Bay FC Takes Spirit Out To The Ball Game

Written by Oluwaseun Oyediji

During a game between Club America and Real Madrid at Oracle Park
Oracle Park’s 40,000-capacity could set a new National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) attendance record.

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The NWSL’s Bay FC announced they’re heading back to the ballpark, following up last year’s Wrigley Field matchup against the Chicago Stars by taking on the Washington Spirit inside Oracle Park, home to the San Francisco Giants.

The August 23rd game isn’t just a spectacle — the move builds on Bay FC’s continued ambitions to claim the NWSL’s attendance record by filling the Bay Area ballpark’s 40,000+ seats.

Chicago hosted a league-record 35,038 fans at Wrigley Field last summer, beating out Seattle’s previous high of 34,130, set during Megan Rapinoe’s final home game in 2023.

The Bay area has shown up in droves for Bay FC, selling out the club’s first ever home match in 2024 and finishing the inaugural season in the top five in NWSL attendance. With a capacity of over 40,000, Oracle Park is sure to create an atmosphere that is unrivaled anywhere else in the NWSL. With this announcement, Bay FC continues to build on their innovative approach from their inaugural season where they defeated the Chicago Stars in front of an NWSL record crowd of 35,038 fans at Wrigley Field and hosted an international friendly against back-to-back UEFA Women’s Champions League winners and Spanish Club FC Barcelona in PayPal Park.

Bay FC and Washington Spirit’s Aug. 23 matchup will be the second of the 2025 NWSL season between the two clubs and the fifth all-time. The two sides met once already this season, March 28 at Audi Field, as well as last fall in Bay FC’s first playoff match in club history, the 2024 NWSL Quarterfinals.

“As the NWSL and women’s sports as a whole continue their tremendous growth, it’s exciting to see demand from our fans to play matches in larger venues like Oracle Park. It’s also important to expand the regional reach of clubs within their markets,” said Spirit CEO Kim Stone. “We’re honored to be taking part in such a momentous milestone in Bay FC’s history and excited to see the crowd and atmosphere in San Francisco this August!”

In the club’s inaugural season, Bay FC became the winningest expansion side in NWSL history after securing 10 victories, and just the second expansion team to earn a postseason berth. Washington reached the 2024 NWSL Championship, finishing as runners-up, and is the current title holder of the NWSL Challenge Cup having defeated Orlando Pride in the 2025 edition of the match.

Some of the world’s top talents will be on display in the historic match as the two clubs are represented by a combined 19 players with senior national team experience, including Bay FC defender, Bay Area native and 2019 World Cup Champion Abby Dahlkemper. Additionally, Bay FC forward and six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala, Bay FC forward and Zambia National Team standout Racheal Kundananji, and Washington Spirit forwards and USWNT standouts Ashley Hatch and Trinity Rodman are expected to be available for selection in the match.

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Opened in 2000, Oracle Park is a staple of downtown San Francisco and has hosted premier events including four World Series matchups, the 2007 MLB All-Star Game, sold-out concerts by top artists, international soccer matches and other non-baseball events.

Historic sporting accomplishments have graced the venue, including Barry Bonds’ record-breaking 756th career home run, no-hitters in 2009 and 2014, the 22nd perfect game in MLB history by former Giants pitcher Matt Cain, the Giants’ 2002, 2012 and 2014 National League Pennant clinching victories, and legendary broadcaster Vin Scully’s final career regular season broadcast.

The venue was sold out for 538 consecutive Giants home games from 2010 to 2017, owing to strong fan support across the region. This past April, the ballpark celebrated 25 seasons on the shores of China Basin.

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About Author

Oluwaseun Oyediji

I am a huge advocate of Women’s football after covering the Nigeria Women Football Leagues (NWFL) since 2019. An unbiased football writer with penchant for women’s in sports and historical analysis.

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