In photos: How Ballhalla willed the Golden State Valkyries to a WNBA title

Golden State Valkyries players lift the WNBA championship trophy after winning Game 7 at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 31, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) From day one, the Golden State Valkyries' home court at Chase Center quickly garnered a reputation for its raucous and supportive crowds that sold out the arena night after night. Soon, people compared it to "Roaracle," the charged atmosphere inside Oakland Arena that hosted the Golden State Warriors before they moved across the bay to San Francisco. Valkyries fans came up with a fitting nickname as well: Ballhalla."A lot of times in my head I'm like we got to do it for them," said Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes. "They're always here with us, like no matter we win, or we lose, we were getting that energy from them a lot."But although the analogy holds some truth, over the first two seasons of the team's existence, the Valkyries' home court has come to mean much more to many of their fans than just supporting a basketball team. Golden State Valkyries fans celebrate at the final whistle of Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 31, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Fans wave rally flags during Game 7 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 31, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Valkyries fans react to a score late in the fourth quarter during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 17, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) It became a venue to support women and LGBTQ rights, often under attack these days in the United States."I've said it multiple times that Ballhalla became my safe space," said Golden State Valkyries star Gabby Williams in an end-of-season exit interview where she noted that she received death threats for her support of transgender rights.More Valkyries- Valkyries MVP celebrates in the most low-key way imaginable- Details announced for Valkyries' WNBA championship parade- Amid tension of Game 7, Kaitlyn Chen wears hot dog costume- Protesters showed up at the WNBA Finals. Valkyries fans shut them down.Full Valkyries coverageFor all of our Bay Area sports coverage, sign up for The Catch newsletter.One of the rallying cries for fans happened after the Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream on Pride Night on June 26. Williams found a camera on the court and yelled: "For the gays!"Many Valkyries fans, including a sizable queer presence, felt connected to the team that represented and brought joy to the San Francisco Bay Area."This world is just a mess," Valkyries season ticket holder Cheryl Espinosa-Jones explained to SFGATE. "Joy is revolutionary." Valkyries fan Mcyb dances and holds a T-shirt during halftime of a viewing party at Thrive City outside Chase Center in San Francisco for Game 6 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream on Oct. 29, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Robin Yang has her violet shoes signed by Valkyries fans in Thrive City before Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 17, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) (Left to right) Sandra Emberland and Cynthia Cheek pose for a photo during Game 2 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 19, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) The joy was never more evident than during the Valkyries' historic run to the WNBA Finals, where they defeated the Atlanta Dream in seven games. The support and love shared between fans and the team, even a standing ovation from the fans after losing Game 2, seemed to will the club to victory."There were moments when I was like, ‘How am I going to play through all of this?' And then I would walk into Ballhalla and be like, ‘That's how,'" Williams explained. "I just want to thank our fanbase for being themselves because it allowed me to be myself. That's huge. This is what the Bay Area is all about." T-shirts for fans are draped on every seat before Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 17, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) A DJ performs in Thrive City before Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 17, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Valkyries fan Jonah Lu-Chang holds a sign before Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 17, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Trish Powell reacts to a face painting received from Bridget Star Harrison before Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 17, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Kiah Stokes of the Valkyries and Angel Reese of the Dream fight for the ball during the tipoff of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 17, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Valkyries fans wave rally flags during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 17, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Valkyries fan Stacey Camillo receives a thumbs-up for her outfit while having her photo taken during halftime of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 17, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Valkyries fans hold up a V salute during Valkyries free throws during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 17, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Valkyries fans cheer during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 17, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) (Left to right) Jonathan and Josephine Benavides share a laugh after the Valkyries won Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 17, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase talks to the media before Game 2 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 19, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Golden State Valkyries assistant coach Kasib Powell talks with Valkyries center Aminata Gueye before Game 2 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 19, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) An early-arriving fan watches players warm up surrounded by seats covered by "This Is Ballhalla" giveaway T-shirts before Game 2 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 19, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Valkyries fans cheer during Game 2 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 19, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) A Valkyries fan holds a handmade sign during Game 2 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 19, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Valkyries forward Kaila Charles dribbles the ball while Valkyries owner Joe Lacob and rappers Too Short and Mistah Fab watch the action during Game 2 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 19, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Valkyries fans cheer between the third and fourth quarters during Game 2 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 19, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Valkyries fans cheer during Game 2 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 19, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Alyssa Bibiano Quejada feeds Skyler during a watch party at Chase Center in San Francisco for Game 3 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream on Oct. 21, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Fans line up to take a photograph with Violet, the Valkyries mascot, during a watch party at Chase Center in San Francisco for Game 3 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream on Oct. 21, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Valkyries fans have rally flags during Game 5 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 26, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Tiffany Hayes of the Golden State Valkyries goes for a layup over the defense of Angel Reese of Atlanta during Game 5 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 26, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) A Valkyries fan reacts to a made 3-point basket during Game 5 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 26, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Valkyries fans hold up cellphones during Game 5 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 26, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Valkyries fans reach for confetti dropped from the ceiling after the Valkyries won Game 5 of the WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 26, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Sammy G. cheers during a viewing party at Thrive City outside Chase Center in San Francisco for Game 6 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream on Oct. 29, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) (Left to right) Kristin Rothballer and Margot Biehle pass a basketball back and forth during a viewing party at Thrive City outside Chase Center in San Francisco for Game 6 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream on Oct. 29, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Shelley Gallivan dresses up as Violet during Game 7 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 31, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Bellamy Nguyen, 4, is outfitted in a Halloween basket costume while attending Game 7 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 31, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Golden State Valkyries fans wave thunder sticks to attempt to distract Naz Hillmon of the Atlanta Dream during Game 7 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 31, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Kaila Charles of the Golden State Valkyries goes up for a shot in the first quarter during Game 7 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 31, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Gabby Williams of the Golden State Valkyries takes a 3-point shot during Game 7 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 31, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Golden State Valkyries fans celebrate a made basket during Game 7 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 31, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) A fan holds a "Believe" sign during Game 7 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 31, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) A Golden State Valkyries fan makes a heart sign out of her hands during the trophy presentation ceremony after Game 7 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 31, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Gabby Williams of the Golden State Valkyries raises the MVP trophy after Game 7 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 31, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) Amie Schow, dressed up in a hot dog costume, dances with other fans in Thrive City after Game 7 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 31, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) A fan holds a sign in Thrive City after Game 7 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 31, 2026. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE) This article originally published at In photos: How Ballhalla willed the Golden State Valkyries to a WNBA title.