Valkyries parade draws tens of thousands across the bay

Tens of thousands of fans packed the streets of San Francisco and Oakland on Wednesday to celebrate the Golden State Valkyries' WNBA championship.

The team secured the title on Saturday with a 68-63 victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 7. Players encouraged supporters to take the day off work or school to join the festivities. Many fans heeded the advice, filling the route with dancing, champagne, and high-fives.

The celebration route spanned both sides of San Francisco Bay. The day began at Jack London Square in Oakland, close to the team's downtown practice facility. Players posed with the championship trophy on stage before boarding a ferry. The parade continued from the San Francisco Ferry Building and ended near Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants.

The victory marked a rapid rise for the franchise. Golden State received an expansion slot three years ago. At that time, owner Joe Lacob pledged a championship within five years. The team delivered the title in its second season under coach Natalie Nakase. The club had already made history in 2025 by becoming the first expansion franchise to reach the playoffs in its inaugural year.

The parade featured the team's mascot, Violet, also known as Vi. The raven character reflects the team's name, which references Norse mythology. Fans dressed in team colors from head to toe. Some cheered from rooftops as the double-decker bus moved through the city. Guard Juste Jocyte performed a hand gesture on the bus. The move mocked a taunt used by Atlanta player Angel Reese during Game 3, when she signaled that the Valkyries were too small. The players turned that comment into a symbol of their victory.

The parade concluded near the Giants' stadium after a day of public celebration. The team honored supporters on both sides of the bay. The event marked the culmination of a season that saw the young franchise claim its first major trophy.