Golden State Valkyries Face Playoff Venue Conflict Amid Laver Cup Scheduling Clash

Despite an electric debut season and a promising playoff run ahead, the Golden State Valkyries may find themselves without a home court during one of the most critical stretches of the WNBA season.

The reason? A scheduling conflict with the Laver Cup, an international men’s tennis tournament set to take over Chase Center from September 19–21—right in the middle of the WNBA postseason.

This development has sparked concern and frustration among fans and players alike, as the Valkyries—currently sitting in a strong playoff position—may be forced to relocate potential home playoff games to an alternate venue.

“This team has done everything right,” one Valkyries season-ticket holder said. “They’ve packed the arena, built a fanbase, and put a winning product on the floor—and now they might not even get to play a home playoff game?”

Sources within the organization have confirmed that contingency planning is underway, with team officials exploring possible venues in the Bay Area, including Oakland Arena and San Jose’s SAP Center. However, no final decision has been announced, and it’s unclear how such a move would impact both team logistics and fan attendance.

The conflict has reignited broader conversations about the level of priority given to WNBA teams in shared venues—especially when compared to men’s sports and global events.

“This isn’t just about tennis vs. basketball,” said a WNBA executive familiar with the situation. “It’s about how we prioritize women’s sports. The Valkyries deserve to host playoff games in their home arena, period.”

The Valkyries, who joined the league this season as the WNBA’s first expansion team since 2008, have enjoyed remarkable early success—both on the court and at the box office. Home games at Chase Center have consistently drawn large, energetic crowds, helping to set a new standard for fan engagement in the league.

Team captain Chelsea Gray responded diplomatically when asked about the situation.

“We’re focused on basketball and getting to the playoffs,” she said. “But of course, we’d love to play in front of our fans at Chase. That’s our home.”

The timing of the Laver Cup was announced well in advance, but the Valkyries’ postseason status only became clear in recent weeks as they climbed the standings. Some critics argue that the conflict underscores a systemic problem: WNBA teams being considered secondary tenants in their own arenas.

“If this were an NBA playoff team, would they be asked to move?” one former player commented on social media. “It’s 2025. We have to do better than this.”

With just a few weeks remaining in the regular season, the Valkyries remain focused on clinching a top seed. Still, the uncertainty surrounding their potential playoff venue serves as a stark reminder: success on the court doesn’t always guarantee respect off it.