|  

Article

  |  

Bay FC Staff

The Official Bay FC Matchday Guide 

A step-by-step guide to enjoying a NWSL matchday at PayPal Park 

Heading to a Bay FC match? A little planning goes a long way. This guide outlines the full matchday experience, helping fans spend less time figuring things out and more time enjoying the match. 

Pre-Match | Transportation | Merch | FanFest | Food | Players and Stadium | Tickets | Insider Tips

Step 1: Get Set Before You Go 

Before leaving home, take a moment to prep your Bay FC matchday essentials. 

Download the Official Bay FC App, your go-to tool for tickets, transfers and real-time updates. PayPal Park is a mobile-only entry stadium, so be sure to add your tickets to your Apple or Google Wallet before arriving for the fastest entry. At the gates, present your ticket directly from the app or digital wallet. Screenshots will not scan, so keep it live and ready. 

To get more out of the Bay FC app, enable push notifications for real-time updates on traffic alerts, matchday announcements and exclusive in-stadium offers. 

A few important reminders before arrival: PayPal Park enforces a clear bag policy to ensure a smooth entry. Approved bags include clear backpacks, fanny packs, purses and other clear bags no larger than 12” x 12” x 6”, as well as one-gallon clear plastic zip-top bags. Small clutch bags or non-clear fanny packs are also permitted, but must not exceed 4.5” x 6.5”. 

Step 2: Plan Your Transportation 

Getting to PayPal Park is easy when you know your options. 

Arrive by Car:  
PayPal Park is located at 1125 Coleman Ave in San Jose. If traveling on U.S. 101, take the De La Cruz Blvd exit and take a right turn into the official parking areas and avoid heavy traffic. All parking is cashless and accepts credit, debit or mobile payment only. Parking passes can be pre‑purchased in advance.  

Parking Structures (Tiered Pricing) 

The following parking options offer tiered pricing depending on when you purchase: 

Parking Location Season Parking Day of Game Advance Purchase
Parking Structure 1 (PS1) $40 $55 $53 
Parking Structure 2 (PS2) $28 $36 $34 
Parking Structure 4 (PS4) $21 $30 $28 
Ford Tailgate Lot $23 $30 $28 

Audi Lot & ADA Parking (Flat Pricing) 

The Audi Lot / ADA Lot does not follow tiered pricing. 

  • $30 when purchased day of game 
  • $28 with advance purchase

Parking can be purchased on-site on matchday with a parking attendant as you enter the lot, in advance online through Tixr for single matches or as a season-long parking pass for fans attending multiple matches throughout the year. 

More Parking Info

Arrive by BART: 
Take the Orange or Green line to Berryessa/North San Jose BART Station, then catch the free matchday shuttle to PayPal Park. Shuttles run roughly two hours before kickoff until kickoff, and return service begins shortly after the end of the match and continues for about an hour. Check the BART schedule to plan your trip.  

More BART Info

Arrive by Caltrain: 
Ride the Caltrain to the Santa Clara Station, then walk about 15–20 minutes to PayPal Park. Or, take the VTA Bus Route 60 northbound to the Coleman & Earthquakes Way stop. More Caltrain info.

More Caltrain Info

Arrive by Rideshare: 
Lyft is the official rideshare partner of Bay FC, with a designated drop‑off and pick‑up spot on Aviation Avenue near the stadium.  

Note: Fans who purchase a ticket will receive a Lyft ride discount code for every home match. Keep an eye out for the Know Before You Go email prior to the match.  

More Rideshare Info 

Arrive by Bike: 
Biking is also a reliable way to get to PayPal Park. Bike parking is available near the Main Gate at Earthquakes Way and Champions Way. Bikes are also allowed on BART and Caltrain.  

More Bike Info

Step 5: Outfit Yourself  

No match day is complete without the right colors. Show everyone who you’re backing by sporting the latest Bay FC gear. 

  • Make it personal: Order a customizable jersey with your own name and number, or represent your favorite player to show them some love from the stands. 
  • The classic look: Pick up a Bay FC scarf, the most iconic accessory in the game. 

Prep your outfit by ordering online at shop.bayfc.com.  

Want to browse merch in person? Head to PayPal Park early and check out the merch stands near Sections 113, 122 and 129, as well as both ends of FanFest. 

Note: Some of our most anticipated collections drop exclusively at the stadium. To ensure you never miss a release, sign up to become a Bay FC Insider for real-time updates on merch drops throughout the season. 

