Chase Center - Golden State Valkyries
- Chris Green
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57
Chase Center 1 Warriors Way San Francisco, CA 94158
Year Opened: 2019
Capacity: 18,064
A Golden WNBA Destination
The home of basketball in San Francisco has a new tenant. In their early years of existence, the Golden State Valkyries have become an instant local favorite, featuring one of the loudest and most impressive home-court experiences in the league. Chase Center provides the perfect location for this team to flourish in the Bay Area. A new, modern facility in a re-born neighborhood close to numerous forms of public transit makes for all the classic ingredients needed to foster success. A mirror to the WNBA on everything that it has gotten right in the past decade, this may soon be known as one of the best fan experiences in all of Bay Area sports.
Food & Beverage 4
The concessions at Chase Center truly do offer nearly everything one could hope for at a sporting event. The variety is astounding and while the prices may be higher than other establishments, the quality is solid. Chorizo-spiced cauliflower nachos ($19), locally caught albacore tuna poke bowls ($28), and purple potato pesto with smoked bacon pizza slices ($14.99) are just a small sampling of the highlights to be found around the arena on game days. Ice cream ($11), salads ($13.99), chicken tenders ($18.99), and more standard fare are also available. Drinks include the basics of water ($7.25) and sodas ($8.25-$10.25) all the way to premium beer ($19-$21.50) and wine ($17.50-$28.99). Premium cocktails are also available at various locations ($17.99-$31.50).
Atmosphere 5
The experience on game day for the Valkyries cannot be understated. The atmosphere is electric. From the pre-game experience around the arena before tip-off to the player intros with the fire and laser lights inside, Golden State has done a great job of making this a memorable fan experience. The arena has also done a stellar job of making the overall look of the facility match that of the team, an especially difficult task when the other tenants (the NBA’s Golden State Warriors) have competing team colors. All around the concourse, various photo ops are present, as well as small and large pop-up merch locations. The arena also pays homage to its own history with an entire section dedicated to event posters of concerts and performances that have been hosted here, giving fans a nice look at the history of Chase Center.
Neighborhood 4
San Francisco has seen a revitalization of various neighborhoods in recent years. Located in the Mission Bay neighborhood, Chase Center is a part of Thrive City, an 11-acre mixed-use development with retail and restaurants galore. Local establishments have filled in the area outside the main entrance of the arena and its surrounding district, making for a great place to kick off your game-day experience or to enjoy a post-game bite to eat. Furthermore, hotels and lodging are plentiful nearby. Just blocks away, fans can find a Hyatt Place and LUMA Hotel San Francisco. Various options also exist for public transport to the arena as well as parking. The property adjacent to the facility offers great views of San Francisco Bay and easy access to walking trails (San Francisco Bay Trail) and green spaces (Bayfront Park and Agua Vista Park).
Fans 5
There isn’t much that can be said beyond giving the fans here a top-tier rating. Golden State fans have very quickly adopted this team into their sporting identity in San Francisco. One would almost easily excuse them for the opposite due to the very full sports scene here in the Bay Area. However, the fervor with which fans have shown up and shown love for the Valkyries is beyond impressive. Crowd noise that rivals that of the NBA’s best arenas, sellout games, jerseys and team merch in nearly every seat, and a sports-knowledgeable fanbase are part of the DNA here at Chase Center game days for the WNBA.
Access 5
There is a lot to love about how easy it is to get to games at Chase Center. First, parking is plentiful. Parking under the arena is available, as well as at various lots around the property just blocks away. Also a block or two away is the Pier 48 Ferry dock, offering ferry service to Oakland or Main St. Alameda for just $11.25 each way for adults and $8.50 for seniors 65+ or kids 5-17 years old (kids under 5 are free). Chase Center event tickets also include all-day Muni fares on the bus and metro lines. The Mission Bay Shuttle also offers free rides that connect Mission Bay to BART and the Salesforce Transit Center on several routes until 8 p.m. on weekdays. BART and Caltrain also are options for fans on game days.
Return on Investment 5
Tickets to Valkyries games start at $70 for the uppermost rows of the arena, venturing all the way to $170 for lower-bowl seats. More premium options can rise into the $400 range. This is on the higher end for a game in the WNBA in some markets. That said, the league is experiencing a major boom in interest, and one could easily argue this reflects appropriate pricing for the demand in the Bay Area. Additionally, the quality of the game-day experience more than fits the bill for the price paid. This is absolutely one of the best sports experiences in the WNBA, if not the Bay Area itself. It is easy to see why nearly every game is a complete sellout.
Extras 4
The team has several photo spots set up inside the venue for fans. The facility also includes a live DJ during the game to go with the in-arena host and hype crew. Fans can also look forward to the players throwing giveaways into the stands during post-game celebrations after a win. Finally, the arena features an entire section dedicated to event posters of concerts and performances that have been hosted here, giving fans a nice look at the history of Chase Center.
Final Thoughts
Game day at Chase Center for the Golden State Valkyries easily stands up to any sporting experience in the San Francisco Bay Area, and may very well be one of the best in the WNBA. The fans here are incredible. The vibes are unmatched. The team has been wholly embraced and will now be a fixture for years to come. Without a doubt, this is a must-see experience in the Bay Area’s sports scene.
