What do the attendance numbers mean at basketball games, really? They are not just a tally of bodies in seats; they’re proof. Proof that this many voices showed up draped in your colors, shouting your name. It’s proof that fans will reach into their wallets just for the chance to watch you hoop. Proof that somewhere along the way, you carved a spot in their hearts and got written into their everyday lives. More than anyone, the Indiana Fever have done exactly that. But when it comes to filling actual stadium seats at home? Well, let’s just say another franchise is stealing that spotlight.

Last season, when Caitlin Clark suited up injury-free for the Fever, the numbers told their own story. Indiana’s home attendance hit 340,715 fans. It was a single-season record for any WNBA team, blowing past the long-standing mark of 250,565 set by New York back in 2001. Even if you’d stack the numbers, the Fever sat at the very top of 2024’s attendance charts, followed by the Liberty and the Aces, rounding out the top three. Here’s a look-

Now, that trend of the Fever leading the league didn’t just stop with 2024. Even in a season where Caitlin Clark was sidelined for the majority (suiting up in only 13 games), Indiana still came out on top in total attendance when you combine home and road crowds. The Fever reportedly drew nearly 700,000 fans this year, about 100,000 more than any other WNBA franchise. Turns out, though, their biggest superpower wasn’t at Gainbridge Fieldhouse: it was on the road, where they became the hottest ticket in town. Because at home? That’s where the league’s newest darlings stole the show.

The expansion Golden State Valkyries turned Chase Center into the loudest fortress in women’s basketball, selling out all 22 home games. Their finale against the Minnesota Lynx pushed their season tally to a jaw-dropping 397,408 fans, smashing the Fever’s record of 340,715 from last year. And it’s not just the headlines giving them flowers… even a Fever star herself tipped her cap to the Valks’ takeover.

Caitlin Clark’s Teammate Tipped her Hat to The Valks’

Aliyah Boston, on the latest episode of her podcast with Candace Parker, “I feel like we have to talk about the Valks. I mean, first expansion team to make the playoffs in their debut season – like, that’s impressive. I have been seriously impressed. I know we’ve played against them, so it’s kind of like, dang, why are you talking about your ops like this? But seriously, you have to give credit where credit is due. And honestly, I think the Valks have just had such a great season. The way they compete, the way they come out and make it a game no matter who they’re playing – I feel like you have to talk about that. And they did clinch a playoff spot, so that’s really exciting for them.”4

And Boston’s praise couldn’t be more deserved. After all, Golden State also swept the Fever 3-0 in their regular season series (88–77, 80–61, and 75–63). That dominance on the court only reinforced what the numbers off the court were already screaming: this is a franchise rewriting history.

As Candace Parker put it: “What’s insane is that every time they’ve had success on the court, the off-the-court stuff was unbelievable as well. The Valks set the all-time WNBA attendance record for average attendance at 18,064. That’s so impressive. You’ve got to give a shout-out to the Bay.” And so here it is, from us at EssentiallySports: all hail the Valks, the new queens of Ballhalla: where every game is a sold-out saga, every matchup is a roar, and the Bay has officially become the beating heart of the WNBA!