Imagine a brand-new team, no major stars, and a middling record… yet they’re breaking attendance records! The Golden State Valkyries are taking the WNBA by storm, proving that the Bay Area’s passion for women’s basketball is unmatched. What’s the secret behind their sold-out games and league-leading crowds?

The Golden State Valkyries have emerged as an unprecedented success story in their inaugural WNBA season, astonishingly leading the entire league in average home game attendance despite their status as an expansion team with no marquee star players and a modest record. This remarkable achievement underscores a burgeoning passion for women’s basketball in the Bay Area, defying conventional wisdom about what drives ticket sales in professional sports.

While Bay Area sports fans are traditionally accustomed to championship-caliber performances from teams like the SF Giants, 49ers, and Golden State Warriors, the Valkyries have carved out their own niche. With a 19-18 record, they sit just above .500, a statistic that might typically disappoint a fan base used to perennial contenders. Yet, this has done little to dampen the enthusiasm surrounding the team.

Indeed, the Valkyries are a ticket-selling juggernaut, drawing larger average crowds than any other team in the WNBA. This includes powerhouse teams featuring highly celebrated players, such as Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever, highlighting the unique appeal and robust support the Golden State Valkyries command. Their success is a significant part of a larger trend within the league.

This season has been historic for the WNBA overall, setting an all-time attendance record with over 2.5 million fans as of late August 2025. What makes this record particularly impressive is that it was achieved with only 13 teams playing 226 games, surpassing a previous record set in 2002 with 16 teams and 256 games. This surge indicates a growing national interest in women’s basketball.

The Golden State Valkyries are credited as a significant catalyst in this league-wide attendance surge. Playing at San Francisco’s Chase Center, the same venue as the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, the Valkyries have achieved a perfect record of selling out all 17 of their home games to date, attracting an impressive league-best average of 18,064 fans per game. While they haven’t played as many home games as some other teams, their per-game draw is unmatched.

The underlying reasons for the Valkyries’ phenomenal popularity are multifaceted. It could be attributed to the deep-rooted Bay Area women’s basketball fan base, nurtured by decades of collegiate success and local enthusiasm. Alternatively, the team’s innovative marketing strategies may have resonated strongly with the community, or it might simply reflect the Bay Area’s inherent receptiveness and progressive support for women’s sports.

Despite their middling record, the Valkyries currently hold a pivotal position in the standings, on the cusp of securing a playoff spot. Should they qualify, the immense fan demand would pose a unique challenge for the Chase Center, which has existing commitments for the potential September playoff dates. This likely means the Golden State Valkyries will need to find an alternative venue, a testament to their overwhelming fan support that promises to fill any arena they play in.