By Beth Schnitzer –
Last month, I wrote about spring momentum—how the Bay Area’s sports scene was building energy across leagues, venues, and communities. This month, that momentum feels real. I’ve experienced it firsthand—from a sun-soaked evening at the ballpark to navigating Olympic ticketing, and from meaningful moments in soccer’s past to the impact sports continue to make beyond the field.
Ballpark Energy: 25 Years In—and Still Reinventing the Experience
One of my favorite ways to kick off the season came, not just with baseball, but with a celebration. I was invited to join a dear friend’s 60th birthday at Oracle Park, where she gathered 25 of her closest friends for a night that felt equal parts ballgame and private party.
We had club level seats with access to a tucked-away outdoor deck—an intimate, semi-private space that made the evening feel incredibly special without being a full suite. And, in a generous touch, each guest received a $25 food and beverage credit—so, yes, the Giants peanuts and ballpark favorites were very much enjoyed. A few of us even showed up in personalized jerseys—mine a Schnitzer #17—adding to the festive, anything-but-ordinary feel of the night.
What struck me immediately, though, was how fresh everything felt. Entering from King Street, the upgraded LED lighting and new bar areas gave the ballpark an instant jolt of energy. As I made my way up the escalator, it was clear: even 25 years in, Oracle Park is continuing to evolve.
I found myself lingering in the club level far longer than expected—especially at the memorabilia exhibit, where I could have easily spent an entire afternoon. The 1951 display, marking the 75th anniversary of Willie Mays’ rookie year and “The Shot Heard ’Round the World,” was a standout, as was Global Gigantes, celebrating the team’s legacy in Latin America—Vamos Gigantes.
It was also a night of subtle change. Like many longtime fans, I noticed the absence of longtime announcer Renel Brooks-Moon’s familiar voice, adjusting instead to a new sound of the game.
The Giants topped the New York Mets on a picture-perfect San Francisco evening, but what stayed with me most was the atmosphere. Even with the stands only about half full, our little corner of the ballpark was buzzing with its own energy—proof that sometimes it’s not just about the crowd size, but the experience you create within it. Twenty-five years later, Oracle Park still delivers—and, in many ways, it’s just getting started.
LA28: Excitement Meets a Reality Check
I was thrilled when my ticket lottery slot opened for LA28—mine was a Saturday morning, and I came prepared. Days in advance, I had multiple tabs open with detailed venue maps, session schedules, and sport-by-sport breakdowns. The planning tools were impressive—clear, comprehensive, and thoughtfully organized.
But the experience quickly shifted.
After logging in, I was stuck in a queue, hit with repeated error messages, and couldn’t access my account on my computer—only my phone. I later heard similar stories from friends and fellow fans—multiple lockouts and repeated attempts just to get in.
When I finally entered the ticket portal, the bigger surprise came: availability. Many of the most popular events—gymnastics, swimming, basketball, beach volleyball—were either unavailable or only offered at premium price points. While LA28 has promoted accessibility, the reality in this first drop felt very different.
I ultimately focused on track and field (Athletics)—reliving one of my favorite experiences from Paris—and secured tickets to several medal sessions. But even those came at a steep cost, with service fees approaching 25% of the ticket price. Others shared similar sticker shock, with limited lower-tier inventory available during initial access windows.
There were bright spots. Venue “zones” were smartly designed, grouping nearby events to help plan my days. And I’m hopeful future ticket releases will open up more inventory—especially for newer sports like squash, which have yet to be fully released.
When I purchased tickets for Paris, I was able to build out my itinerary over time, buying in batches across multiple ticket drops. I’m hopeful that will be the case again for LA28, giving fans more opportunities to access a broader range of events. Still, for an event built on global unity and accessibility, the first fan-facing experience leaves room for improvement.
From ’94 to 2026: Soccer’s Legacy Comes Full Circle
As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup builds, one upcoming event feels especially meaningful—America SCORES’ Soccer Legacy Gala, a celebration of the sport’s past, present, and future.
For me, this one hit especially close to home. I had the opportunity to work on the LA Organizing Committee for the 1994 World Cup—an experience that didn’t just change soccer in this country, but also
changed the trajectory of my own career. Thirty years later, it remains one of the most formative and meaningful chapters of my professional life—one I will always treasure. It also brought me to the West Coast from New York, where the Bay Area has been home ever since. That tournament didn’t just elevate soccer in the U.S.—it sparked a movement.
This gala brings that story full circle, reuniting members of the 1994 U.S. Men’s National Team—players like Alexi Lalas, Cobi Jones, and Marcelo Balboa—for what truly feels like a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Even beloved mascot Striker will be part of the celebration, alongside influential figures who helped shape the tournament’s legacy. As Lalas shared, “The 1994 World Cup changed soccer in America forever … what’s exciting now is seeing how the game continues to grow at the grassroots level.”
That growth is exactly what America SCORES Bay Area represents. Born out of the momentum of ’94 and now celebrating 25 years in the Bay Area, the organization continues to use soccer as a platform for youth development through teamwork, creativity, and service. Proceeds from the gala will support free after-school programs and initiatives like their “asphalt to turf” Field of Dreams—ensuring that the legacy of the World Cup continues to create opportunity for the next generation. From where it all began to where it’s going next, this is what a true sports legacy looks like.
Sports for Good: Sonoma Epicurean Delivers Again
Another standout moment this season was attending the V Foundation’s Sonoma Epicurean weekend—one of my favorite events of the year. The Friday night Epic Party at Bacchus Landing was a beautiful event featuring an incredible lineup of food and wine tastings in a setting that felt both festive and refined.
From standout wineries like MacRostie, Lombardi, Bricoleur, and Stone Edge to exceptional culinary partners including Valette, Little Saint, SingleThread, and Montage, every detail was thoughtfully curated. Most importantly, the event raised an impressive $3.5 million for cancer research—proof that when the worlds of sport, hospitality, and philanthropy come together, the impact can be extraordinary.
Final Thoughts: From the Bay to Boston—and Back Again
As I recently headed east for the Boston Marathon, I was reminded once again how connected the sports world truly is—from the Bay Area to the global stage and back again. This year, it is especially meaningful as I cheered on my niece, Lexi, with my family as she took on Boston—one of the most iconic races in the world. Moments like these are a powerful reminder of why we love sports in the first place: the passion, the perseverance, and the personal stories behind every finish line.
And at home, with the Valkyries set to tip off their second season in May, the energy here shows no signs of slowing down. I can’t wait for the home opener and the season ahead! From sold-out stadiums to family finish lines, the heart of sport is always the connection it creates. Signing off from the Bay, where passion meets the play.
Beth Schnitzer, the former President of WISE (Women in Sports and Events), is the Co-Founder and President of Spritz: https://spritzsf.com/
Beth’s Bay Area Sports Beat
Published on April 23, 2026
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