean in Pacifica.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>That Scot being Alistair McKenzie. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>McKenzie is most famous for having designed Augusta, in Georgia, where the Masters is played.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Those iconic early courses built in the Bay Area were — and still are — all public, not private, golf courses. And today they’re known as some of the most premium municipal courses in the nation.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In California, Richard said, publicly owned courses make up about a third of all courses statewide. And they’re at the forefront of welcoming new players into the sport and combating golf’s reputation for being overly white, male and exclusive.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Lily Achatz, president of the Harding Park Women’s Golf Club, knows that firsthand. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz:\u003c/strong> I didn’t grow up playing golf. I got into golf much later, about like six years ago. I don’t know how many sports there are that you can get into, you know, get into it so late. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>She says municipal golf courses, with their relatively cheap fees and open access, are critical to help lower barriers to the sport.\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>A private golf club could run you thousands of dollars in initiation fees, monthly dues and food and beverage minimums. A round at a public golf course, meanwhile, ranges from about $30 to $100, with discounts for residents. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz:\u003c/strong> What makes it so wonderful is that there’s all different generations here. There’s friends, all different backgrounds. The municipal courses are so important because it’s hard to get access to a country club or even be accepted.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>In fact, golf wasn’t even racially integrated until the 1950s. And Bay Area municipal courses had a role in that, too. Richard shows me a photo of a plaque that hangs at Pacifica’s Sharp Park course. At the time, the course was known for denying tee times to Black players. But in 1955, that changed when Sharp Park became the site of the inaugural championship tournament of the Western States Golf Association, one of the country’s oldest and largest African American golfing organizations.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris:\u003c/strong> It was swimming pools in the south. In San Francisco, it was golf courses. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Still, even today, municipal courses can feel exclusive. When Mary asked her question originally, she actually pointed out this bias she feels. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>If I’m walking through a city park and I pass by tennis courts, I don’t really blink an eye, or basketball courts. But it’s funny that to me, like a golf course strikes me differently, you know that I sort of wonder, oh, wait, why is this here? And who actually uses this? You know? \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> When we return, we explore who these golf courses are for. And get into the finances. Stay with us.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Music starts\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>KQED’s Outdoors reporter Sarah Wright is very familiar with the condemnation golf courses sometimes face.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Any type of golf course will inevitably draw criticism from those worried about its environmental impact. They are, after all, enormous, frequently watered, heavily manicured lawns. Many golf courses are\u003cem> \u003c/em>working to become more sustainable, but that could be its own story for another day.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>To keep things focused on Mary’s question, I spoke with Max Korten, acting general manager of the East Bay Regional Parks District.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He says the public has just as much a right to nice turf on a golf course as any other park amenity. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten: \u003c/strong>I think it’s one of the really cool things about some of our parks is like, in Tilden, there’s like the merry-go-round, the steam trains, the golf course, like some of these things that… You kind of feel like you’re visiting another era.\u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003cbr>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>East Bay Regional Parks has two golf courses, Tilden and Redwood Canyon, and Max says they take up just a combined 240 acres of the 120,000 the district manages. And the golf courses aren’t just for golfers. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten:\u003c/strong> The driving range is something that like anybody could do. I’ve taken my son there, my dad and step-mom, like who haven’t really ever played golf, and go just try to hit balls. And it’s really fun and fairly inexpensive. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Max explained that golf courses in East Bay parks are operated as concessions. So a private company, in this case, called Touchstone, operates the courses and then a percentage of their profits, around 10 percent, goes to the parks district. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>They can also be a major money maker for the parks. Last year, Max said, Tilden brought in over $800,000 in revenue — it’s the most profitable concession in the entire parks district. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the East Bay, fees are limited by the public parks district board to keep things affordable for the golfers themselves, Max said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten:\u003c/strong> Keeping these public courses around to provide low-cost ways for community members to access golf is really important because I think they’re sort of an equity opportunity to make sure that this sport is available to everyone. \u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Now, not every city can say public golf is a money maker. In San Francisco, for example, the city is subsidizing the courses’ expected $6 million deficit for the 2026-27 fiscal year, and the city has begun raising rates at some public courses to help close the gap.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So, to answer Mary’s question, there often is a symbiotic relationship between the parks departments and the courses – but not always. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>I went and told Mary what I found — about how the golf courses she was walking by during the pandemic — do help fund the park.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary: \u003c/strong>I’m glad to hear that they’re actually making money for East Bay Regional Parks. I feel like, you know, parks are always underfunded, you know, they’re always sort of like the first to be cut. So, to hear that they’re actually supporting the park, I think, is great.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>I admit — I was surprised to learn that too.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Yeah, it’s definitely sort of changed my mind and sort of given me more of a positive perspective on them than I had before.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>So much so that she was even willing to give it a try herself. Olivia and I asked Mary and Lily Achatz, from the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance, to join us at Corica Park in Alameda. It’s hot and sunny, and for a Thursday afternoon, the golf course is bustling.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>You guys brought the good weather. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Corica Park actually has several golf courses, and even a foot golf course where you can kick soccer balls into giant holes in the green. We convened at the smaller Par 3 course, which is a great option for kids, beginners or anyone looking for a lower-key experience — which was perfect for our group of just one expert and three complete amateurs.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> I have never played golf before ever in my life. Not even miniature golf, actually, neither one. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>So how do you predict this is going to go?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>I honestly don’t know, but I do see some water over here and I imagine one of my balls would go in there.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Well, as it turns out, Mary is an athlete – she grew up playing basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, rowing — you name it. So she got the hang of it quick.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Here, I’m just going to do a gentle putt.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Mary hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Nice, woohoo!\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>My first ever!\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Olivia and I, we did our best… \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Okay, it only took three swings to make contact.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> And you did it. And you were lined up perfectly. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>And, no surprise, Lily crushed us all. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Lily hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>That was incredible, I don’t even know where it went! \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>It sliced to the right.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>After around an hour, we called it quits. I asked Mary how she thought it went.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> It felt a little funny, but I think if I did it more, I would definitely get used to it, you know, and it would be something, like, I would be at home, right? You know before bed or something like that, practicing my swing, like, okay, you know.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> So, Olivia, what do you think? Is there more golfing in our future?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> I think I’m going to stick to podcasting, for now. But I don’t know, Mary seemed to be getting into it. Maybe we’ll have to check in with her in a year and see how things are coming along.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> I know that I’ll be practicing my swing. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>Sarah Wright, outdoors reporter for KQED. Thank you!\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> Thank you so much.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>Bay Curious is made in San Francisco at member-supported KQED. Our show is produced by Katrina Schwartz, Christopher Beale, Anna Casalme, and me, Olivia Allen-Price. We get extra support from Maha Sanad, Katie Sprenger, Jen Chien, Ethan Toven-Lindsey and everyone on team KQED.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Some members of the KQED podcast team are represented by the Screen Actors Guild American Federation of Television and Radio Artists San Francisco Northern California Local.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>I’m Olivia Allen-Price. Have a great week.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“There were deer and bunnies and geese and ducks and turkeys and all these animals that had just converged onto the golf course because nobody was using it,” she said. “That was really a beautiful thing to see.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But then, the restrictions started to let up, things started to reopen, and Mary would start to find dozens of golf balls on her walks. It made her wonder: Why are there so many golf courses in public parks around the Bay Area? Can and should she visit as a non-golfer? And what is their financial relationship to the park?\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>But then, the restrictions started to let up, things started to reopen, and Mary would start to find dozens of golf balls on her walks. It made her wonder: Why are there so many golf courses in public parks around the Bay Area? Can and should she visit as a non-golfer? And what is their financial relationship to the park?\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083077\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golfers practice at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I wasn’t sure how they worked, and if there was any sort of financial relationship, administrative relationship between the larger park and the golf course that sort of made them work together,” she said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>As it turns out, golf — and public golf, in particular — has a storied history in the Bay Area. And apart from a few conversions, mostly of private golf courses, these public greens are unlikely to be going anywhere soon.