The San Francisco Bay Area has done it again, this time revolutionizing women’s professional basketball with the Golden State Valkyries. Despite being a first-year expansion team with a modest 19-18 record, the Valkyries have unexpectedly become a ticket-selling phenomenon, achieving the highest average home game attendance in the entire WNBA.

With an impressive average of 18,064 fans per game and a complete sell-out of all 17 home games at Chase Center, the Valkyries are proving that Bay Area sports fans are hungry for women’s basketball. This achievement comes at a time when the WNBA has broken its all-time attendance record, welcoming 2,501,609 fans as of August 20, 2025 - a significant milestone compared to the 16-team record set in 2002.

The team’s success isn’t just about numbers. It reflects a broader cultural shift in how women’s sports are perceived and supported. The Valkyries’ popularity might stem from the region’s deep basketball roots, particularly the legendary Stanford women’s basketball program, or simply the Bay Area’s progressive sports culture.

Interestingly, the Valkyries have achieved this feat without traditional markers of success. They have no star players, their All-Star player is out for the season with a knee injury, and their Number One draft pick is playing in European leagues. Yet, they’re currently holding the seventh spot in the WNBA playoff race.

The team’s potential playoff appearance might present a logistical challenge, as Chase Center is already booked for the Laver Cup tennis tournament during the potential playoff dates. However, given the Valkyries’ proven fan support, they’ll likely sell out whatever venue they play in.

This phenomenon isn’t just about basketball - it’s a testament to the Bay Area’s commitment to supporting and elevating women’s sports, breaking traditional barriers, and creating a new paradigm of fan engagement and support.