If you haven't been to a home game in a few years, you might still be picturing the concrete corridors of Oakland. It’s a common mistake. People still associate the "Roaracle" vibe with the East Bay, and honestly, the nostalgia is real. But if you’re trying to figure out where is warriors stadium today, you need to point your GPS toward the San Francisco skyline, specifically the waterfront.
The Golden State Warriors play at Chase Center. It isn't just a gym; it’s a massive $1.4 billion statement piece sitting right on the edge of the San Francisco Bay. Specifically, it’s located at 1 Warriors Way, San Francisco, CA 94158.
Forget the old days of the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The team officially packed their bags and moved across the bridge in 2019. Now, they're anchored in the Mission Bay neighborhood. It’s a glassy, modern district that feels worlds apart from the gritty, high-energy atmosphere of their former home.
Finding Chase Center: The Heart of Mission Bay
Mission Bay used to be a lot of empty lots and industrial warehouses. Not anymore. Now, it’s a hub of biotech labs, hospitals, and high-end condos. When you’re looking for where is warriors stadium, you’re looking for the intersection of 3rd Street and 16th Street.
The stadium sits on an 11-acre site. It’s surrounded by a massive public plaza called Thrive City. If you arrive early, you’ll see people hanging out by the big outdoor screen or grabbin' a beer at one of the surrounding eateries. It’s basically its own mini-neighborhood.
The actual building is hard to miss. It’s a giant, circular white structure that looks a bit like a high-tech spaceship landed on the water. It’s tucked right between the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital and the Bay itself.
Getting There Without Losing Your Mind
Traffic in San Francisco is, frankly, a nightmare. If you try to drive to a 7:00 PM tip-off, you're going to have a bad time. Most locals will tell you to skip the car entirely.
- Muni is your best friend. The T Third Street light rail line drops you literally at the front door. The stop is called UCSF/Chase Center.
- The Ticket is the Ride. Here’s a pro tip: your game ticket doubles as a free Muni pass for the entire day. You just show it to the fare inspector or scan it.
- BART Connections. If you’re coming from the East Bay (where many fans still live), you take BART to the Powell Street or Embarcadero stations and then transfer to the Muni Metro.
- The Ferry. This is the coolest way to arrive. There’s a ferry terminal at Pier 48.5, which is just a short walk from the arena. Watching the sunset over the Bay Bridge while pulling up to a game? It’s hard to beat.
Why the Location Change Actually Matters
The move from Oakland to San Francisco wasn't just about a new building. It was a massive cultural shift. For 47 years, the Warriors were the soul of Oakland. When they moved, it felt like a betrayal to some.
Oracle Arena was famous for being the loudest building in the NBA. It was "Roaracle." It was intimate and, let's be real, a bit run-down, but that gave it character. Chase Center is the opposite. It’s polished. It’s expensive. It has sushi chefs and wine bars.
But the new location allows the Warriors to act more like a tech company than just a basketball team. By being in San Francisco, they are closer to the venture capital and tech giants of Silicon Valley. The stadium itself houses 580,000 square feet of office space. It’s a business empire that happens to have a basketball court in the middle of it.
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Surprising Details About the Stadium
The scoreboard is insane. It’s the largest LED video display in the NBA—9,699 square feet of screen. If you're sitting in the nosebleeds, you'll probably spend half the game watching the screen instead of the actual players because the resolution is so crisp.
Also, the food isn't just hot dogs and stale nachos. You’ve got Bakesale Betty (famous for fried chicken sandwiches), Tacolicious, and Tony G’s Pizza. It’s very "San Francisco."
What to Do Before the Game
Since you now know where is warriors stadium, you should probably plan the pre-game. Thrive City is the place to be. It’s the outdoor area surrounding the arena.
There are statues, art installations, and often live music. If it's a nice day, you can walk along the waterfront esplanade. The views of the Bay Bridge from this angle are some of the best in the city.
- Check the Bag Policy: They are strict. Anything bigger than 14" x 14" x 6" isn't getting in.
- Download the App: Everything is digital. Your tickets, your food orders—it’s all on the Warriors + Chase Center app.
- Bring a Card: Chase Center is a 100% cashless venue. If you only have paper money, you’ll have to use one of the "cash-to-card" kiosks inside to get a prepaid debit card.
Final Logistics
Whether you're there for Steph Curry or a Tame Impala concert, the stadium’s footprint has changed the city's South of Market (SoMa) area forever. It's no longer a quiet industrial zone. It’s a destination.
If you’re coming from out of town, stay in a hotel near Union Square or the Embarcadero. You can hop on the T line and be at the stadium in 15 minutes. Don't bother staying right next to the stadium unless you're prepared to pay a massive premium.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify your transportation: Check the SFMTA website for any "S Shuttle" event service updates before you head out.
- Pre-book parking: If you absolutely must drive, use the Chase Center website to buy a parking pass for the Mercedes-Benz Garage or the Warriors Way Garage ahead of time. Street parking is virtually non-existent on game nights.
- Arrive 90 minutes early: This gives you time to clear security and actually walk around Thrive City without rushing.