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#make-money\">How public courses do or don’t make money for local parks\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The sport of golf made its way to the Bay Area with the arrival of Scottish immigrants in the 1890s and early 20th century, explained Richard Harris, who advocates for accessible golf with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfpublicgolf.org/\">San Francisco Public Golf Alliance.\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The sport of golf made its way to the Bay Area with the arrival of Scottish immigrants in the 1890s and early 20th century, explained Richard Harris, who advocates for accessible golf with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfpublicgolf.org/\">San Francisco Public Golf Alliance.\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That included influential city leaders like John McLaren, the “father of Golden Gate Park,” who was a Scot. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083083\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Richard Harris, president of the SF Public Golf Alliance, poses for a portrait at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083083\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Richard Harris, president of the SF Public Golf Alliance, poses for a portrait at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>McLaren, Harris said, was influential in creating Lincoln Park and Harding Park in San Francisco, as well as \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfpublicgolf.org/index.php/save/alister-mackenzies-sharp-park\">Pacifica’s Sharp Park\u003c/a>, designed by famous golf architect Alister MacKenzie. These are all public, not private golf courses, and are considered to be world-class, he said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>McLaren, Harris said, was influential in creating Lincoln Park and Harding Park in San Francisco, as well as \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfpublicgolf.org/index.php/save/alister-mackenzies-sharp-park\">Pacifica’s Sharp Park\u003c/a>, designed by famous golf architect Alister MacKenzie. These are all public, not private golf courses, and are considered to be world-class, he said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Golf has been an important part of the Bay Area for a long time,” Harris said. “It’s one of the major golf areas in the country, and, for that matter, in the world.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"private\">What makes a public golf course different from a private one?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Public golf courses are those owned by local governments or parks districts. In the Bay Area, they tend to be inside or next to public parks you may know or frequent.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Municipal golf courses help lower barriers to the sport by being accessible and relatively cheap, said Lily Achatz, president of the Harding Park Women’s Golf Club and a member of the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Municipal golf courses help lower barriers to the sport by being accessible and relatively cheap, said Lily Achatz, president of the Harding Park Women’s Golf Club and a member of the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083084\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lily Achatz, president of Harding Park Women’s Golf Club, poses for a portrait at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083084\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lily Achatz, president of Harding Park Women’s Golf Club, poses for a portrait at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>A private golf club could run you thousands of dollars in initiation fees, monthly dues and food and beverage minimums. A round at a public golf course, meanwhile, ranges from $30 to $100, with discounts for residents. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>A private golf club could run you thousands of dollars in initiation fees, monthly dues and food and beverage minimums. A round at a public golf course, meanwhile, ranges from $30 to $100, with discounts for residents. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s stunning and what makes it so wonderful is that there’s all different generations here,” Achatz said. “The municipal courses are so important because it’s hard to get access to a country club or even be accepted.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“It’s stunning and what makes it so wonderful is that there’s all different generations here,” Achatz said. “The municipal courses are so important because it’s hard to get access to a country club or even be accepted.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "Do golf courses make money for public parks?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Depending on the city or parks district, public golf courses can be real money-makers. Max Korten, acting general manager of the East Bay Regional Parks District, said Tilden Golf Course made the district $800,000 last year. It was the most profitable concession in the entire parks district last year, \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/sites/default/files/fy26-adopted-operating-capital-projects-budgets-w-bookmarks.pdf\">according to district documents.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Depending on the city or parks district, public golf courses can be real money-makers. Max Korten, acting general manager of the East Bay Regional Parks District, said Tilden Golf Course made the district $800,000 last year. It was the most profitable concession in the entire parks district last year, \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/sites/default/files/fy26-adopted-operating-capital-projects-budgets-w-bookmarks.pdf\">according to district documents.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That’s not the case with every city or district. In San Francisco, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/sf-golfers-grumble-over-course-privatization-plan-20184922.php\">the city is subsidizing the courses’ expected $6 million deficit\u003c/a> and has \u003ca href=\"https://sfstandard.com/2025/07/22/sf-parks-fees/\">begun raising rates\u003c/a> at some public courses to help close the gap. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>That’s not the case with every city or district. In San Francisco, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/sf-golfers-grumble-over-course-privatization-plan-20184922.php\">the city is subsidizing the courses’ expected $6 million deficit\u003c/a> and has \u003ca href=\"https://sfstandard.com/2025/07/22/sf-parks-fees/\">begun raising rates\u003c/a> at some public courses to help close the gap. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In the East Bay, course fees are limited by a public board to keep fees low-cost for residents, Korten said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>In the East Bay, course fees are limited by a public board to keep fees low-cost for residents, Korten said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "Have there been any talks of converting golf courses to other uses?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There’s no widespread movement to convert golf courses in the Bay Area into other uses. But there are two notable examples of private golf courses undergoing their own transformations. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The most controversial right now is Pleasant Hills in San José. It’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074738/housing-advocates-call-this-big-plot-of-san-jose-land-the-most-important-in-a-century\">a former private 115-acre golf course\u003c/a> that may become 2,000 new homes with some commercial and open space. It’s currently in environmental review as the community goes back and forth on what to do with it. What to do has become a fight, said Manira Sandhir, deputy director of planning for the city of San José. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The most controversial right now is Pleasant Hills in San José. It’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074738/housing-advocates-call-this-big-plot-of-san-jose-land-the-most-important-in-a-century\">a former private 115-acre golf course\u003c/a> that may become 2,000 new homes with some commercial and open space. It’s currently in environmental review as the community goes back and forth on what to do with it. What to do has become a fight, said Manira Sandhir, deputy director of planning for the city of San José. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“On one hand we have the community who’s directly affected by this project and has expressed concerns about the traffic that it would generate,” she said. It’s located in a highly car-dependent area, and there’s not a lot of transit or freeway access there either. “But then on the other hand, we have housing advocates who want to see more housing at the site, and they feel that putting 2,000 units at the site would be underutilization of this really large acreage that’s available for development.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“On one hand we have the community who’s directly affected by this project and has expressed concerns about the traffic that it would generate,” she said. It’s located in a highly car-dependent area, and there’s not a lot of transit or freeway access there either. “But then on the other hand, we have housing advocates who want to see more housing at the site, and they feel that putting 2,000 units at the site would be underutilization of this really large acreage that’s available for development.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The course, Sandhir said, was established in the 1960s but closed in 2004, likely for financial reasons — so not explicitly for this conversion. Sandhir said it’s likely to be years before the dust settles and a coherent plan for the site emerges.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The course, Sandhir said, was established in the 1960s but closed in 2004, likely for financial reasons — so not explicitly for this conversion. Sandhir said it’s likely to be years before the dust settles and a coherent plan for the site emerges.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Farther to the north, in Marin County’s San Geronimo Valley, another golf course has seen the end of its days. The Trust for Public Land, a land conservation organization, converted what was once a private 18-hole golf course into \u003ca href=\"https://www.tpl.org/our-work/san-geronimo-commons\">San Geronimo Commons\u003c/a>, a public park that fills a missing connection to surrounding open spaces, restores water rights to the Larson Creek and returns the land to its former function as a wetland. A county firehouse has even taken over the old golf clubhouse.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Farther to the north, in Marin County’s San Geronimo Valley, another golf course has seen the end of its days. The Trust for Public Land, a land conservation organization, converted what was once a private 18-hole golf course into \u003ca href=\"https://www.tpl.org/our-work/san-geronimo-commons\">San Geronimo Commons\u003c/a>, a public park that fills a missing connection to surrounding open spaces, restores water rights to the Larson Creek and returns the land to its former function as a wetland. A county firehouse has even taken over the old golf clubhouse.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I do think cities, park systems across the country, certainly in California, are rethinking their inventory and what can happen,” he said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“I do think cities, park systems across the country, certainly in California, are rethinking their inventory and what can happen,” he said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The car paths became walking paths, the sand traps became sandboxes for the kids,” said Guillermo Rodriguez, Trust for Public Land’s California director. He said this is one of four golf course conversions they have helped lead in the state, part of what he sees as a growing trend in California.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“The car paths became walking paths, the sand traps became sandboxes for the kids,” said Guillermo Rodriguez, Trust for Public Land’s California director. He said this is one of four golf course conversions they have helped lead in the state, part of what he sees as a growing trend in California.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The San Geronimo conversion wasn’t without its own controversy. After purchasing the property in 2018, Trust for Public Land launched a two-year process to narrow down what the community wanted from the property – and not everyone agreed.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The San Geronimo conversion wasn’t without its own controversy. After purchasing the property in 2018, Trust for Public Land launched a two-year process to narrow down what the community wanted from the property – and not everyone agreed.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We had a lot of passionate golfers who had lots of memories tied to that facility,” he said. “And while, yes, there were other facilities they could go play golf in, they had history there, and so we had to work through that.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“We had a lot of passionate golfers who had lots of memories tied to that facility,” he said. “And while, yes, there were other facilities they could go play golf in, they had history there, and so we had to work through that.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Senior manager on the project Erica Williams said in some ways, the COVID-19 pandemic set the stage for the transition of the property — opening people’s imaginations to how their community spaces could look. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Senior manager on the project Erica Williams said in some ways, the COVID-19 pandemic set the stage for the transition of the property — opening people’s imaginations to how their community spaces could look. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“With the pandemic, I think that really allowed people to connect with the landscape, to reconnect with the land and to imagine a future,” she said. “It became a sanctuary.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“With the pandemic, I think that really allowed people to connect with the landscape, to reconnect with the land and to imagine a future,” she said. “It became a sanctuary.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"attrs": {
