Golden State Valkyries Celebrate First WNBA Championship With San Francisco Parade

The Golden State Valkyries celebrated their historic first WNBA championship with a vibrant parade along San Francisco's waterfront, drawing thousands of fans to The Embarcadero. In just their second season, the Valkyries captured the league title by defeating the Atlanta Dream in a thrilling Game 7 series that concluded on Halloween night at the Chase Center, affectionately known by fans as Ballhalla.

The championship procession began near the Ferry Building at Mission Street and traveled down The Embarcadero toward King and 2nd Street near Oracle Park. To honor the team's regional roots, players, coaches, and staff traveled by ferry from their practice facility in Oakland over to San Francisco before taking to the streets to greet supporters dressed in Valkyries Violet.

Festivities kicked off with Finals MVP Gabby Williams and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie beating the traditional game-day drum to signal the start of the procession. "I think one of the players said it best: This is what happens when you invest in women's sports," Mayor Lurie stated ahead of the event. Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan were also in attendance to join the regional celebration.

Team president Jess Smith emphasized the deep connection between the franchise and its supporters throughout the milestone run. "We are the Bay's team, from our practice facility in Oakland to our home court in San Francisco and everywhere in between," Smith said. "Our fans have been with us since day one. They sold out every game, traveled with us and made Ballhalla one of the best environments in sports."

Head coach Natalie Nakase reflected on the special bond formed between the squad and the community during the championship campaign. "I can't even express how amazing it was to finish off this Finals series in front of them in Ballhalla, to celebrate everything we've poured into each other to become champions," Nakase said. "This is as much theirs as it is ours. We can't wait to bring the 2026 WNBA Championship Trophy to them and celebrate what we've accomplished together."

Local transit agencies implemented major adjustments to accommodate the massive crowds heading into downtown San Francisco. BART operated extended and additional trains, while the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency coordinated bus reroutes, street closures, and geofencing restrictions to manage traffic safely. San Francisco police and fire departments maintained an elevated presence along the route, ensuring a secure environment for the celebratory throngs.