By Mauricio Segura August 22, 2025
Photo: GBT Graphics
The Golden State Valkyries have crushed expectations in their inaugural WNBA season, selling out every game at Chase Center, affectionately dubbed “Ballhalla,” and earning a legitimate shot at a playoff berth. It is a feel-good debut that has turned heads across the league. But now there is a logistical snag that could send their historic first-ever home playoff games to a different venue. The Valkyries themselves have finally acknowledged the clash and are weighing their options.
The issue stems from a long-standing booking at Chase Center. Before the Valkyries were even conceived, the arena was secured to host the Laver Cup tennis tournament from September 19 to 21, including a public practice day on September 18. The WNBA playoffs begin around September 16 or 17, and under the league’s newer 1-1-1 format, the lower-seeded team hosts Game 2. For the Valkyries, who are more likely to land in that lower seed slot, it means their first postseason home game could fall right in the middle of Chase Center’s conversion into a tennis venue. The timing is no accident, and the practical challenge of transforming an arena from basketball to tennis and back again leaves little to no wiggle room.
The Valkyries’ front office at first sidestepped the questions, but recently issued a statement confirming the conflict and the possibility of relocating. They are considering alternate venues such as Oakland Arena, SAP Center in San Jose, or Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center. The hope is to preserve the team’s hard-earned home-court advantage while also ensuring season-ticket holders and local fans can still be part of the playoff experience. Still, the optics sting. Imagine a franchise that has spent an entire season building an identity around “Ballhalla” only to see its first playoff run uprooted by a pre-scheduled tennis showcase.
Unfortunately, this is not a first for the WNBA. The Los Angeles Sparks once lost a playoff date to the Emmy Awards. The Las Vegas Aces had to play at UNLV’s arena, and the Phoenix Mercury were forced to use Arizona State’s gym due to Disney on Ice. The Valkyries now join that frustrating list of teams overshadowed by competing bookings. It raises larger questions about how women’s sports are prioritized in facilities that host multiple events and franchises, and whether ownership influence is enough to prevent these situations from recurring.
The Valkyries’ playoff outlook remains fluid. If they land outside the top four, they will almost certainly host Game 2, the date most affected by the Laver Cup. If they somehow climb into a top-four seed, they would host Game 1 and potentially Game 3, but even that is in jeopardy depending on the setup schedule. A decision is expected within the next two weeks, and fans are waiting with nervous anticipation.
For a team that has redefined the atmosphere inside Chase Center, the thought of losing their home crowd advantage feels like a gut punch. Ballhalla has become more than a nickname; it is a living, breathing presence that has made Golden State’s games must-see events. To shift that energy to another city risks more than just inconvenience. It risks diluting what has made the Valkyries’ debut season so electric.
Still, there is a sense of optimism. If the Valkyries have proven anything, it is resilience. Their fan base has followed them with passion, and wherever the games are played, the noise and spirit will follow. Whether it is Oakland, San Jose, or Sacramento, Ballhalla can travel. The real question is whether the franchise can turn this off-court distraction into another rallying point, another reason to prove that the Valkyries are bigger than circumstance.
This is not just about scheduling conflicts. It is about respect, recognition, and momentum. The Valkyries have built something special in a short time. Now they face a test no less important than any on-court challenge: making sure their first playoff appearance is remembered for their play, not for being displaced.