"text": "Can I visit a golf course as a non-golfer?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"visit-a-golf-course\">Can I visit a golf course as a non-golfer?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Municipal golf courses are open to everyone, whether you want to reserve a tee time to try your hand at playing, practice your swing at the driving range, or just hang out at the cafes and restaurants onsite. Unlike private courses, there is no dress code at public golf courses. Dogs are not allowed.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Municipal golf courses are open to everyone, whether you want to reserve a tee time to try your hand at playing, practice your swing at the driving range, or just hang out at the cafes and restaurants onsite. Unlike private courses, there is no dress code at public golf courses. Dogs are not allowed.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>While walking along the course if you’re not playing generally isn’t allowed (getting hit by a ball is a real risk), many courses like Tilden have walking trails nearby that are open to anyone. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>While walking along the course if you’re not playing generally isn’t allowed (getting hit by a ball is a real risk), many courses like Tilden have walking trails nearby that are open to anyone. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you want to play a round of golf, you should plan to book a tee time in advance. Public courses also offer golf club rentals if you don’t have any of your own.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>If you want to play a round of golf, you should plan to book a tee time in advance. Public courses also offer golf club rentals if you don’t have any of your own.\u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "Episode transcript",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> It’s the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, and everything is shut down – even the gym. So Bay Curious listener Mary Newsom decided to go for a walk. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> It’s the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, and everything is shut down – even the gym. So Bay Curious listener Mary Newsom decided to go for a walk. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Music starts\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Music starts\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> I live in Oakland. And so I would usually sort of go up to the ridgeline and start hiking and all the regional parks that are up on the ridgeline.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> I live in Oakland. And so I would usually sort of go up to the ridgeline and start hiking and all the regional parks that are up on the ridgeline.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Eventually, Mary made her way up to Anthony Chabot Regional Park. Given the pandemic, there was no one around.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Eventually, Mary made her way up to Anthony Chabot Regional Park. Given the pandemic, there was no one around.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>And so one of the golf courses that’s right alongside Chabot was completely empty. There were, like, deer and bunnies and geese and ducks and turkeys and like all these animals. That it just converged onto the golf course because nobody was using it.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>And so one of the golf courses that’s right alongside Chabot was completely empty. There were, like, deer and bunnies and geese and ducks and turkeys and like all these animals. That it just converged onto the golf course because nobody was using it.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> But then, the restrictions started to let up, and things started to reopen, and Mary would start to find dozens of golf balls on her walks.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> But then, the restrictions started to let up, and things started to reopen, and Mary would start to find dozens of golf balls on her walks.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>It sort of made me wonder about the relationship between the park and the golf course that’s right up against it.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>It sort of made me wonder about the relationship between the park and the golf course that’s right up against it.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Mary looked into what other municipal golf courses are located inside public parks, and the list is really quite long…\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Mary looked into what other municipal golf courses are located inside public parks, and the list is really quite long…\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Golden Gate Park, Presidio, Lincoln Park, Gleneagles, Tilden Park, Lake Chabot, Redwood Canyon, Sequoia…\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Golden Gate Park, Presidio, Lincoln Park, Gleneagles, Tilden Park, Lake Chabot, Redwood Canyon, Sequoia…\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>And that’s just a partial list. This all got Mary wondering about the relationship between public parks and the golf courses within them.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>And that’s just a partial list. This all got Mary wondering about the relationship between public parks and the golf courses within them.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Why are there so many golf courses in the Bay Area right next to, or inside public parks? Do they subsidize the parks? \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Why are there so many golf courses in the Bay Area right next to, or inside public parks? Do they subsidize the parks? \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>We sent KQED’s outdoors reporter, Sarah Wright, to take a swing at finding some answers. She started, as you might expect, at Hole 1.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>We sent KQED’s outdoors reporter, Sarah Wright, to take a swing at finding some answers. She started, as you might expect, at Hole 1.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Birds chirping, golf balls getting whacked\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Birds chirping, golf balls getting whacked\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> The Golden Gate Park Golf Course is set up on a hill, right by San Francisco’s Ocean Beach. The breeze is strong, and a hawk has been circling overhead as a new set of golfers sets up at the first hole every 15 minutes. Here, I run into Lizzie Yurchak. She lives in the Pacific Heights neighborhood, and she came out to play the course today with a coworker who is from out of town.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> The Golden Gate Park Golf Course is set up on a hill, right by San Francisco’s Ocean Beach. The breeze is strong, and a hawk has been circling overhead as a new set of golfers sets up at the first hole every 15 minutes. Here, I run into Lizzie Yurchak. She lives in the Pacific Heights neighborhood, and she came out to play the course today with a coworker who is from out of town.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak: \u003c/strong>He lives in Texas, so we were like, what’s something fun we can do while he’s visiting the Bay.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak: \u003c/strong>He lives in Texas, so we were like, what’s something fun we can do while he’s visiting the Bay.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> It’s her first time out to this course — actually, her first time golfing in the Bay Area since she moved here from Philadelphia.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> It’s her first time out to this course — actually, her first time golfing in the Bay Area since she moved here from Philadelphia.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak:\u003c/strong> I don’t have my clubs out here, so maybe I’ll feel inspired today. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak:\u003c/strong> I don’t have my clubs out here, so maybe I’ll feel inspired today. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>And what are your goals for today on the golf course?\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak: \u003c/strong>Um, don’t shank it. And don’t lose foul balls. I think that’s about it. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak: \u003c/strong>Um, don’t shank it. And don’t lose foul balls. I think that’s about it. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>She does not, in fact, shank it. I watch as she lines up for a stroke.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>She does not, in fact, shank it. I watch as she lines up for a stroke.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Lizzie hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Lizzie hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man:\u003c/strong> There we go!\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man:\u003c/strong> There we go!\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Besides meeting golfers like Lizzie, I’m actually here to meet Richard Harris and Lily Achatz. They’re with the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance, which advocates for affordable golf in the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Besides meeting golfers like Lizzie, I’m actually here to meet Richard Harris and Lily Achatz. They’re with the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance, which advocates for affordable golf in the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>Hi, Sarah.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>Hi, Sarah.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> Lily, great to meet you. Thanks for having me.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>Of course!\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> I am here to ask them Mary’s question. Why are there so many golf courses in public parks in the Bay Area?\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> I am here to ask them Mary’s question. Why are there so many golf courses in public parks in the Bay Area?\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>To answer that, Richard says, we have to dig into history.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>Golf has been an important part of the Bay Area for a long time. And it’s one of the major golf areas in the country, and for that matter, in the world.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>Golf has been an important part of the Bay Area for a long time. And it’s one of the major golf areas in the country, and for that matter, in the world.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Golf traces its origins to Scotland — Richard explains.\u003cbr>\u003cbr>\u003cem>Scottish music plays\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\u003cbr>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>Originated in what they called the Links Land, which is the land between the cities and the coast, which was not much use for anything. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Richard says that in the 1890s and early 20th century, immigrants, including Scots, came here and brought golf with them. Among them was a man who had a huge impact on recreation in our region. The father of Golden Gate Park – John McLaren. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Richard says that in the 1890s and early 20th century, immigrants, including Scots, came here and brought golf with them. Among them was a man who had a huge impact on recreation in our region. The father of Golden Gate Park – John McLaren. