SAN FRANCISCO (Aug. 20, 2026) – This Sunday, August 23, Bay FC will celebrate the rich history, culture, leadership, and community impact of Black organizations and storied individuals across the Bay Area and beyond as part of its Black Heritage Match. Alongside the club’s contest vs. the Houston Dash at PayPal Park, an elevated pre-match FanFest featuring local community partners, performances and more special-themed activities will kick off when gates open to the public at 1 p.m. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. PT, and tickets remain available at BayFC.com/tickets.
Black Heritage Celebrations include:
- Pre-kick Song: Oakland-born Grammy-winning soul, jazz, and R&B vocalist, songwriter, and educator Pher will perform Lift Every Voice and Sing prior to kickoff as the club takes the pitch.
- Halftime Performance: Members of the Emmanuel Gospel Church of San Jose will perform at halftime.
- Item of the Match Merchandise Donation: 100% of proceeds from the club’s Black Heritage Tee, designed by local artist Yonas Tesfai, will benefit Hella Creative, a Bay Area Collective of Black artists, designers, and entrepreneurs whose mission centers on intersecting art, culture, and social change, empowering minority creatives, and building spaces that turn bold community visions into cultural impact.
- FanFest Engagement:
- Justice Vanguard: Founded in 2020 by Kenan Moos and Kiyoshi Taylor, Justice Vanguard strives build momentum and create lasting change in the community and will have a table at Bay FC’s pre-match Fanfest. Today, the organization runs education programs at a variety of middle and high schools throughout Northern California addressing systemic racism, bias, and representation.
- The Divine Nine: Formally the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), the Divine Nine is a collection of historically African American Fraternities and Sororities and will also have a table at Bay FC’s FanFest. Founded in 1930 at Howard University, NPHC supports collaborative programming, community engagement, advocacy initiatives, and partnerships that uplift communities across the United States and abroad. Guided by unity and purpose, NPHC remains committed to strengthening lives, honoring our legacy, and empowering future generations.
Other matchday activations, activities and partner experiences throughout the stadium will also be available, including:
- National Anthem – SFBATCO: Performers from the San Francisco Bay Area theater company will perform The Star-Spangled Banner ahead of kickoff, closing pre-match festivities and getting the action on the pitch underway.
- Bay FC x BAWSI: At halftime, the club will also celebrate midfielder Hannah Bebar, the club’s nominee for the 2026 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, and the incredible community work of the Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative (BAWSI) in a special halftime ceremony. Fans who show proof of voting for Hannah in the NWSL Fan Impact Challenge can earn a 10% discount at all in-stadium merchandise locations. Fans can vote once per device for day through August 29.
- Partner Activations:
- Show off your skills at soccer darts and earn giveaways like new poppy themed socks and other items, presented by Sutter Health.
- Take a shot at the all-new Meriwest inflatable goal in FanFest to win cobranded stress balls and other giveaways, presented by Meriwest Credit Union.
- Accuracy meets strategy at Tic Tap Toe—line up your kick, make your move, and tap it in, presented by Visa.
- Check out a special Bay FC-branded pickup truck, courtesy of Bay Area Chevrolet Dealers, at the Bay FC x Bay Area Chevrolet Spirit Station
