By Beth Schnitzer—
Valkyries Keep Raising the Bar
If 2026 has proven anything, it’s that the Bay Area’s moment on the global sports stage isn’t ending anytime soon.
With a victory over the Dallas Wings at Chase Center, the Valkyries clinched their second consecutive WNBA playoff berth, and this time they did it with plenty of season still ahead. What a difference a year makes! After fighting for the final playoff spot during their historic inaugural season, the Valkyries became just the third team to clinch a postseason berth this year.
My favorite moment came just before halftime, when Tiffany Hayes launched a three-pointer from near the midcourt logo and—swish! The crowd erupted, and so did I watching from home. It felt like one of those moments that completely changed the energy heading into the second half.
Adding to the excitement was Stephen Curry cheering courtside alongside several of his Warriors teammates. Watching the celebration on television, you could feel the energy coming through the screen from another sellout crowd at Chase Center. Congratulations, Valkyries. Bring on the playoffs!
And then came another milestone. The very next morning, the WNBA announced that the Valkyries and the San Francisco Bay Area will host the 2027 WNBA All-Star Weekend, culminating with the All-Star Game at Chase Center on Saturday, July 31. It will mark the first time the WNBA’s premier midseason event has been held in the Bay Area. San Francisco was also recently awarded the 2028 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, bringing baseball’s Midsummer Classic back to Oracle Park for the first time since 2007.
From the Valkyries and WNBA All-Star Weekend to MLB’s biggest stars, the Bay Area’s sports calendar keeps getting bigger. And another global sport is already building its own California momentum: cricket.
Cricket’s California Moment
Last month, I promised I’d come back to cricket—and after Major League Cricket’s historic 2026 season, there’s plenty to talk about.
California played a starring role this year, with matches held at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum and the new Knight Riders Cricket Ground at Fairplex in Pomona, the future LA28 Olympic cricket venue.
The season culminated right here in the Bay Area, as the Los Angeles Knight Riders defeated Washington Freedom to capture their first Major League Cricket championship before a record crowd of nearly 11,000 fans at the Oakland Coliseum. It was a milestone season for Major League Cricket, filled with record-breaking performances and growing American talent. But what excites me most is seeing the sport continue to take hold here in the Bay Area.
San Ramon, in particular, has become a hotbed for cricket, reflecting the sport’s growing popularity throughout the region. This November, fans will have another opportunity to experience the game and see some of its up-and-coming talent at a major cricket tournament in San Ramon.
And the momentum is only building. When the Games arrive in California in 2028, cricket will return to the Olympic stage for the first time in 128 years, having last appeared at Paris 1900. I’ve already secured tickets to the women’s cricket bronze medal match at LA28, so I’m excited to see this historic Olympic return firsthand.
From a championship at the Oakland Coliseum to grassroots growth in San Ramon and an Olympic future taking shape in Southern California, cricket is clearly having a Golden State moment.
Elegance Takes Center Stage at Pebble Beach
From cricket’s Golden State moment, my sports journey took a decidedly more elegant turn this month.
For the second consecutive year, I attended the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and this year was particularly special as the legendary event celebrated its 75th anniversary. With my sister visiting from Madison, Wisconsin, we headed down to Monterey for an unforgettable day.
There really is nothing quite like the Concours. Set against the spectacular backdrop of Pebble Beach Golf Links, it sits at the intersection of sport, automotive history, art, design and luxury culture, bringing together remarkable cars and enthusiasts from across the globe.
With wildfires burning near Big Sur, we weren’t sure what to expect, but, thankfully, the smoke didn’t impact the air quality. Instead, we were greeted by a cool, foggy Pebble Beach morning that somehow made the entire setting feel even more dramatic.
We arrived early and immediately found ourselves immersed in a fascinating mix of past, present, and future. Futuristic concept cars offered a glimpse of what may be coming next, while some of the world’s rarest collector cars were close enough to admire every detail. We passed the very exclusive Ferrari House, where we saw an impressive car collection. Many of the major automobile sponsors create their own “houses” to entertain clients and VIP guests.
And then there was the fashion! From the moment we stepped off the shuttle, it felt a little like the Kentucky Derby had arrived at Pebble Beach. Men sported beautiful blazers and hats, while women wore elegant dresses, fascinators, and fabulous hats. With sleek vehicles everywhere we turned, the entire experience was a celebration of artistry, craftsmanship, and style.
We watched collector cars being auctioned for millions of dollars before making our way to the famed 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links. Champagne in hand, we watched the procession of extraordinary automobiles from around the world.
This is serious competition. An international team of expert judges evaluates these automobiles for their elegance, technical merit, authenticity, and history. The audience was equally impressive. We heard languages from every direction and met fellow attendees from Norway and Italy. It truly felt like a gathering without borders.
The Diamond Jubilee concluded with a 1935 Duesenberg SSJ Special Speedster, once owned by Hollywood legend Clark Gable and presented by Harry Yeaggy, earning the ultimate honor: Best of Show. The event’s rich heritage was also reflected in the official 75th anniversary poster collection. For the first time, one of the three commemorative works honored the Pebble Beach Road Races, which began in 1950 and ultimately gave rise to the Concours itself—a wonderful reminder of its sporting roots.
And there’s plenty more ahead at Pebble Beach. The Concours d’Elegance will return August 15, 2027, while, next June, the world’s best golfers will take to these same legendary grounds when Pebble Beach Golf Links will host the 2027 U.S. Open Championship.
From priceless automobiles on the 18th fairway to championship golf on one of the world’s most iconic courses, Pebble Beach remains in a class all its own.
World-Class Squash Returns to Silicon Valley
And from one iconic California sporting destination to another sport with its sights set on the future, the global spotlight turns next to Silicon Valley.
The 2026 Silicon Valley Open Squash Championships will return to Squash Zone in Redwood City October 20–24, bringing some of the world’s top men’s and women’s players—and future Olympians—to the Bay Area. The Gold-level Professional Squash Association World Tour event offers $260,000 in equal player compensation and continues the tradition of the groundbreaking Oracle NetSuite Open, which brought world-class squash to San Francisco from 2013 to 2022.
And, this year, there’s another reason to pay attention.
For the first time in the sport’s more than 200-year history, squash is headed to the Olympic Games. The sport will make its Olympic debut at LA28, with 32 athletes competing July 15–24 at Universal Studios, against the unforgettable backdrop of the iconic Courthouse Square made famous by Back to the Future.
After watching cricket build momentum toward its Olympic return earlier in this column, it seems fitting to close with another international sport whose Olympic story is just beginning. Bay Area fans will have the opportunity to see some of the players who could be part of that history right here in Redwood City. Squash is also high on my LA28 wish list, and I plan to try for tickets in an upcoming Olympic ticket drop.
The road to LA28 is getting more exciting by the day! Signing off from the Bay, where passion meets the play.
Beth Schnitzer, is the Co-Founder and President of Spritz and the former President of WISE (Women in Sports and Events).
Beth’s Bay Area Sports Beat
Published on August 27, 2026
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