Your Guide to Women’s Sports in San Jose
San Jose has a rich history of excellence in women’s sports. From professional franchises to famous Olympians, and a long legacy of hosting championship events, San Jose is a city where women’s sports have made history, raised ceilings and continues to inspire the next generation of athletes.
Whether you're interested in the history of the teams that paved the way, the athletes who put San Jose on the map, or catching a game in person, the city is a must visit destination for anyone looking to take in professional women’s sports being played at the highest level.
Here's a look at the teams, milestones and moments that have helped shape the city's women's sports scene.
Bay FC
Established in 2023, Bay FC became the Bay Area's first National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) franchise, making its debut in 2024. Co-founded by U.S. Women's National Team legends Brandi Chastain, Aly Wagner, Danielle Slaton, and Leslie Osborne, Bay FC is building on San Jose’s rich soccer history while inspiring the next generation of female athletes.
Playing home matches directly across the street from the San Jose Mineta International Airport at PayPal Park, the team has quickly built a loyal and passionate fan base, making game day an exciting experience for locals and visitors alike. Whether you're a longtime soccer fan or just looking to experience the energy of a live match, catching a Bay FC game is a must when visiting San Jose. Learn more about Bay FC at https://bayfc.com/
Golden State Valkyries
The Golden State Valkyries made history in 2026, winning its first-ever Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Championship and becoming the quickest expansion franchise to win a title in all of major North American sports. With so much success in a short span, San Jose has played a special part in the Valkyries story.
In the franchise’s inaugural season in 2025, the Valkyries hosted its first-ever home playoff game at the SAP Center, bringing the excitement of Ballhalla from San Francisco to downtown San Jose. Today, violet Valkyries t-shirts and jerseys can still be seen all over San Jose, with frequent watch parties taking place at Spark Social, Jack’s Bar, San Pedro Square and Rookie’s Sports Lodge.
Become a part of Ballhalla in San Jose and learn more about the Valkyries ascendant rise to becoming champions at https://valkyries.wnba.com/
PWHL San Jose
San Jose has long been a hockey city dating back to the arrival of the National Hockey League’s San Jose Sharks in 1991. With the Sharks and the American Hockey League’s San Jose Barracuda playing in the city, a new chapter of hockey in San Jose has just begun.
Announced in May 2026, PWHL San Jose is the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s first California franchise, bringing professional women's hockey out west and adding another professional sports team to the city’s already thriving hockey community. Sporting a bold orange, blue, and white color palette inspired by the city's identity, PWHL San Jose is giving fans a new opportunity to watch the world's best women's hockey players. With the team’s inaugural season beginning in December 2026, the PWHL San Jose franchise is another exciting reason to plan a trip to San Jose and experience professional women’s sports.
Check out the PWHL schedule and grab your tickets at https://www.thepwhl.com/en/teams/san-jose/tickets
NorCal Rumble
The NorCal Rumble is the newest member of Major League Volleyball. Established in 2026, fans can now watch pro women’s volleyball at Tech CU Arena in San Jose, giving fans and visitors to San Jose another opportunity to experience the joy of women’s professional sports.
Inspired by the power and beauty of the Pacific, towering redwoods and rugged Sierra landscapes, the Rumble’s name captures the unique energy of Northern California. The franchise’s branding is a nod to the natural forces that shape the region and the powerful force that is brought to the volleyball court.
Whether you're a young volleyball player or looking to discover a new sport to watch, catching a NorCal Rumble match is another great way to experience women’s sports in San Jose.
Don’t miss out on the Rumble’s inaugural season! Get your season tickets here: https://mlvb.com/norcal-tickets
Famous Women’s Athletes from San Jose
San Jose is a city where inspiration can turn into achievement. With opportunities to watch professional women’s sports such as soccer, basketball, hockey, and volleyball all in one place year-round, young female athletes can see firsthand what’s possible when passion and dedication meet opportunity.
From the soccer field to the pool and the court, the city has produced a wide array of world-class women’s athletes.
Here’s a list of women’s professional sports stars who hail from San Jose.
- Kerri Walsh-Jennings: Three-time Olympic gold medal winner in beach volleyball who attended high school in San Jose at Archbishop Mitty. Founding owner of the NorCal Rumble.
- Brandi Chastain: San Jose native, World Cup soccer player and Olympian, who scored an iconic game-winning penalty kick in the 1999 Women’s World Cup, which set the stage for USA women’s soccer success in future years. Current owner of Bay FC.
- Aly Wagner: San Jose Sports Hall of Famer, two-time Olympic gold medalist with Team USA women’s soccer, and co-founder of Bay FC.
- Danielle Slaton: Soccer star born in San Jose and graduate of Presentation High School, U.S. Women's National Team player, Olympic silver medalist and co-founder of Bay FC.
- Amy Chow: San Jose native and Olympic gold medalist gymnast who competed in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games (part of the "Magnificent Seven").
- Annie and Kerry Xu: Sisters from San Jose who represented Team USA badminton in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- Haley Jones: Professional women’s basketball player in the WNBA who attended Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose. She has played for the Atlanta Dream, Phoenix Mercury, Dallas Wings and Portland Fire.
- Jenna Flynn: Olympic women’s water polo player and San Jose native who attended Leland High School. Member of the 2024 Paris Olympic team and two-time NCAA National Champion at Stanford University.
Major Events and Women's Sports History
Aside from the major women’s sports teams, San Jose has been a backdrop for some of the biggest moments in women's sports, welcoming championship events and world-class athletes from across the country and around the globe.
Listed below is a timeline of San Jose’s amazing history of hosting women’s sports.
- 1996 - 1998: San Jose Lasers professional women’s basketball takes the court at San Jose Arena (now SAP Center)
- 1996, 2012, 2018 & 2023: U.S. Figure Skating Championships at SAP Center
- 1999: NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four at San Jose Arena (now SAP Center)
- 1999 & 2000: NCAA Women’s College Cup hosted by San Jose State at Spartan Stadium
- 2000 - 2003: San Jose Cyber Rays women’s professional soccer takes the pitch at Spartan Stadium
- 2003 - 2008: Pac-10 Women’s College Basketball Tournament
- 2012 & 2016: U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Olympic Trials
- 2016 & 2019: NCAA Women’s College Cup at Avaya Stadium (now PayPal Park)
- 2023: USA Women’s Gymnastics Championships
- 2025: Golden State Valkyries First-Ever Playoff Game (at SAP Center)
- 2025: NWSL Championship at PayPal Park
