Bay FC Sets NWSL Record: 40,091 Fans at Oracle Park

Bay FC Sets New NWSL Attendance Record

The Bay FC has set a new milestone in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), attracting a record crowd of 40,091 spectators in their match against the Washington Spirit at Oracle Park in San Francisco. The previous record was set at 35,038 attendees, marked by the “Chicago Stars” in a match against the Bay FC at Wrigley Field. Although Bay FC’s home games are usually played at PayPal Park in San Jose, averaging over 13,400 fans per match, this historic game was moved to the home of the San Francisco Giants.

Former Giants left fielder and baseball home run leader Barry Bonds was in attendance at the game.

“The players deserve it. They have worked very hard and this league has come a long way,” commented Albertin Montoya, coach of Bay FC, referring to the crowd. “When you have soccer like that, I think every person who watched the game can leave and say ‘Hey, I’d do this again,’ because it was entertaining. It was good quality soccer in every aspect.”

Albertin Montoya

In addition to being a new record for the NWSL, which began in 2013, Saturday’s attendance also marked a new high for any professional women’s sports league in the United States. The NWSL has established 48 of the 50 highest-attended matches in the history of women’s professional sports leagues in the United States. The previous highest attendance for Bay FC was 18,000 people at the team’s inaugural NWSL match in March 2024.

“The atmosphere was fantastic,” said Spirit coach Adrián González. “The organization, the fans, and having the opportunity to experience something like this, I think it’s something unique for the players, for the staff, for the soccer community, for the fans. Very grateful to be a part of this.”

Adrián González

In the field, Bay FC didn’t have much to celebrate. Kate Wiesner, Croix Bethune, and Kelli Hubly scored in the first half for the Washington Spirit, which included US star Trinity Rodman in the starting lineup for the first time in five months. Racheal Kundananji and Kelli Hubly reduced the deficit for Bay FC, but they failed to tie the match, extending their winless streak to six games.