After a 3-week drought of home games, it’s time to celebrate Pride, Father’s Day, and Bay Area soccer at Bay FC’s upcoming home match on June 16 at 7:00 p.m. against Utah Royals FC. We’re turning PayPal Park into a party with something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re spending the day with family and friends or looking to watch some serious on-field action, wrap up your perfect Sunday with Bay FC. Here’s all the fun happening on June 16 at PayPal Park:
- 💪 Battle of the expansion teams: It’s time for the new kids on the block to square off. The two 2024 NWSL expansion teams will play each other for the first time. With plenty of young talent and new stars, the first match between Bay and Utah is sure to be an exciting contest.
- 🚗 Tailgate: It’s always a good idea to stop by the Tailgate Lot and mingle with other Bay FC fans, but there’s no better matchday to do it than this Sunday, where all supporter groups will have fun and free tailgates to partake in. The Big Poppies are hosting a Father’s Day tailgate extravaganza, where you can enjoy live DJs, including a father-son DJ duo, and purchase a Big Poppies scarf. Plus, Bridge Brigade and San Francisco Spikes will be hosting tailgates in celebration of Pride Night. Be sure to purchase parking in the Tailgate Lot in advance or walk on over after parking elsewhere, taking Lyft or public transit.
- ⚽️ San Francisco Spikes: SF Spikes, the second oldest LGBTQIA+ inclusive adult soccer club in the United States, is joining Bay FC to celebrate the intersection of Pride and sports. We’ll be recognizing Spikes for the important opportunities to play soccer and create community in safe spaces throughout the Bay Area. Stop by the Spirit Station in FanFest for special Spikes/Bay FC cheer cards and to learn more about their work.
- ✨ Top two draft picks face off: You already know Savy King was Bay FC’s first pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft. At just 19, she’s played in all 11 matches for Bay and notched an assist to her name. She’ll face Ally Sentnor, Utah’s first pick in the draft, for the first time professionally—but these two know each other well. They were college teammates at UNC, where they took the Tarheels to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament.
- 🆓 Giveaways: Everyone loves a free item, and we’ve got two for you to collect at Sunday’s match! The first 2,000 fans to enter the stadium will receive a special Pride Pin at the gate. Plus, be one of the first 3,000 fans to stop by Meriwest Credit Union’s booth in FanFest to receive a pride-themed Captain’s Armband to wear in the crowd or rep at your next rec soccer match.
- 🇺🇸 National Anthem: You won’t want to miss Sunday’s National Anthem, so arrive early! Members of the iconic San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus – the first openly gay chorus in the world – will wow us with their rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before kickoff.
- 🤗 Free Mom Hugs: During FanFest, community organization Free Mom Hugs will spread love and acceptance for the LGBTQIA+ community. Stop by their booth to learn more about their mission and share in the celebration of people from all backgrounds.
- 🛍️ Shop new merch in person: Bay FC just dropped new items in the Pride Collection, and your first chance to browse the new items in person is at PayPal Park on June 16. Plus, supporting Bay FC and repping the Pride collection also supports an important cause: 10% of net profit on Pride collection items will go to support LGBTQIA+ causes.
- 🏟️ FanFest: The best place to get hype for the match and enjoy the atmosphere with fellow fans is at FanFest, in the grassy area behind the Scoreboard Bar. Our emcee always brings the energy, and Sunday will bring all kinds of fun to the stage. Watch a drag performance by Cassie Brown, laugh at the Big Poppies Dad Jokes contest, and cheer for SF Spikes.