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>John McLaren was a Scot. John McLaren liked golf. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>He first built Lincoln Park, a golf course by the Legion of Honor.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>He first built Lincoln Park, a golf course by the Legion of Honor.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris:\u003c/strong> And then quickly, he found another Scot to design Harding Park…\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris:\u003c/strong> And then quickly, he found another Scot to design Harding Park…\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>… A legendary course near Lake Merced.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>… A legendary course near Lake Merced.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>And then another Scot to design Sharp Park…\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>… Just steps from the ocean in Pacifica.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>… Just steps from the ocean in Pacifica.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>That Scot being Alistair McKenzie. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>That Scot being Alistair McKenzie. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>McKenzie is most famous for having designed Augusta, in Georgia, where the Masters is played.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>McKenzie is most famous for having designed Augusta, in Georgia, where the Masters is played.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Those iconic early courses built in the Bay Area were — and still are — all public, not private, golf courses. And today they’re known as some of the most premium municipal courses in the nation.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Those iconic early courses built in the Bay Area were — and still are — all public, not private, golf courses. And today they’re known as some of the most premium municipal courses in the nation.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In California, Richard said, publicly owned courses make up about a third of all courses statewide. And they’re at the forefront of welcoming new players into the sport and combating golf’s reputation for being overly white, male and exclusive.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>In California, Richard said, publicly owned courses make up about a third of all courses statewide. And they’re at the forefront of welcoming new players into the sport and combating golf’s reputation for being overly white, male and exclusive.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Lily Achatz, president of the Harding Park Women’s Golf Club, knows that firsthand. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz:\u003c/strong> I didn’t grow up playing golf. I got into golf much later, about like six years ago. I don’t know how many sports there are that you can get into, you know, get into it so late. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz:\u003c/strong> I didn’t grow up playing golf. I got into golf much later, about like six years ago. I don’t know how many sports there are that you can get into, you know, get into it so late. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>She says municipal golf courses, with their relatively cheap fees and open access, are critical to help lower barriers to the sport.\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>A private golf club could run you thousands of dollars in initiation fees, monthly dues and food and beverage minimums. A round at a public golf course, meanwhile, ranges from about $30 to $100, with discounts for residents. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>She says municipal golf courses, with their relatively cheap fees and open access, are critical to help lower barriers to the sport.\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>A private golf club could run you thousands of dollars in initiation fees, monthly dues and food and beverage minimums. A round at a public golf course, meanwhile, ranges from about $30 to $100, with discounts for residents. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz:\u003c/strong> What makes it so wonderful is that there’s all different generations here. There’s friends, all different backgrounds. The municipal courses are so important because it’s hard to get access to a country club or even be accepted.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz:\u003c/strong> What makes it so wonderful is that there’s all different generations here. There’s friends, all different backgrounds. The municipal courses are so important because it’s hard to get access to a country club or even be accepted.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>In fact, golf wasn’t even racially integrated until the 1950s. And Bay Area municipal courses had a role in that, too. Richard shows me a photo of a plaque that hangs at Pacifica’s Sharp Park course. At the time, the course was known for denying tee times to Black players. But in 1955, that changed when Sharp Park became the site of the inaugural championship tournament of the Western States Golf Association, one of the country’s oldest and largest African American golfing organizations.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>In fact, golf wasn’t even racially integrated until the 1950s. And Bay Area municipal courses had a role in that, too. Richard shows me a photo of a plaque that hangs at Pacifica’s Sharp Park course. At the time, the course was known for denying tee times to Black players. But in 1955, that changed when Sharp Park became the site of the inaugural championship tournament of the Western States Golf Association, one of the country’s oldest and largest African American golfing organizations.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris:\u003c/strong> It was swimming pools in the south. In San Francisco, it was golf courses. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris:\u003c/strong> It was swimming pools in the south. In San Francisco, it was golf courses. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Still, even today, municipal courses can feel exclusive. When Mary asked her question originally, she actually pointed out this bias she feels. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Still, even today, municipal courses can feel exclusive. When Mary asked her question originally, she actually pointed out this bias she feels. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>If I’m walking through a city park and I pass by tennis courts, I don’t really blink an eye, or basketball courts. But it’s funny that to me, like a golf course strikes me differently, you know that I sort of wonder, oh, wait, why is this here? And who actually uses this? You know? \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>If I’m walking through a city park and I pass by tennis courts, I don’t really blink an eye, or basketball courts. But it’s funny that to me, like a golf course strikes me differently, you know that I sort of wonder, oh, wait, why is this here? And who actually uses this? You know? \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> When we return, we explore who these golf courses are for. And get into the finances. Stay with us.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> When we return, we explore who these golf courses are for. And get into the finances. Stay with us.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Music starts\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Music starts\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>KQED’s Outdoors reporter Sarah Wright is very familiar with the condemnation golf courses sometimes face.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Any type of golf course will inevitably draw criticism from those worried about its environmental impact. They are, after all, enormous, frequently watered, heavily manicured lawns. Many golf courses are\u003cem> \u003c/em>working to become more sustainable, but that could be its own story for another day.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Any type of golf course will inevitably draw criticism from those worried about its environmental impact. They are, after all, enormous, frequently watered, heavily manicured lawns. Many golf courses are\u003cem> \u003c/em>working to become more sustainable, but that could be its own story for another day.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>To keep things focused on Mary’s question, I spoke with Max Korten, acting general manager of the East Bay Regional Parks District.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>To keep things focused on Mary’s question, I spoke with Max Korten, acting general manager of the East Bay Regional Parks District.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>He says the public has just as much a right to nice turf on a golf course as any other park amenity. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>He says the public has just as much a right to nice turf on a golf course as any other park amenity. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten: \u003c/strong>I think it’s one of the really cool things about some of our parks is like, in Tilden, there’s like the merry-go-round, the steam trains, the golf course, like some of these things that… You kind of feel like you’re visiting another era.\u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003cbr>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>East Bay Regional Parks has two golf courses, Tilden and Redwood Canyon, and Max says they take up just a combined 240 acres of the 120,000 the district manages. And the golf courses aren’t just for golfers. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten: \u003c/strong>I think it’s one of the really cool things about some of our parks is like, in Tilden, there’s like the merry-go-round, the steam trains, the golf course, like some of these things that… You kind of feel like you’re visiting another era.\u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003cbr>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>East Bay Regional Parks has two golf courses, Tilden and Redwood Canyon, and Max says they take up just a combined 240 acres of the 120,000 the district manages. And the golf courses aren’t just for golfers. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten:\u003c/strong> The driving range is something that like anybody could do. I’ve taken my son there, my dad and step-mom, like who haven’t really ever played golf, and go just try to hit balls. And it’s really fun and fairly inexpensive. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten:\u003c/strong> The driving range is something that like anybody could do. I’ve taken my son there, my dad and step-mom, like who haven’t really ever played golf, and go just try to hit balls. And it’s really fun and fairly inexpensive. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Max explained that golf courses in East Bay parks are operated as concessions. So a private company, in this case, called Touchstone, operates the courses and then a percentage of their profits, around 10 percent, goes to the parks district. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Max explained that golf courses in East Bay parks are operated as concessions. So a private company, in this case, called Touchstone, operates the courses and then a percentage of their profits, around 10 percent, goes to the parks district. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>They can also be a major money maker for the parks. Last year, Max said, Tilden brought in over $800,000 in revenue — it’s the most profitable concession in the entire parks district. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>They can also be a major money maker for the parks. Last year, Max said, Tilden brought in over $800,000 in revenue — it’s the most profitable concession in the entire parks district. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In the East Bay, fees are limited by the public parks district board to keep things affordable for the golfers themselves, Max said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>In the East Bay, fees are limited by the public parks district board to keep things affordable for the golfers themselves, Max said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten:\u003c/strong> Keeping these public courses around to provide low-cost ways for community members to access golf is really important because I think they’re sort of an equity opportunity to make sure that this sport is available to everyone. \u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Now, not every city can say public golf is a money maker. In San Francisco, for example, the city is subsidizing the courses’ expected $6 million deficit for the 2026-27 fiscal year, and the city has begun raising rates at some public courses to help close the gap.