Step 4: Start at Fanfest 

At Bay FC, matchday is about more than the full 90 minutes on the pitch. It’s about the community we build off of it. Make the most of your afternoon by arriving at FanFest 90 minutes before Bay FC kickoff (located at the grassy plaza behind the Scoreboard Bar). This is the Bay Area community’s backyard and the perfect place to settle in and celebrate the Bay with fellow fans. 

Located inside PayPal Park, FanFest serves as a hub for everything that makes our region unique. We take pride in showcasing the talent within our own community, which is why you’ll find: 

  • Live sets from local DJs and performances by grassroots artists and cultural groups. 
  • Interactive activations and exclusive giveaways from local organizations that support and empower our neighborhood. 
  • Fun for all generations with youth soccer drills, creative craft stations and other activities designed for fans of all ages to have fun.  

Throughout the season, we host special Theme Nights where FanFest truly transforms. During these matches, expect full-scale community takeovers, featuring expanded immersive activities for fans, special guest appearances and celebrations that honor the diverse cultures and groups that make up the Bay Area.  

Step 5: Eat Like You’re in the Bay 

We want every fan to have a world-class matchday experience, which is why PayPal Park offers a wide range of menu items. For a taste of the local scene, head to FanFest and explore a rotating lineup of the Bay Area’s best food trucks. 

We know every fan has a different palate. Every match will feature a different selection of local food trucks from Fresh Catch Poke and BBQ Kalbi to The Waffle Roost or Luv’s Brownies. 

Note: Visit a true stadium landmark. Fans 21+ can enjoy a drink at The Scoreboard Bar, North America’s largest outdoor bar, located right in the heart of Bay FC matchday at PayPal Park.  

Step 8: Settle In for Kickoff 

The match begins and all eyes are on the pitch.  

Raise Your Voice 

A Bay FC match is known for its atmosphere. To help drive the home-field advantage, visit BFCChants.com and learn Bay FC’s signature anthems. Every voice counts! 

For those who want to be in the center of the action, the Supporter Section is the place to be. Located in sections 117-118, this standing-room-only area is the engine of PayPal Park. Join our most passionate fans as they lead the drumline, wave the flags and keep the energy buzzing for all 90 minutes. 

NWSL Players to Watch 

Get to know the players representing the Bay this 2026 NWL season. 

  • Racheal Kundananji (Forward): Kundananji was the first African player (male or female) in history to break the world transfer record. 
  • Abby Dahlkemper (Defender): Dahlkemper is a World Cup Champion and defensive anchor with over 80 appearances for the USWNT. 
  • Taylor Huff (Midfielder): Huff was ranked 1st among all NWSL rookies in 2025 for chances created (30) and duels won (116). 
  • Jordan Silkowitz (Goalkeeper): Silkowitz was the first player in Iowa State history to be drafted into the NWSL; earned her first senior USWNT call-up in 2025 

View the full Bay FC roster online to see player bios, stats and recent news for every athlete.  

Step 9. Start planning your next match 

Once you’ve experienced Bay FC matchday, it’s hard not to think about when you’re coming back. Good news: there are plenty of ways to make your next match even better. 

Bring a bigger group with Group Tickets. 
Group tickets are a great option if you’re coming with friends, coworkers, youth teams or any group that’s better together. Sitting as a group keeps everyone in the same section and amplifies the matchday experience. Group tickets are available for future matches and make it easy to turn one night at PayPal Park into a shared tradition. 

Explore Bay FC Group Tickets  

Explore Suites for a premium matchday experience. 
If you’re looking for a more elevated way to watch, suites offer added space, comfort and some of the closest views of the pitch. Suite options give the best perspective on matchday while adding room to relax without losing any of the intensity.  

Explore Bay FC Suites

Lock in more matches with Mini Plans. 
Mini plans make it easy to come back for multiple matches without committing to a full season. Each mini plan includes a curated set of Bay FC matches, grouped together to highlight key moments of the season. You can choose the plan that aligns with the weekends that work for you, and you’ll enjoy the same seat for every match included in your plan. 

Explore Bay FC Mini Plans 

Insider Knowledge 

The Bay isn’t known for predictable weather. Temperatures can drop quickly after sunset, so plan for flexibility. The team store has windbreakers ready if you need a last-minute upgrade. 

Hang in your seat after the final whistle. Players often take a lap to thank supporters, and fans near the field can grab photos and post-match moments before exiting. 

Plans change and it’s no problem. Tickets can be transferred directly in the Bay FC app, making it easy to send your seat to a friend so they can step into the full Bay FC matchday experience. Learn how to transfer tickets.