The Valkyries’ WNBA Finals win over the Atlanta Dream on Saturday capped the team’s record-breaking, two-year ascent from expansion team to league champions — a journey that captivated Bay Area and coronated Ballhalla (the arena previously known as the Chase Center) as the sport’s new crown jewel and best home-court advantage.
The Valkyries began their celebration at Oakland’s Jack London Square for a Tip-off Ceremony before boarding a ferry to San Francisco. The team, along with community organizations, paraded down The Embarcadero at noon Wednesday, starting at Mission Street outside of the Ferry Building and ending some two hours later at King and Second streets.
Members of the Golden State Valkyries arrive for a Tip-Off Ceremony at Jack London Square on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, in Oakland, Calif. The ceremony celebrated the team’s recent WNBA Championship. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
Fans of the Golden State Valkyries gather for a Tip-Off Ceremony at Jack London Square on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, in Oakland, Calif. The ceremony celebrated the team’s recent WNBA Championship. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase greets fans as she arrives for a Tip-Off Ceremony at Jack London Square on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, in Oakland, Calif. The ceremony celebrated the team’s recent WNBA Championship. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
Members of the Golden State Valkyries arrive for a Tip-Off Ceremony at Jack London Square on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, in Oakland, Calif. The ceremony celebrated the team’s recent WNBA Championship. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries players arrive by ferry from Oakland to San Francisco for the Valkyrie’s championship parade along the Embarcadero on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries players arrive by ferry from Oakland to San Francisco for the Valkyrie’s championship parade along the Embarcadero on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Stacey Camillo, of Oakland, wait for Valkyries Championship Parade to begin along The Embarcadero in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Left, Golden State Valkyries’ Gabby Williams holds her MVP trophy before the start of the teamÕs championship parade.(Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Right, Golden State Valkyries’ Gabby Williams dances with the MVP Trophy during the Valkyries Championship Parade along The Embarcadero. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Gabby Williams (1) waves to fans after hitting the GSV drum next to San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie before the Valkyries Championship Parade along The Embarcadero in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Kiah Stokes (41) high fives fans during the Valkyries Championship Parade near Oracle Park along The Embarcadero in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Veronica Burton (22) signs autographs during the Valkyries Championship Parade outside Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Kiah Stokes sprays champagne toward the crowd during the teamÕs WNBA championship parade along the Embarcadero in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Gabby Williams (1) drinks champagne during the Valkyries Championship Parade along The Embarcadero in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Kaitlyn Chen sprays champagne toward the crowd during the team’s WNBA championship parade along the Embarcadero in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Tiffany Hayes waves to the crowd during the team’s WNBA championship parade along the Embarcadero in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Fans cheer during the Valkyries Championship Parade along The Embarcadero in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries fans cheer during the team’s championship parade along the Embarcadero in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries fans cheer during the team’s championship parade along the Embarcadero in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries co-owner Joe Lacob greets fans during the team’s championship parade along the Embarcadero in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries fans cheer during the team’s championship parade along the Embarcadero in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries fans cheer during the team’s championship parade along the Embarcadero in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Veronica Burton takes selfies with fans during the team’s championship parade along the Embarcadero in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
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Golden State Valkyries fans cheer during the team’s championship parade along the Embarcadero in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
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Golden State Valkyries fans cheer during the team’s championship parade along the Embarcadero in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Laeticia Amihere (3) high fives fans during the Valkyries Championship Parade along The Embarcadero in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase waves to crowd during the team’s championship parade along the Embarcadero in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries mascot, Violet, takes part during the team’s championship parade along the Embarcadero in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries team members take part during the team’s championship parade along the Embarcadero in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)