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten:\u003c/strong> Keeping these public courses around to provide low-cost ways for community members to access golf is really important because I think they’re sort of an equity opportunity to make sure that this sport is available to everyone. \u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Now, not every city can say public golf is a money maker. In San Francisco, for example, the city is subsidizing the courses’ expected $6 million deficit for the 2026-27 fiscal year, and the city has begun raising rates at some public courses to help close the gap.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>So, to answer Mary’s question, there often is a symbiotic relationship between the parks departments and the courses – but not always. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>So, to answer Mary’s question, there often is a symbiotic relationship between the parks departments and the courses – but not always. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>I went and told Mary what I found — about how the golf courses she was walking by during the pandemic — do help fund the park.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>I went and told Mary what I found — about how the golf courses she was walking by during the pandemic — do help fund the park.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary: \u003c/strong>I’m glad to hear that they’re actually making money for East Bay Regional Parks. I feel like, you know, parks are always underfunded, you know, they’re always sort of like the first to be cut. So, to hear that they’re actually supporting the park, I think, is great.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary: \u003c/strong>I’m glad to hear that they’re actually making money for East Bay Regional Parks. I feel like, you know, parks are always underfunded, you know, they’re always sort of like the first to be cut. So, to hear that they’re actually supporting the park, I think, is great.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>I admit — I was surprised to learn that too.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>I admit — I was surprised to learn that too.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Yeah, it’s definitely sort of changed my mind and sort of given me more of a positive perspective on them than I had before.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Yeah, it’s definitely sort of changed my mind and sort of given me more of a positive perspective on them than I had before.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>So much so that she was even willing to give it a try herself. Olivia and I asked Mary and Lily Achatz, from the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance, to join us at Corica Park in Alameda. It’s hot and sunny, and for a Thursday afternoon, the golf course is bustling.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>So much so that she was even willing to give it a try herself. Olivia and I asked Mary and Lily Achatz, from the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance, to join us at Corica Park in Alameda. It’s hot and sunny, and for a Thursday afternoon, the golf course is bustling.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>You guys brought the good weather. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>You guys brought the good weather. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Corica Park actually has several golf courses, and even a foot golf course where you can kick soccer balls into giant holes in the green. We convened at the smaller Par 3 course, which is a great option for kids, beginners or anyone looking for a lower-key experience — which was perfect for our group of just one expert and three complete amateurs.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Corica Park actually has several golf courses, and even a foot golf course where you can kick soccer balls into giant holes in the green. We convened at the smaller Par 3 course, which is a great option for kids, beginners or anyone looking for a lower-key experience — which was perfect for our group of just one expert and three complete amateurs.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> I have never played golf before ever in my life. Not even miniature golf, actually, neither one. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> I have never played golf before ever in my life. Not even miniature golf, actually, neither one. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>So how do you predict this is going to go?\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>So how do you predict this is going to go?\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>I honestly don’t know, but I do see some water over here and I imagine one of my balls would go in there.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>I honestly don’t know, but I do see some water over here and I imagine one of my balls would go in there.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Well, as it turns out, Mary is an athlete – she grew up playing basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, rowing — you name it. So she got the hang of it quick.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Well, as it turns out, Mary is an athlete – she grew up playing basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, rowing — you name it. So she got the hang of it quick.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Here, I’m just going to do a gentle putt.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Here, I’m just going to do a gentle putt.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Mary hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Mary hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Nice, woohoo!\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Nice, woohoo!\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>My first ever!\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>My first ever!\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Olivia and I, we did our best… \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Olivia and I, we did our best… \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Okay, it only took three swings to make contact.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Okay, it only took three swings to make contact.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> And you did it. And you were lined up perfectly. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> And you did it. And you were lined up perfectly. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>And, no surprise, Lily crushed us all. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>And, no surprise, Lily crushed us all. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Lily hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Lily hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>That was incredible, I don’t even know where it went! \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>It sliced to the right.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>After around an hour, we called it quits. I asked Mary how she thought it went.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> It felt a little funny, but I think if I did it more, I would definitely get used to it, you know, and it would be something, like, I would be at home, right? You know before bed or something like that, practicing my swing, like, okay, you know.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> It felt a little funny, but I think if I did it more, I would definitely get used to it, you know, and it would be something, like, I would be at home, right? You know before bed or something like that, practicing my swing, like, okay, you know.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> So, Olivia, what do you think? Is there more golfing in our future?\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> So, Olivia, what do you think? Is there more golfing in our future?\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> I think I’m going to stick to podcasting, for now. But I don’t know, Mary seemed to be getting into it. Maybe we’ll have to check in with her in a year and see how things are coming along.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> I think I’m going to stick to podcasting, for now. But I don’t know, Mary seemed to be getting into it. Maybe we’ll have to check in with her in a year and see how things are coming along.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> I know that I’ll be practicing my swing. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>Sarah Wright, outdoors reporter for KQED. Thank you!\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>Sarah Wright, outdoors reporter for KQED. Thank you!\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> Thank you so much.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> Thank you so much.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>Bay Curious is made in San Francisco at member-supported KQED. Our show is produced by Katrina Schwartz, Christopher Beale, Anna Casalme, and me, Olivia Allen-Price. We get extra support from Maha Sanad, Katie Sprenger, Jen Chien, Ethan Toven-Lindsey and everyone on team KQED.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>Bay Curious is made in San Francisco at member-supported KQED. Our show is produced by Katrina Schwartz, Christopher Beale, Anna Casalme, and me, Olivia Allen-Price. We get extra support from Maha Sanad, Katie Sprenger, Jen Chien, Ethan Toven-Lindsey and everyone on team KQED.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Some members of the KQED podcast team are represented by the Screen Actors Guild American Federation of Television and Radio Artists San Francisco Northern California Local.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>I’m Olivia Allen-Price. Have a great week.\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "Public golf’s storied Bay Area history and why its picturesque courses endure today.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>\u003ca href=\"#episode-transcript\">View the full episode transcript.\u003c/a>\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Oakland resident Mary Newson would hike regularly in the parks up in the Oakland and Berkeley hills. It was a pleasant way to get outside, and there was no one around — even on a usually busy golf course near \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/parks/anthony-chabot\">Anthony Chabot Regional Park.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There were deer and bunnies and geese and ducks and turkeys and all these animals that had just converged onto the golf course because nobody was using it,” she said. “That was really a beautiful thing to see.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But then, the restrictions started to let up, things started to reopen, and Mary would start to find dozens of golf balls on her walks. It made her wonder: Why are there so many golf courses in public parks around the Bay Area? Can and should she visit as a non-golfer? And what is their financial relationship to the park?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083077\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golfers practice at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>“I wasn’t sure how they worked, and if there was any sort of financial relationship, administrative relationship between the larger park and the golf course that sort of made them work together,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As it turns out, golf — and public golf, in particular — has a storied history in the Bay Area. And apart from a few conversions, mostly of private golf courses, these public greens are unlikely to be going anywhere soon.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Jump straight to:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#private\">The difference between public and private golf courses\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#make-money\">How public courses do or don’t make money for local parks\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#converting-golf-courses\">Golf course conversions underway in the Bay Area\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#visit-a-golf-course\">What to know if you’re visiting a public golf course for the first time\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the history of golf courses in the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The sport of golf made its way to the Bay Area with the arrival of Scottish immigrants in the 1890s and early 20th century, explained Richard Harris, who advocates for accessible golf with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfpublicgolf.org/\">San Francisco Public Golf Alliance.\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That included influential city leaders like John McLaren, the “father of Golden Gate Park,” who was a Scot. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083083\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Richard Harris, president of the SF Public Golf Alliance, poses for a portrait at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>McLaren, Harris said, was influential in creating Lincoln Park and Harding Park in San Francisco, as well as \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfpublicgolf.org/index.php/save/alister-mackenzies-sharp-park\">Pacifica’s Sharp Park\u003c/a>, designed by famous golf architect Alister MacKenzie. These are all public, not private golf courses, and are considered to be world-class, he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Golf has been an important part of the Bay Area for a long time,” Harris said. “It’s one of the major golf areas in the country, and, for that matter, in the world.