Boston sports fans eager to cheer on women's teams now have a new hangout spot on the horizon with the upcoming opening of The Sports Bra, a bar primarily showcasing women's sports. The Sports Bra, first launched in Portland, Oregon in 2022, has announced plans to expand to four cities, including Boston, according to a Boston.com report. This unique venue will be the city's inaugural bar dedicated to broadcasting women’s sporting events exclusively.
While specifics regarding the Boston location's address and opening date are still under wraps, the bar is set to become a community space "for fans to watch, cheer, and connect over their favorite women’s teams and athletes," The Sports Bra said in its announcement as obtained by CBS News Boston. The founder Jenny Nguyen aims to continue to fuel the movement for gender equity in sports with these new establishments. Meanwhile, local professional women’s teams such as the Boston Fleet, Boston Legacy FC, and others anticipate greater visibility and support as a result of this initiative.
According to a release, which Boston.com referred to, each Sports Bra location will be locally owned and operated, and products from women-owned breweries, distilleries, farms, and food businesses will be served. With increasing media coverage—275 percent over the past five years—and women's sports revenues projected to hit $2.35 billion in 2024, the timing for expansion seems ripe.
Backing this venture is Alexis Ohanian, notably married to tennis icon Serena Williams, whose 776 Foundation invested in the company in 2024 to support nationwide franchising efforts. Hundreds have expressed their interest to become franchisees since applications opened in October. Nguyen expressed, "These owner/operators are capable, enthusiastic, and deeply committed to The Bra’s mission" in a statement, according to Boston.com. Beyond the financial investment, local groups like Watch With Us Boston, which have been organizing popups and watch parties, can now soon look forward to a permanent venue to support women's sports fervently.
The Sports Bra's upcoming opening in Boston marks a significant step for sports fans and the city's sports culture. Bostonians have long advocated for a venue like this, and with the groundwork laid by establishments such as The Sports Bra in Portland, Boston's fans will surely have a place to call their own when rallying behind women athletes and teams. The Boston Legacy FC, set to start in 2026, among others, will undoubtedly benefit from the attention and enthusiasm a dedicated sports bar like The Sports Bra can generate.
