Highly contagious ‘Valkyries illness’ sweeps across S.F. before tip-off

Golden State fans called in sick to catch Game 6 of the WNBA Finals which took place at 9:30 a.m. Pacific today.

A woman in a crowd with her hand to her forehead, surrounded by other people. — Valkyries fan watches Game 6 of the WNBA Finals at Hi Tops during the work day on October 29, 2026. Photo by Zoe Malen.

When the WNBA announced that Game 6 of the Finals would be played at 9:30 a.m. Pacific, fans were outraged. But they quickly had to put their anger aside to figure out how the heck to watch the game at a time when most people are supposed to be at work or school.

“Call in sick,” Valkyries guard, Veronica Burton, said. “I recommend it.” Flavor Flav drafted up a doctor’s note. And lo and behold, Valkyries fans started dropping like flies. And by dropping, we mean dropping in at a bar showing the game. You’ve probably seen signs of this illness around the city yourself. Symptoms include purple attire, scratchy vocal cords following games and contagious appreciation for women’s sports.

Mission Local found some extreme cases of Valkyrie-itis at Mother in the Mission.

A woman with a purple sequin fringe jacket raises her fist in a crowd. — Valkyries fans gathered at Mother to watch their team play at 9:30 a.m. in the WNBA Finals on October 29, 2026. Photo by Zoe Malen.

A person wearing glasses and a cap holds open their jacket to reveal a black t-shirt that says “LET’S GO LESBIANS!” in pink text. — Christy Torres grew up watching the Golden State Warriors and said “having a team of our own is like a sprout of traditions and queerness.” Photo by Zoe Malen.

A person wearing a Golden State Valkyries t-shirt and hat stands in the doorway of a purple building with a “Protect Our Spaces” sign on the door. — Malia Spanyol, owner and sometimes bouncer at Mother, opened the bar hours before they usually do. “Anything uplifting women is supported here, especially brown and black women.” Photo by Zoe Malen.

A person holding a tan dog in a purple harness in front of a staircase decorated with fake spiderwebs. — Jenice and furry Valkyries fan, Maya, call the Valkyries the “epitome of bay area culture.” Photo by Zoe Malen.

Not far from Mother, the illness had already spread to the Castro where fans were gathering over espresso martinis and breakfast at Hi Tops.

A smiling man wearing a black baseball cap and a patterned jacket makes a peace sign, with blurred people standing in the background. — Steve, Valkyries fan, said he called in sick with the “Valk-itis,” claiming that only the diehards made it out to watch the 9:30 a.m. game today. Photo by Zoe Malen.

Four people sit at a table in a windowed booth watching a small screen displaying a baseball game. — Valkyries fans outside of Hi Tops watch Game 6 of the WNBA Finals on their laptop at 9:30 a.m. on October 29, 2026. Photo by Zoe Malen.

A woman in a crowd with her mouth open and hand raised, looking excited. — Valkyries fan shouts at Game 6 of the WNBA Finals at Hi Tops on October 29, 2026. Photo by Zoe Malen.

Unfortunately for Valkyries fans, Golden State couldn’t close out the finals today. Game 7 will take place on October 31 at 5 p.m. at Ballhalla. Hopefully everyone is feeling well enough by then.

Golden State fans called in sick to catch Game 6 of the WNBA Finals which took place at 9:30 a.m. Pacific today.

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