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"private\">What makes a public golf course different from a private one?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Public golf courses are those owned by local governments or parks districts. In the Bay Area, they tend to be inside or next to public parks you may know or frequent.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Municipal golf courses help lower barriers to the sport by being accessible and relatively cheap, said Lily Achatz, president of the Harding Park Women’s Golf Club and a member of the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083084\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lily Achatz, president of Harding Park Women’s Golf Club, poses for a portrait at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>A private golf club could run you thousands of dollars in initiation fees, monthly dues and food and beverage minimums. A round at a public golf course, meanwhile, ranges from $30 to $100, with discounts for residents. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s stunning and what makes it so wonderful is that there’s all different generations here,” Achatz said. “The municipal courses are so important because it’s hard to get access to a country club or even be accepted.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"make-money\">Do golf courses make money for public parks?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Depending on the city or parks district, public golf courses can be real money-makers. Max Korten, acting general manager of the East Bay Regional Parks District, said Tilden Golf Course made the district $800,000 last year. It was the most profitable concession in the entire parks district last year, \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/sites/default/files/fy26-adopted-operating-capital-projects-budgets-w-bookmarks.pdf\">according to district documents.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That’s not the case with every city or district. In San Francisco, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/sf-golfers-grumble-over-course-privatization-plan-20184922.php\">the city is subsidizing the courses’ expected $6 million deficit\u003c/a> and has \u003ca href=\"https://sfstandard.com/2025/07/22/sf-parks-fees/\">begun raising rates\u003c/a> at some public courses to help close the gap. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the East Bay, course fees are limited by a public board to keep fees low-cost for residents, Korten said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"converting-golf-courses\">Have there been any talks of converting golf courses to other uses?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There’s no widespread movement to convert golf courses in the Bay Area into other uses. But there are two notable examples of private golf courses undergoing their own transformations. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The most controversial right now is Pleasant Hills in San José. It’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074738/housing-advocates-call-this-big-plot-of-san-jose-land-the-most-important-in-a-century\">a former private 115-acre golf course\u003c/a> that may become 2,000 new homes with some commercial and open space. It’s currently in environmental review as the community goes back and forth on what to do with it. What to do has become a fight, said Manira Sandhir, deputy director of planning for the city of San José. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083080\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12083082\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04043-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083082\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04043-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04043-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04043-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golfers play a game at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12083078\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03155-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083078\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03155-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03155-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03155-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golf balls line the ground at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“On one hand we have the community who’s directly affected by this project and has expressed concerns about the traffic that it would generate,” she said. It’s located in a highly car-dependent area, and there’s not a lot of transit or freeway access there either. “But then on the other hand, we have housing advocates who want to see more housing at the site, and they feel that putting 2,000 units at the site would be underutilization of this really large acreage that’s available for development.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The course, Sandhir said, was established in the 1960s but closed in 2004, likely for financial reasons — so not explicitly for this conversion. Sandhir said it’s likely to be years before the dust settles and a coherent plan for the site emerges.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Farther to the north, in Marin County’s San Geronimo Valley, another golf course has seen the end of its days. The Trust for Public Land, a land conservation organization, converted what was once a private 18-hole golf course into \u003ca href=\"https://www.tpl.org/our-work/san-geronimo-commons\">San Geronimo Commons\u003c/a>, a public park that fills a missing connection to surrounding open spaces, restores water rights to the Larson Creek and returns the land to its former function as a wetland. A county firehouse has even taken over the old golf clubhouse.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I do think cities, park systems across the country, certainly in California, are rethinking their inventory and what can happen,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The car paths became walking paths, the sand traps became sandboxes for the kids,” said Guillermo Rodriguez, Trust for Public Land’s California director. He said this is one of four golf course conversions they have helped lead in the state, part of what he sees as a growing trend in California.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The San Geronimo conversion wasn’t without its own controversy. After purchasing the property in 2018, Trust for Public Land launched a two-year process to narrow down what the community wanted from the property – and not everyone agreed.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We had a lot of passionate golfers who had lots of memories tied to that facility,” he said. “And while, yes, there were other facilities they could go play golf in, they had history there, and so we had to work through that.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Senior manager on the project Erica Williams said in some ways, the COVID-19 pandemic set the stage for the transition of the property — opening people’s imaginations to how their community spaces could look. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“With the pandemic, I think that really allowed people to connect with the landscape, to reconnect with the land and to imagine a future,” she said. “It became a sanctuary.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"visit-a-golf-course\">Can I visit a golf course as a non-golfer?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Municipal golf courses are open to everyone, whether you want to reserve a tee time to try your hand at playing, practice your swing at the driving range, or just hang out at the cafes and restaurants onsite. Unlike private courses, there is no dress code at public golf courses. Dogs are not allowed.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While walking along the course if you’re not playing generally isn’t allowed (getting hit by a ball is a real risk), many courses like Tilden have walking trails nearby that are open to anyone. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you want to play a round of golf, you should plan to book a tee time in advance. Public courses also offer golf club rentals if you don’t have any of your own.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-content post-body\">\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"episode-transcript\">Episode transcript\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> It’s the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, and everything is shut down – even the gym. So Bay Curious listener Mary Newsom decided to go for a walk. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Music starts\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> I live in Oakland. And so I would usually sort of go up to the ridgeline and start hiking and all the regional parks that are up on the ridgeline.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Eventually, Mary made her way up to Anthony Chabot Regional Park. Given the pandemic, there was no one around.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>And so one of the golf courses that’s right alongside Chabot was completely empty. There were, like, deer and bunnies and geese and ducks and turkeys and like all these animals. That it just converged onto the golf course because nobody was using it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> But then, the restrictions started to let up, and things started to reopen, and Mary would start to find dozens of golf balls on her walks.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>It sort of made me wonder about the relationship between the park and the golf course that’s right up against it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Mary looked into what other municipal golf courses are located inside public parks, and the list is really quite long…\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Golden Gate Park, Presidio, Lincoln Park, Gleneagles, Tilden Park, Lake Chabot, Redwood Canyon, Sequoia…\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>And that’s just a partial list. This all got Mary wondering about the relationship between public parks and the golf courses within them.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Why are there so many golf courses in the Bay Area right next to, or inside public parks? Do they subsidize the parks? \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>We sent KQED’s outdoors reporter, Sarah Wright, to take a swing at finding some answers. She started, as you might expect, at Hole 1.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Birds chirping, golf balls getting whacked\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> The Golden Gate Park Golf Course is set up on a hill, right by San Francisco’s Ocean Beach. The breeze is strong, and a hawk has been circling overhead as a new set of golfers sets up at the first hole every 15 minutes. Here, I run into Lizzie Yurchak. She lives in the Pacific Heights neighborhood, and she came out to play the course today with a coworker who is from out of town.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak: \u003c/strong>He lives in Texas, so we were like, what’s something fun we can do while he’s visiting the Bay.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> It’s her first time out to this course — actually, her first time golfing in the Bay Area since she moved here from Philadelphia.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak:\u003c/strong> I don’t have my clubs out here, so maybe I’ll feel inspired today. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>And what are your goals for today on the golf course?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak: \u003c/strong>Um, don’t shank it. And don’t lose foul balls. I think that’s about it. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>She does not, in fact, shank it. I watch as she lines up for a stroke.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Lizzie hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man:\u003c/strong> There we go!\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Besides meeting golfers like Lizzie, I’m actually here to meet Richard Harris and Lily Achatz. They’re with the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance, which advocates for affordable golf in the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>Hi, Sarah.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> Lily, great to meet you. Thanks for having me.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>Of course!\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> I am here to ask them Mary’s question. Why are there so many golf courses in public parks in the Bay Area?