Gift Guide · 2026 WNBA Champions
Champions in Year Two: The Valkyries Gift Guide
The title is real and the gear is starting to land. What to buy tonight, what to wait for, and how to get it there before the holidays.
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It took the Golden State Valkyries two seasons. The team that drew 18,064 fans to most home games at Chase Center this year won the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history, 68-63 over the Atlanta Dream, and with it the franchise’s first championship.
If someone on your list was in the building at Ballhalla, or watched every game of this series from the couch, this is the year to give them something with a date on it. Here is what to buy tonight, what is worth waiting for, and how to make sure it arrives before the holidays.
01What to buy tonight, and what to wait for
Championship gear arrives in waves. The first wave is the hat and T-shirt the players pull on during the on-court celebration, the “locker room” pieces, and those are usually the first items listed. Hoodies, long sleeves, kids’ sizes and collectibles tend to follow over the following days and weeks.
The catch for holiday shoppers: many championship items are listed for pre-order with a ship date rather than shipping right away. If it’s a gift, check the ship date on the product page before you check out. If it’s cutting close, buy the piece that’s in stock now and save the collectible for a birthday.
Buy the hat tonight. Buy the jersey once you know whose name you want on it.
02The jersey question
A jersey is the big gift, and the real decision is whose name goes on the back. The obvious pick tonight is Gabby Williams. She came into Game 7 averaging 20.3 points a game in these playoffs, then scored 30 in the clincher, 28 of them after halftime.
The longer bet is a player who is signed to stay. Veronica Burton re-signed on a three-year deal before this season, and Janelle Salaün on a multi-year contract, so either name should still be on the floor at Chase Center when the banner goes up.
Two practical notes. Check the size chart: some jerseys are cut for women and some are unisex, and that difference matters more than the letter on the tag. And personalized jerseys generally take longer to ship than stock name-and-number versions, so order those first if you’re shopping for the holidays.
03By budget
Stocking stuffers
The championship T-shirt
The simplest way to say you were there. If a locker room version is offered, that is the style the players wear on the floor.
A kids’ championship tee
If there’s a young fan in the house, this is the shirt they’ll remember as their first title. Kids’ sizes sometimes list a little later than adult sizes, so check back if you don’t see them yet.
The main gift
The championship hat
Usually among the first pieces listed, and popular styles can sell out. Most championship hats are adjustable, which makes one the safest gift when you don’t know a size.
A championship hoodie
The one they will wear to every game next season. Hoodies sometimes list later than the hats and tees, so this may be a pre-order.
The splurge
A name-and-number jersey
See the jersey question above. If you can wait for championship editions or patches, check the product details; if not, a standard jersey with the right name is still the gift.
A commemorative piece
Framed photos, plaques and collectible balls for the champions usually take longest to appear. Worth waiting for if this is the fan who has been there since day one.
04For the fan who has everything
Next season’s home opener at Chase Center is the first game under a championship banner. The 2027 schedule isn’t out yet, but Valkyries tickets are available through the team’s ticket page and Ticketmaster, and a printed card promising “the banner game, together” makes a good gift on its own until the date is announced.
Read the story: how the Valkyries won the first Game 7 in Finals history.
Follow the offseason: Valkyries news.
Two years ago this team didn’t have a roster. Now it has a banner. Whatever you pick, buy the version with the year on it.
Shop all Valkyries championship gear
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