Welcome to the Bay: Bay Area Sports Overview
California’s Bay Area is home to 7.7 million people, a widespread group of people with many interests. You see fans exiting a Golden State Warriors basketball game at the Chase Center in San Francisco to enter a San Jose Broadway, waiting to see “Mamma Mia” on stage. But keeping it on the path of sports, the Bay Area has one of the biggest fandoms of local sports teams. There are fandoms for every major league sport in the area, from hockey to football. Look at the NFC Championship game, for example, between the 49ers and the Lions back in January. It had accumulated thousands upon thousands of Niners fans in the stadium or at home cheering them on.
You can choose which sports you like or teams to support in the Bay Area. The San Jose Sharks, the local NHL hockey team, play their home games at the SAP Center in Downtown San Jose. While they have never won a Stanley Cup, they advanced to the finals in 2016, but ultimately lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Perhaps you feel more at home at PayPal Park, which is home to the MLS team, the San Jose Earthquakes. Our Earthquakes won two MLS Championships in 2001 and 2003, but this season, they had played one game in the playoffs before losing in penalties. Maybe basketball is more your speed and you love to watch Steph Curry shoot 3s at their home stadium in Chase Center. Our very own Golden State Warriors have many titles in the NBA, including their five NBA Championship wins within the last ten years.
Personally, I love finding comfort in the San Jose Earthquakes, who gave me joy, friendships, and memories for a lifetime. I know many people who find joy in the 49ers, our NFL team at Levi’s Stadium, who bring the best entertainment and skill to hundreds of thousands of fans. Whatever you prefer, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