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>To answer that, Richard says, we have to dig into history.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>Golf has been an important part of the Bay Area for a long time. And it’s one of the major golf areas in the country, and for that matter, in the world.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Golf traces its origins to Scotland — Richard explains.\u003cbr>\u003cbr>\u003cem>Scottish music plays\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\u003cbr>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>Originated in what they called the Links Land, which is the land between the cities and the coast, which was not much use for anything. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Richard says that in the 1890s and early 20th century, immigrants, including Scots, came here and brought golf with them. Among them was a man who had a huge impact on recreation in our region. The father of Golden Gate Park – John McLaren. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>John McLaren was a Scot. John McLaren liked golf. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>He first built Lincoln Park, a golf course by the Legion of Honor.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris:\u003c/strong> And then quickly, he found another Scot to design Harding Park…\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>… A legendary course near Lake Merced.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>And then another Scot to design Sharp Park…\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>… Just steps from the ocean in Pacifica.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>That Scot being Alistair McKenzie. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>McKenzie is most famous for having designed Augusta, in Georgia, where the Masters is played.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Those iconic early courses built in the Bay Area were — and still are — all public, not private, golf courses. And today they’re known as some of the most premium municipal courses in the nation.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In California, Richard said, publicly owned courses make up about a third of all courses statewide. And they’re at the forefront of welcoming new players into the sport and combating golf’s reputation for being overly white, male and exclusive.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Lily Achatz, president of the Harding Park Women’s Golf Club, knows that firsthand. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz:\u003c/strong> I didn’t grow up playing golf. I got into golf much later, about like six years ago. I don’t know how many sports there are that you can get into, you know, get into it so late. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>She says municipal golf courses, with their relatively cheap fees and open access, are critical to help lower barriers to the sport.\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>A private golf club could run you thousands of dollars in initiation fees, monthly dues and food and beverage minimums. A round at a public golf course, meanwhile, ranges from about $30 to $100, with discounts for residents. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz:\u003c/strong> What makes it so wonderful is that there’s all different generations here. There’s friends, all different backgrounds. The municipal courses are so important because it’s hard to get access to a country club or even be accepted.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>In fact, golf wasn’t even racially integrated until the 1950s. And Bay Area municipal courses had a role in that, too. Richard shows me a photo of a plaque that hangs at Pacifica’s Sharp Park course. At the time, the course was known for denying tee times to Black players. But in 1955, that changed when Sharp Park became the site of the inaugural championship tournament of the Western States Golf Association, one of the country’s oldest and largest African American golfing organizations.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris:\u003c/strong> It was swimming pools in the south. In San Francisco, it was golf courses. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Still, even today, municipal courses can feel exclusive. When Mary asked her question originally, she actually pointed out this bias she feels. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>If I’m walking through a city park and I pass by tennis courts, I don’t really blink an eye, or basketball courts. But it’s funny that to me, like a golf course strikes me differently, you know that I sort of wonder, oh, wait, why is this here? And who actually uses this? You know? \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> When we return, we explore who these golf courses are for. And get into the finances. Stay with us.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Music starts\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>KQED’s Outdoors reporter Sarah Wright is very familiar with the condemnation golf courses sometimes face.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Any type of golf course will inevitably draw criticism from those worried about its environmental impact. They are, after all, enormous, frequently watered, heavily manicured lawns. Many golf courses are\u003cem> \u003c/em>working to become more sustainable, but that could be its own story for another day.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>To keep things focused on Mary’s question, I spoke with Max Korten, acting general manager of the East Bay Regional Parks District.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He says the public has just as much a right to nice turf on a golf course as any other park amenity. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten: \u003c/strong>I think it’s one of the really cool things about some of our parks is like, in Tilden, there’s like the merry-go-round, the steam trains, the golf course, like some of these things that… You kind of feel like you’re visiting another era.\u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003cbr>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>East Bay Regional Parks has two golf courses, Tilden and Redwood Canyon, and Max says they take up just a combined 240 acres of the 120,000 the district manages. And the golf courses aren’t just for golfers. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten:\u003c/strong> The driving range is something that like anybody could do. I’ve taken my son there, my dad and step-mom, like who haven’t really ever played golf, and go just try to hit balls. And it’s really fun and fairly inexpensive. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Max explained that golf courses in East Bay parks are operated as concessions. So a private company, in this case, called Touchstone, operates the courses and then a percentage of their profits, around 10 percent, goes to the parks district. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>They can also be a major money maker for the parks. Last year, Max said, Tilden brought in over $800,000 in revenue — it’s the most profitable concession in the entire parks district. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the East Bay, fees are limited by the public parks district board to keep things affordable for the golfers themselves, Max said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten:\u003c/strong> Keeping these public courses around to provide low-cost ways for community members to access golf is really important because I think they’re sort of an equity opportunity to make sure that this sport is available to everyone. \u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Now, not every city can say public golf is a money maker. In San Francisco, for example, the city is subsidizing the courses’ expected $6 million deficit for the 2026-27 fiscal year, and the city has begun raising rates at some public courses to help close the gap.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So, to answer Mary’s question, there often is a symbiotic relationship between the parks departments and the courses – but not always. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>I went and told Mary what I found — about how the golf courses she was walking by during the pandemic — do help fund the park.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary: \u003c/strong>I’m glad to hear that they’re actually making money for East Bay Regional Parks. I feel like, you know, parks are always underfunded, you know, they’re always sort of like the first to be cut. So, to hear that they’re actually supporting the park, I think, is great.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>I admit — I was surprised to learn that too.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Yeah, it’s definitely sort of changed my mind and sort of given me more of a positive perspective on them than I had before.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>So much so that she was even willing to give it a try herself. Olivia and I asked Mary and Lily Achatz, from the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance, to join us at Corica Park in Alameda. It’s hot and sunny, and for a Thursday afternoon, the golf course is bustling.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>You guys brought the good weather. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Corica Park actually has several golf courses, and even a foot golf course where you can kick soccer balls into giant holes in the green. We convened at the smaller Par 3 course, which is a great option for kids, beginners or anyone looking for a lower-key experience — which was perfect for our group of just one expert and three complete amateurs.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> I have never played golf before ever in my life. Not even miniature golf, actually, neither one. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>So how do you predict this is going to go?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>I honestly don’t know, but I do see some water over here and I imagine one of my balls would go in there.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Well, as it turns out, Mary is an athlete – she grew up playing basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, rowing — you name it. So she got the hang of it quick.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Here, I’m just going to do a gentle putt.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Mary hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Nice, woohoo!\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>My first ever!\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Olivia and I, we did our best… \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Okay, it only took three swings to make contact.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> And you did it. And you were lined up perfectly. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>And, no surprise, Lily crushed us all. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Lily hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>That was incredible, I don’t even know where it went! \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>It sliced to the right.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>After around an hour, we called it quits. I asked Mary how she thought it went.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> It felt a little funny, but I think if I did it more, I would definitely get used to it, you know, and it would be something, like, I would be at home, right? You know before bed or something like that, practicing my swing, like, okay, you know.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> So, Olivia, what do you think? Is there more golfing in our future?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> I think I’m going to stick to podcasting, for now. But I don’t know, Mary seemed to be getting into it. Maybe we’ll have to check in with her in a year and see how things are coming along.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> I know that I’ll be practicing my swing. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>Sarah Wright, outdoors reporter for KQED. Thank you!\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> Thank you so much.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>Bay Curious is made in San Francisco at member-supported KQED. Our show is produced by Katrina Schwartz, Christopher Beale, Anna Casalme, and me, Olivia Allen-Price. We get extra support from Maha Sanad, Katie Sprenger, Jen Chien, Ethan Toven-Lindsey and everyone on team KQED.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Some members of the KQED podcast team are represented by the Screen Actors Guild American Federation of Television and Radio Artists San Francisco Northern California Local.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>I’m Olivia Allen-Price. Have a great week.\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>"
