{"id":860677,"date":"2026-09-25T22:34:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T22:34:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/860677\/"},"modified":"2026-09-25T22:34:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T22:34:14","slug":"normalize-being-confused-how-newer-valkyries-fans-can-follow-the-2026-playoffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/860677\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Normalize Being Confused\u2019: How Newer Valkyries Fans Can Follow the 2026 Playoffs"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the second year in a row, the Golden State Valkyries have made it to the playoffs. Here\u2019s how you can follow the team in the Bay Area.<\/p>\n

Sep 25, 2026<\/p>\n

Updated 3:07 pm PT<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and Golden State Valkyries President Jess Smith raise a Valkyries flag outside San Francisco City Hall in San Francisco ahead of the Valkyries playoff push on Sept. 25, 2026.\u00a0(Nina Glick\/KQED)<\/p>\n

Get ready to read the word \u201csecond\u201d a bunch of times: because for the second year in a row \u2014 during its second year as a team \u2014 the Valkyries have made it to the WNBA<\/a> playoffs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a strong sophomore season for the Valkyries, who are, as of publication, ranked \u2014 you guessed it \u2014 second in the WNBA<\/a> out of 15 teams.<\/p>\n

The success has become a major point of pride for the region. In fact, to mark the occasion, San Francisco, Oakland and San Jos\u00e9 city halls will have flag-raising ceremonies<\/a> to celebrate the Valkyries. Local businesses across the region will also be marking \u201cViolet Day\u201d on Friday with giveaways<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"A Golden State Valkyries flag flies outside San Francisco City Hall in San Francisco ahead of the Valkyries playoff push on Sept. 25, 2026.\u00a0(Nina Glick\/KQED)<\/p>\n

With the playoffs officially starting on Sunday, read on to find out where you can follow the game in the coming weeks, whether on TV, at bars or at San Francisco\u2019s Chase Center \u2014 also known as \u201cBallhalla.\u201d<\/p>\n

And if you are new to the whole basketball thing, don\u2019t worry: We got you. KQED has a guide to joining the WNBA fandom in the Bay<\/a> and what to know about the Valkyries\u2019 inaugural year<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You can also watch KQED host Brian Watt speak to journalist Erin Lim about the passionate Bay Area fandom on an episode of The B-Segment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What makes the Valkyries\u2019 Ballhalla magical? | The B-Segment with Brian Watt<\/a><\/p>\n

\nFirst off: What are playoffs in the WNBA?\n<\/p>\n

After a regular season of basketball, the top eight WNBA teams then compete in a tournament. The team standings<\/a> are:<\/p>\n

Minnesota LynxGolden State ValkyriesLas Vegas AcesAtlanta DreamWashington MysticsIndiana FeverDallas WingsNew York Liberty<\/p>\n

Dates and times are subject to change \u2014 or even canceled altogether \u2014 depending on how the games go, but the tentative schedule<\/a> can be found on the WNBA\u2019s website.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Why is the schedule so up in the air? It\u2019s because in the first round, the highest-seeded teams face the lowest-seeded teams in a best-of-three series.\u00a0<\/p>\n

That means on Sunday, Sept. 27, the Valkyries are slated to play the Dallas Wings at 6 p.m.<\/a> in Chase Center. The next game is on Sept. 30, in Texas \u2014 but if the Valkyries win their first two matchups, their third game (which would have been at Chase Center again) won\u2019t happen on Oct. 2.<\/p>\n

In the second round, the four remaining teams play a best-of-five series. In the finals, the last two teams compete in a best-of-five series for the championship.<\/p>\n

You may see a \u201c2-2-1-1-1\u201d structure referred to in sports coverage, which designates where the games are played.<\/p>\n

The first \u201c2\u201d means the first two games are played on the stronger team\u2019s home court. The next \u201c2\u201d means the following two games are played on the weaker team\u2019s home court \u2014 and so on.<\/p>\n

As \u201cValkyries Say Less\u201d fan podcast co-host Raina Mast told KQED in 2025<\/a>, the Valkyries \u201chave really attracted people [who] have never even watched basketball.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd so there\u2019s a learning curve,\u201d Mast said. \u201cNormalize being confused. The structure is confusing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nWhere can I watch the WNBA playoff games?\n<\/p>\n

\nWatch the games at home\n<\/p>\n

The WNBA website has a list of ways to watch each playoff game<\/a>, since it can change for specific matches. Networks include: ABC<\/a>, Prime<\/a>, USA<\/a>, NBC\/Peacock<\/a>, ESPN and ESPN2<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You can also get access to the channels through platforms like YouTube TV<\/a>, Fubo<\/a> and the WNBA League Pass<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\nWatch the games in person\n<\/p>\n

Single-game tickets and playoff packs are available on the Valkyries\u2019 website<\/a> \u2014 although keep in mind, some of these future games might not even happen if the Valkyries don\u2019t do well in the first two games.<\/p>\n

You should expect some high price tags \u2014 for the guaranteed Sunday, Sept. 27 game<\/a>, the tickets range from $124 to over $800. However, there are some standing\u2013room tickets (meaning you don\u2019t get a chair) around the $65 to $80 range.<\/p>\n

\"\"Deanna, Raymond and Serenity Cheng celebrate at a press conference ahead of The Golden State Valkyries\u2019 second playoff run on Violet Day outside of San Jos\u00e9 City Hall in San Jos\u00e9 on Sept. 25, 2026.\u00a0(Miles Cull\/KQED)<\/p>\n

Along with getting to enjoy the electrifying vibes of Ballhalla, there\u2019ll also be a halftime performance by Bay Area rapper Too $hort and free violet T-shirts.<\/p>\n

It\u2019ll be the first time that playoffs will be held at Chase Center. Last year, the team had to move to San Jos\u00e9\u2019s SAP Center due to a conflict with a tennis event<\/a>.<\/p>\n

KQED has a thorough guide on how to attend a Valkyries game at Chase Center<\/a>, including transportation, parking and bag policy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\nWatch the game at a bar\n<\/p>\n

Unable to secure a ticket? You\u2019re in luck: There are a lot of bars and watch parties in the Bay that have historically shown Valkyries games, as detailed in KQED\u2019s guide about the WNBA season<\/a> \u2014 which also includes a map from sports journalist Maya Goldberg-Safir of key places to meet other fans.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Some spots include:<\/p>\n

The team\u2019s own website also has a list of bars in the Bay<\/a> to go to for Valkyries games.<\/p>\n