On the morning of November 20th, a flag-raising ceremony was held at the San Jose City Hall Plaza, declaring the start of the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Championship weekend. This event marked the second time in nearly three seasons that San Jose has been chosen to host the championship game.
This Saturday, November 22nd, the Washington Spirit will face Gotham FC at PayPal Park, expecting to draw in 18,000 fans, boosting the city’s economy through food, accommodation, and transportation.
Among the attendees of the ceremony were distinguished guests including San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, NWSL Chair Jessica Berman, Bay FC Co-founder Danielle Slaton, San Jose Sports Authority Executive Director John Poch, and Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative (BAWSI) CEO Dana Weintraub.
Mayor Mahan emphasized the significance of women’s soccer beyond just the game itself, stating that it serves as inspiration for future generations. He highlighted the growing enthusiasm for women’s sports in the United States and positioned San Jose at the forefront of this movement.
Following Mayor Mahan’s remarks, he, along with Vice Mayor Pam Foley and Councilman Michael Mulcahy, presented a commendation certificate to NWSL Chair Berman for her outstanding contributions to enhancing the league’s influence and visibility in women’s soccer.
Berman expressed that San Jose’s rich women’s soccer culture, loyal fan base, and top-notch facilities naturally made it the league’s preferred choice for hosting the championship game. She mentioned that the decision to return to San Jose was a reflection of the city’s passion for sports, engaged fans, impressive team performance, and the quality experience provided by PayPal Park.
Looking towards the future, Berman revealed that in 2026, NWSL will expand from 14 teams to 16, bringing women’s professional soccer to more cities across the United States, not just limited to the Bay Area.
Co-founder of Bay FC, Slaton shared her personal connection to soccer, having grown up in the apricot orchards on the east side of San Jose and first experiencing the sport with the Alam Rock team. She highlighted the talent nurtured in Northern California over the years, with the city once again hosting the highest-level national event, continuing its legacy.
Executive Director of the Sports Authority, Poch, acknowledged San Jose as a stronghold of women’s soccer in the United States, from hosting the 1999 Women’s World Cup, five NCAA Women’s College Cups, the 2001 CyberRays, to the 2010 Gold Pride champions, solidifying its pivotal role domestically and internationally.
Weintraub, CEO of BAWSI, stressed that women’s soccer symbolizes not just competition but also hope. With over 26,000 children and teenagers served by BAWSI over the years, she emphasized the empowering impact of seeing professional female athletes on the field, inspiring young girls to realize their own potential.
City Manager Jennifer Maguire highlighted that from the NWSL championship game and the 2026 Super Bowl to the World Cup, San Jose is set to host a wave of global sporting events, leading to a significant boost in the city’s economy, tourism, and international exposure.