Golden State Valkyries cross the bay to celebrate rapid title win

Golden State Valkyries players urged fans to skip work and school on Wednesday, and thousands of supporters answered the call. The team’s championship parade wound through the streets of the Bay Area, drawing large crowds who danced, sprayed champagne, and high-fived the players on floats.

The celebration began at Jack London Square in Oakland, a site located near the team’s downtown practice facility. Players posed for photos with the WNBA championship trophy before boarding a ferry. The vessel carried the squad across San Francisco Bay to the Ferry Building, where the main procession started.

The route concluded near Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. Fans lined the streets from head to toe in team colors. The parade also featured Vi, the team’s raven mascot, who is based on Norse mythology.

The Valkyries claimed the title on Saturday with a 68-63 victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 7. This championship marks a major milestone for the franchise, which was granted an expansion spot three years ago. At that time, owner Joe Lacob promised a title within five years. Coach Natalie Nakase’s squad delivered the trophy in its second season.

The team had already made history in 2025 by becoming the first expansion franchise to reach the playoffs in its inaugural year. The rapid success has solidified the franchise’s place in the league just two years after its first game.

Players also embraced a taunt from the opposing team. During Game 3, Atlanta player Angel Reese gestured to the Valkyries bench that they were too small. After winning the series, several players, including guard Juste Jocyte, used that same hand sign to greet the crowd during the parade.

Guard Tiffany Hayes waved to supporters from a double-decker bus as it moved through San Francisco. The event concluded with the players returning to the crowd near the ballpark, capping a day of celebration in both cities.