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"slug": "49ers-owner-jed-york-pleads-no-contest-to-2-misdemeanor-charges-in-ohio",
"title": "49ers Owner Jed York Pleads No Contest to 2 Misdemeanor Charges in Ohio",
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"headTitle": "49ers Owner Jed York Pleads No Contest to 2 Misdemeanor Charges in Ohio | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/49ers\">San Francisco 49ers\u003c/a> owner Jed York was arrested over the weekend in Ohio and pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>York was arrested Sunday in East Palestine, Ohio, and was released after posting a $5,000 bond. He was sentenced to one day in jail for both offenses to be served concurrently and was credited with one day served when he pleaded no contest Monday morning. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He also was fined $1,150.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Court records show that York initially was charged with engaging in prostitution, but prosecutors amended that to disorderly conduct. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1321\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2260236530.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12096502\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2260236530.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2260236530-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2260236530-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jed York speaks during a press conference after Super Bowl LX on Feb. 9, 2026 at Moscone Center in San Francisco, California. (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Records also show that York had a cellphone returned to him and that $160 that was seized was to be given to the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force as part of the plea agreement. York also completed an online course.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The 49ers and the NFL didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The 46-year-old York took over day-to-day control of the 49ers from his parents in 2008. He became the team’s principal owner in 2024. After some initial struggles under York’s leadership, the team has been a consistent contender since hiring coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch in 2017.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Niners have made the Super Bowl three times under York’s leadership, losing in the 2012 season under coach Jim Harbaugh and the 2019 and ’23 seasons under Shanahan and Lynch.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>York also oversaw the building of Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The team moved from San Francisco to the new stadium in 2014. The stadium has hosted two Super Bowls, a World Cup and a College Football Playoff title game.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"title": "Commonwealth Club of California Podcast",
"info": "The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. As a non-partisan forum, The Club brings to the public airwaves diverse viewpoints on important topics. The Club's weekly radio broadcast - the oldest in the U.S., dating back to 1924 - is carried across the nation on public radio stations and is now podcasting. Our website archive features audio of our recent programs, as well as selected speeches from our long and distinguished history. This podcast feed is usually updated twice a week and is always un-edited.",
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"order": 9
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"airtime": "SUN 7:30pm-8pm",
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"tagline": "Where conversation and cultura meet",
"info": "What kind of no sabo word is Hyphenación? For us, it’s about living within a hyphenation. Like being a third-gen Mexican-American from the Texas border now living that Bay Area Chicano life. Like Xorje! Each week we bring together a couple of hyphenated Latinos to talk all about personal life choices: family, careers, relationships, belonging … everything is on the table. ",
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"order": 15
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"title": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"tagline": "Lessons from a lifetime in politics",
"info": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown brings listeners the wisdom of the former Governor, Mayor, and presidential candidate. Scott Shafer interviewed Brown for more than 40 hours, covering the former governor's life and half-century in the political game – and Brown has some lessons he'd like to share. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Political-Mind-of-Jerry-Brown-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
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"order": 18
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"info": "Latino USA, the radio journal of news and culture, is the only national, English-language radio program produced from a Latino perspective.",
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"marketplace": {
"id": "marketplace",
"title": "Marketplace",
"info": "Our flagship program, helmed by Kai Ryssdal, examines what the day in money delivered, through stories, conversations, newsworthy numbers and more. Updated Monday through Friday at about 3:30 p.m. PT.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 4pm-4:30pm, MON-WED 6:30pm-7pm",
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"source": "American Public Media"
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"masters-of-scale": {
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"title": "Masters of Scale",
"info": "Masters of Scale is an original podcast in which LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock Partner Reid Hoffman sets out to describe and prove theories that explain how great entrepreneurs take their companies from zero to a gazillion in ingenious fashion.",
"airtime": "Every other Wednesday June 12 through October 16 at 8pm (repeats Thursdays at 2am)",
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},
"mindshift": {
"id": "mindshift",
"title": "MindShift",
"tagline": "A podcast about the future of learning and how we raise our kids",
"info": "The MindShift podcast explores the innovations in education that are shaping how kids learn. Hosts Ki Sung and Katrina Schwartz introduce listeners to educators, researchers, parents and students who are developing effective ways to improve how kids learn. We cover topics like how fed-up administrators are developing surprising tactics to deal with classroom disruptions; how listening to podcasts are helping kids develop reading skills; the consequences of overparenting; and why interdisciplinary learning can engage students on all ends of the traditional achievement spectrum. This podcast is part of the MindShift education site, a division of KQED News. KQED is an NPR/PBS member station based in San Francisco. You can also visit the MindShift website for episodes and supplemental blog posts or tweet us \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/MindShiftKQED\">@MindShiftKQED\u003c/a> or visit us at \u003ca href=\"/mindshift\">MindShift.KQED.org\u003c/a>",
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"imageAlt": "KQED MindShift: How We Will Learn",
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"order": 12
},
"link": "/podcasts/mindshift",
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"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM1NzY0NjAwNDI5",
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"morning-edition": {
"id": "morning-edition",
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"info": "\u003cem>Morning Edition\u003c/em> takes listeners around the country and the world with multi-faceted stories and commentaries every weekday. Hosts Steve Inskeep, David Greene and Rachel Martin bring you the latest breaking news and features to prepare you for the day.",
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"onourwatch": {
"id": "onourwatch",
"title": "On Our Watch",
"tagline": "Deeply-reported investigative journalism",
"info": "For decades, the process for how police police themselves has been inconsistent – if not opaque. In some states, like California, these proceedings were completely hidden. After a new police transparency law unsealed scores of internal affairs files, our reporters set out to examine these cases and the shadow world of police discipline. On Our Watch brings listeners into the rooms where officers are questioned and witnesses are interrogated to find out who this system is really protecting. Is it the officers, or the public they've sworn to serve?",
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"order": 11
},
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"on-the-media": {
"id": "on-the-media",
"title": "On The Media",
"info": "Our weekly podcast explores how the media 'sausage' is made, casts an incisive eye on fluctuations in the marketplace of ideas, and examines threats to the freedom of information and expression in America and abroad. For one hour a week, the show tries to lift the veil from the process of \"making media,\" especially news media, because it's through that lens that we see the world and the world sees us",
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},
"link": "/radio/program/on-the-media",
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},
"pbs-newshour": {
"id": "pbs-newshour",
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"info": "Analysis, background reports and updates from the PBS NewsHour putting today's news in context.",
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"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PBS-News-Hour-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
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},
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"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/PBS-NewsHour---Full-Show-p425698/",
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},
"perspectives": {
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"order": 14
},
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"planet-money": {
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"info": "The economy explained. Imagine you could call up a friend and say, Meet me at the bar and tell me what's going on with the economy. Now imagine that's actually a fun evening.",
"airtime": "SUN 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/planetmoney.jpg",
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},
"link": "/radio/program/planet-money",
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/planet-money/id290783428?mt=2",
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"politicalbreakdown": {
"id": "politicalbreakdown",
"title": "Political Breakdown",
"tagline": "Politics from a personal perspective",
"info": "Political Breakdown is a new series that explores the political intersection of California and the nation. Each week hosts Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos are joined with a new special guest to unpack politics -- with personality — and offer an insider’s glimpse at how politics happens.",
"airtime": "THU 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Political-Breakdown-2024-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
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"order": 5
},
"link": "/podcasts/politicalbreakdown",
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"possible": {
"id": "possible",
"title": "Possible",
"info": "Possible is hosted by entrepreneur Reid Hoffman and writer Aria Finger. Together in Possible, Hoffman and Finger lead enlightening discussions about building a brighter collective future. The show features interviews with visionary guests like Trevor Noah, Sam Altman and Janette Sadik-Khan. Possible paints an optimistic portrait of the world we can create through science, policy, business, art and our shared humanity. It asks: What if everything goes right for once? How can we get there? Each episode also includes a short fiction story generated by advanced AI GPT-4, serving as a thought-provoking springboard to speculate how humanity could leverage technology for good.",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Possible-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.possible.fm/",
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"source": "Possible"
},
"link": "/radio/program/possible",
"subscribe": {
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"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/730YpdUSNlMyPQwNnyjp4k"
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},
"pri-the-world": {
"id": "pri-the-world",
"title": "PRI's The World: Latest Edition",
"info": "Each weekday, host Marco Werman and his team of producers bring you the world's most interesting stories in an hour of radio that reminds us just how small our planet really is.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 2pm-3pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-World-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
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