Welcome to UC Berkeley — and to one of the most fiercely loyal and delightfully chaotic sports regions in the country. It doesn’t matter if you’re from the East Coast, Southern California or somewhere in between, falling in love with Bay Area sports is practically a rite of passage. Don’t worry — we’ve got the cheat sheet right here.

The holy trinity: Giants, Niners, Warriors

If you learn nothing else, learn this: The Bay’s Big Three are religion.

The San Francisco Giants have played ball by the Bay since 1958, and their waterfront home at Oracle Park is one of the most beautiful stadiums in the MLB. They brought three World Series titles home in the 2010s, and though recent seasons have been rocky, fans remain fiercely loyal. Get used to hearing the name Buster Posey spoken with reverence — and don’t ever say “Go Dodgers.”

The San Francisco 49ers are as much about vibes as they are about victories. With a legacy that includes Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Steve Young, the Niners are historic, iconic and deeply woven into the fabric of Bay life. They haven’t won a ring since 1994 — having come oh-so-close so many times — but they still have the region’s heart. Levi’s Stadium is technically in Santa Clara, but on Sundays, Niners fans are everywhere in the East Bay and beyond.

The Golden State Warriors round out the trifecta. Once the underdogs of Oakland, the Dubs became a global powerhouse during the Steph Curry era, redefining hoops with ball movement and deep threes. The move to Chase Center brought change, but for many fans, the spirit of Oakland’s Oracle Arena still lives on.

Quick PSA: For the record, Sacramento is not the Bay Area. Bay sports fans take geography — and NBA loyalty — very seriously. Mention the Kings at your own risk.

Fallen soldiers: the A’s and Raiders

Not every team in the Bay has prospered like the Warriors.

The Athletics, a once-storied MLB franchise, are now in a painful limbo both literally and emotionally. Thanks to dwindling attendance and an ownership group widely criticized for neglecting the team, the A’s are set to relocate to Las Vegas in 2028. In the meantime, they’ve landed in Sacramento for a few awkward years. The move has left East Bay fans grieving, bitter and justifiably furious. If you meet an A’s fan on campus, buy them a coffee. They’ve been through a lot.

The Raiders, too, packed up and left, abandoning their Oakland identity for the glitz and glam of Vegas. While some local fans followed them, others have moved on. Just don’t bring it up unless you’re ready for a passionate rant.

The new era: Bay FC and Valkyries

But for every goodbye, there’s a hello, and the Bay’s newest teams are bringing something fresh to the scene.

Thanks to the dumpster fire called the San Jose Earthquakes, soccer has long been an afterthought in the Bay. Bay FC, the region’s first National Women’s Soccer League team, is working to change that. It launched its inaugural season in 2024 and is already making waves. With electrifying players like Racheal Kundananji and a mission rooted in empowerment and equity, Bay FC is more than a team — it’s a movement. They play at PayPal Park in San Jose, but their impact stretches across the Bay.

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA’s newest expansion franchise, made their long-awaited debut in 2025 — and the hype has been absolutely real. Backed by the Warriors and already drawing sellout crowds to Chase Center, the Valkyries are reshaping Bay Area basketball culture. With bold branding, a rising roster and a fanbase ready to storm Ballhalla, it’s quickly become one of the most exciting new teams in the league.

What about the Sharks?

The San Jose Sharks may not attract the same spotlight as the Bay’s bigger franchises, but they hold a firm place in the region’s sports landscape. As the Bay Area’s NHL team, the Sharks have a fiercely loyal following and offer one of the most distinct fan experiences around. SAP Center — affectionately known as “The Tank” — is home to teal jerseys, passionate crowds and one of the most thunderous goal horns in the league. If you’ve never watched ice hockey before, this is a great place to start.

The Cardinal rule of Cal fandom

We’ve talked pro teams, but let’s be clear: you’re in college now — and here at Cal, there’s only one rivalry that really matters. Stanford is the enemy. The Big Game is our Super Bowl, the Axe belongs in Berkeley and no matter the sport, rooting against the Cardinal is always the right move. The Axe has been ours for six of the last seven years, and we plan to keep it.