The Valkyries bested the Atlanta Dream at San Francisco’s Chase Center.

Oct 17, 2026

Updated 5:24 pm PT

Fans stand outside Chase Center in San Francisco before the WNBA Finals game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream on Oct. 17, 2026. The Valkyries bested the Atlanta Dream at San Francisco’s Chase Center.  (Beth LaBerge/KQED)

It’s another first for the Golden State Valkyries — the franchise’s first-ever WNBA Finals win. 

The team took Game 1 of the best-of-seven series against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Saturday afternoon. 

The Valkyries channeled a lively Ballhalla crowd during the match, taking in yet another sold-out arena’s roars. The game was a close one at 68-64. The two teams went back and forth to take the lead until the last few minutes, when the Valkyries held on.

Fans cheer for the Golden State Valkyries during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 17, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)

“We always know we’re gonna find a way somehow,” forward Gabby Williams told reporters after the game. 

When asked how it felt to hear the crowd shout her name, Williams said it feels “like we’re not done yet.”

Viveca Ycoy-Walton, who watched the game at Oakland’s Golden Ratio Bar, was feeling differently. 

“I’m feeling freaking amazing,” Ycoy-Walton said. “This is a moment for the Bay right now.”

The Golden State Valkyries celebrate their win against the Atlanta Dream during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 17, 2026.

The Golden State Valkyries play the Atlanta Dream during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 17, 2026.

Atlanta and Golden State are both top-tier defending teams, and as they battled the Valkyries seemed to miss some of the shots they would usually make. Williams wasn’t worried. 

“I feel the belief and the trust from my teammates and staff. That’s why those moments don’t maybe feel as heavy, because I know whatever happens, this team is just going to find a way,” Williams said. 

Fans cheered throughout the game and erupted when the Valkyries got the win. Even before the match, they showed their love for the atmosphere in and out of the arena. 

Alisha Ardiana, dressed in lavender coveralls, hair and a Valkyries bag outside of Chase Center, made fun of her wife last year for her interest in the team — only to find herself basking in the joy she said she was surrounded by. 

The Golden State Valkyries play the Atlanta Dream during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 17, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)

“Today is about lavender,” Ardiana said. “So much of what is important about this event is that everyone gets to be a shiny 12-year-old version of themselves.” 

Carol Rossi’s journey to being a fan was a little different — she was a founding season ticket holder. She said she thought fans would mostly be other lesbians, but found that families, dads and people of all cultures were always around. 

“We like to say, ‘This is what our country would be like if Kamala [Harris] had been elected president,’” Rossi said. “Everyone’s welcome and we get along.” 

Fans cheer for the Golden State Valkyries during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 17, 2026.

Fans cheer for the Golden State Valkyries during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 17, 2026.

Season ticket holder Jessie Dotson said she’s been “all in” since experiencing the energy of the crowd.

“I just love the game, I love the vibe. It’s just like a happy place,” Dotson said. 

The Valkyries will be adding to their list of historic firsts if they win the series. 

They’re only in their second season. Despite being the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, they were counted out by some in the semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces, who they swept.

Alisha Ardiana stands outside Chase Center in San Francisco before the WNBA Finals game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream on Oct. 17, 2026.

Alison Garvin (left) and Mallory Haggart cheer outside Chase Center in San Francisco before the WNBA Finals game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream on Oct. 17, 2026.

They’re no underdogs in the Finals, though. 

Whether it’s thanks to Ballhalla’s magic or the undeniable strength of the team’s roster this year, ESPN predicted  before Game 1 that the Valkyries had a 62.4% chance of taking home the franchise’s first championship.

The Dream, which swept the New York Liberty in its own semifinals series, hasn’t been to the finals since 2013, when they were swept (like they were the other two previous times the Dream reached the WNBA’s highest stage). But they have three all stars this year and are leading ESPN’s individual player playoff rankings.

In the Valkyries’ first season, they clinched an expansion team’s first appearance in the playoffs after achieving the league’s second-best first-year winning percentage ever. They were swept in the first round, but clearly didn’t give up. 

Fans stand outside Chase Center in San Francisco before the WNBA Finals game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream on Oct. 17, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)

They’re the first professional women’s sports team to generate at least $100 million in annual revenue — in the second year in a row the Valks have posted the highest value of any WNBA team. 

Ycoy-Walton said if they win, it will be “by design.” 

“It’s no secret that at the second year of what they’ve built there in the organization, from the [general manager] all the way down to the coaches, even to the support staff, they built something really special here in Oakland even though they play in [San Francisco],” Ycoy-Walton said. “Oakland really has a big piece of the heart of the Valks.”

V Vasquez, a bartender at Golden Ratio, said at halftime that the Valkyries mean more for Oakland because of the departure of other professional sports teams like the former Oakland Raiders and the A’s. 

Fans cheer for the Golden State Valkyries during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 17, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)

“It’s a bummer to see them go,” Vasquez said. “A women’s basketball team, I feel like it’s bringing in a lot of people who maybe weren’t following the WNBA before.”

Game 2 of the Finals is at Chase Center on Monday at 5 p.m, and Nakase is hoping fans bring even more energy. “Level up, right? We gotta go Game 2,” Nakase said after the game. “ It has to be better, we’re gonna ask more from our players so I’d say … rest and recover, Ballhalla.” 

KQED’s Natalia Navarro and Christopher Alam contributed to this report.