Beauty and Basketball Collide at Ballhalla: Sephora Drops Gift Bags at Valkyries Game

A surprise from the retailer delights Golden State fans at Chase Center.

Veronica Burton, Tiffany Hayes and Stephanie Talbot / Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images

There’s nothing like a Friday night at Ballhalla.

The Golden State Valkyries—the WNBA’s newest expansion team—are bringing fresh energy and record-breaking crowds to Chase Center, and beauty lovers are reaping the benefits.

A sold-out crowd attempts to grab a Sephora goodie bag at Valkyries game. / Courtesy of Sephora

At several of the team’s most recent home games, fans were treated to a surprise midway through the matchup: Sephora’s signature black and white striped gift bags rained from the rafters, sparking cheers from every corner of the sold-out arena. It was the kind of electric moment that perfectly captured what makes the Valkyries so special.

The vibes were immaculate. Nearly every fan wore team merch, the game (which ended in an 83-78 win against the Chicago Sky) was a nail-biter and the crowd was fully dialed in. It marked a turning point in WNBA culture.

Sephora parachute drop at Valkyries game. / Courtesy of Sephora

Still, packed crowds like this are (unfortunately) the exception, not the norm—but the Valkyries are changing that quickly.

The league’s newest team broke records earlier this season by selling more than 10,000 season tickets before their first official home game. The Bay Area is showing up and showing out, and so is Sephora.

As a founding partner of the franchise, the beauty giant is committed to celebrating women and pushing boundaries, just like the team itself.

“Partnering with Sephora is a natural fit for the Valkyries. They are not just a beauty leader, but a company with deep Bay Area roots like us,” said franchise president Jess Smith in a press release. “From our state-of-the-art Sephora Performance Center in Oakland to the unique content we’ll create, this partnership brings tangible benefits to our players while giving fans unprecedented access to the team during our inaugural season.”

The collaboration has included custom on-court programming, bold visuals throughout Chase Center and buzzy activations like this one—an unexpected collision of sports and style that reflects the WNBA’s continued rise.

There’s even a daily restocked Sephora vending machine, which boasts the clever slogan: “get your game face on.” It offers quick touch-ups and cult-favorite minis to keep attendees stocked and slaying.

Sephora vending machine. / SI Staff

In many ways, this team is more than just a roster of talented athletes. It’s a trailblazing group redefining what it means to be a women’s sports franchise in 2025. And at the helm is coach Natalie Nakase, the first Asian American head coach in the league.

Monique Billings brings leadership and undeniable flair, both in her play and her signature tunnel fits. Veteran forward Kayla Thornton leads the charge with an impressive 15.0 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, bringing consistency and poise on both ends of the floor. Guard Tiffany Hayes, in her 12th WNBA season, adds experience and firepower, averaging 13.0 points and 2.6 assists. French rookie Janelle Salaün has quickly made her mark with 11.8 points per game and nearly six boards, while Veronica Burton, known for her defensive prowess, is averaging 10.5 points, 4.0 assists and nearly 5 rebounds.

The Valkyries currently sit at 7-9 overall, but with a rapidly gelling roster and surging fan support, the season is far from over.

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