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Golden State Valkyries Debut in WNBA with Sold-Out Opener

The Bay Area’s first WNBA team since 2009 launched with a record crowd but fell 84-67 to the Los Angeles Sparks in their inaugural game.

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Sparks guard Kelsey Plum celebrates after scoring in a victory over the Golden State Valkyries in the teams’ WNBA season opener Friday, May 16, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Golden State Valkyries fans dance in Thrive City following the team’s opening night game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday, May 16, 2025. The Bay Area's newest professional sports franchise opens its inaugural season at Chase Center on Friday night.

Overview

  • The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA’s first expansion team since 2008, played their debut game at Chase Center in San Francisco before a sold-out crowd of 18,064 fans.
  • Despite the electric atmosphere, the Valkyries lost 84-67 to the Los Angeles Sparks, with Kelsey Plum scoring 37 points to lead the Sparks to victory.
  • Tiffany Hayes led the Valkyries with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Julie Vanloo energized the crowd with a third-quarter scoring burst.
  • The Valkyries’ branding, featuring Valkyrie Violet and a Bay Bridge-inspired logo, resonated with fans, who embraced the team’s identity and mission.
  • The franchise has exceeded 20,000 season ticket deposits, underscoring strong community support as they prepare for their next game against the Washington Mystics.