The Golden State Valkyries are having a banner inaugural season, with record-setting attendance at the Chase Center and sights firmly set on the playoffs. But their journey to postseason success may hit an unexpected roadblock: a scheduling overlap with the Laver Cup, a high-profile international tennis event, wich could displace the team’s home court advantage during a first round WNBA playoff series.
Laver Cup setup could push Valkyries out of their arena
The trouble stems from a prior booking at Chase Center for the Laver Cup, scheduled for September 19-21, with setup likely beginning immediately afterward. That timing conflicts directly with the WNBA’s first round playoff window, which could land the Valkyries’ Game 2 or even Game 1 outside the arena. As a lower seeded team, they’re slated to host Game 2, now jeopardized by venue preparation demands.
Although the team hopes to remain at Chase Center, logistical constraints loom large. They’ve begun exploring alternatives in San Jose, Oakland, or Sacramento (Sap Center, Oakland Arena, or Golden 1 Center) and reassured season ticket holders they are working to provide equivalent seating options if relocation becomes necessary.
A recurring issue for WNBA
Relocating playoff games due to venue conflicts is a recurring issue for the WNBA. In recent years, teams like the Sparks, Aces, and Mercury have all been forced to play critical home games at neutral sites fue to scheduling clashes with concerts or other events.
For the Valkyries, it’s a harsh twist in a breakout debut season, where they’ve not only set a new expansion team wins record but also created one of the most fervent home atmospheres in the league. Even with this success, the lack of guaranteed arena access underscores broader concerns about how leagues and venues prioritize WNBA team needs during critical postseason moments.
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