Aces celebrate WNBA title with a spectacular PARADE on the Las Vegas Strip

Las Vegas Aces Celebrate Their Third Championship with an Epic Parade

Eight years after the WNBA and the NBA Board of Governors confirmed the relocation of the San Antonio Stars to Las Vegas, the Aces celebrated their third championship in four years with a parade down the famous Strip on Friday night.

“We’re back!” exclaimed owner Mark Davis, wearing a white satin team jacket on the stage at Toshiba Plaza, outside the T-Mobile Arena. “Las Vegas, we are world champions.”

Mark Davis

Led by a group of low-riding classic cars showcasing their hydraulics, five double-decker buses traveled from Tropicana Boulevard to Las Vegas Boulevard. The last bus carried the Aces, who threw streamers and confetti at thousands of fans who began arriving four hours before the start of the parade and lined the road, known for hosting some of the world’s biggest artists since the Rat Pack era in the 1960s. On this night, there were no stars bigger than the Aces, who overcame a 14-14 start to the season and a couple of tough playoff series before sweeping the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals. From children to seniors and political dignitaries, Toshiba Plaza was filled to celebrate the fourth professional championship since 2022, with the Aces winning three and the NHL’s Golden Knights winning the Stanley Cup in 2023.

“We should do it again next year,” said Aces coach Becky Hammon, who wore her signature hooded blazer, this one with “GRATITUDE” emblazoned in gold on the back.

Becky Hammon

Hammon, who just completed her fourth season with the Aces, said that this year’s team was the easiest to coach.

“They came and worked hard, no matter the circumstances,” she said. “This is one of the groups with the most character and resilience.”

Becky Hammon

After losing several key players from their previous championship teams, the Aces welcomed many new faces and needed almost three months to consolidate before achieving 16 consecutive wins to end the regular season and earn the second spot in the playoffs.

“This is a special, special group; we pray together and we toast with champagne together,” said A’ja Wilson, four-time MVP, who became emotional when talking about Hammon’s dedication to each player. “She believed in us when no one else did. We’re not going anywhere without Becky Hammon.”

A’ja Wilson

Admitting she wanted to keep her speech short to avoid getting emotional, midseason acquisition NaLyssa Smith looked at her teammates on stage and said: “You changed my life.” Jackie Young, who has been part of the team during the three championships and has always been characterized by keeping her comments short and sweet, was exactly that when it was her turn to speak.

“Just know, we’re not done yet,” Young said.

Jackie Young

The celebration ended with confetti and fireworks filling the sky while “We Are The Champions” by Queen played through the sound system. The musical acts Crime Mob, Ludacris, and Mya performed live.

“Now it’s a parade,” said Jewell Loyd, first-year Ace and three-time WNBA champion.

Jewell Loyd