Particle.news
Download on the App Store
26 ARTICLES
·
last wk.

Golden State Valkyries Debut in Front of Record Sellout Crowd

The WNBA's first expansion team since 2008 launched its inaugural season with an 84-67 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks at Chase Center.

Image
Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) and head coach Natalie Nakase during the third quarter of a May 6 preseason game.
Kelsey Plum #10 of the Los Angeles Sparks dribbles the ball up court against the Golden State Valkyries in the first half of a WNBA basket ball game at Chase Center on May 06, 2025 in San Francisco, California.

Overview

  • The Golden State Valkyries made their WNBA debut on May 16, 2025, as the league's 13th franchise and first expansion team in 17 years.
  • A sellout crowd of 18,064 fans packed Chase Center, setting a new attendance record for a team’s inaugural game in WNBA history.
  • Despite a strong third-quarter rally led by Julie Vanloo, the Valkyries fell to the Sparks, with Kelsey Plum scoring 37 points for Los Angeles.
  • The Valkyries have already surpassed 10,000 season ticket sales, a first for a WNBA expansion team, reflecting strong community support.
  • The franchise's debut marked a significant moment for professional women’s basketball in the Bay Area, nearly three decades after the last local team folded.