Bay Area Derby

What Bay Area Derby does

Bay Area Derby (BAD) is a member-run flat track roller derby league founded in 2004 and serving the San Francisco Bay Area. It is affiliated with the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) as a premier league and fields the competitive BAD All Stars alongside intramural home teams. The league's activity stack spans competitive bouts, youth development through the BAD Juniors program, an entry-level Learn to Skate program, and tournament hosting — most notably the 10th annual Golden Bowl and the upcoming WFTDA North America Playoffs 2026 (May 15–17, 2026). Its primary venue is the Richmond Memorial Auditorium, selected for BART accessibility and wheelchair accessibility.

The league operates a community-funded business model with no disclosed external capital. Revenue comes from ticket sales (~700 tickets per home game), a long tail of local sponsorships priced at $50–$2,500 per season, branded merchandise including the SKATEZILLA co-branded beer with Epidemic Ales, and PayPal-based community donations. Distribution is anchored in a recurring volunteer and skater base (~9,000 Instagram, ~22,000 Facebook followers) and extended globally via YouTube livestreams of bouts.

Bay Area Derby participates in the broader California roller derby ecosystem through its membership in the California Derby Galaxy coalition (announced 2025-06-14) and runs a Team USA Roller Derby bootcamp in conjunction with the 2026 Playoffs weekend. The organization remains volunteer-driven; no funding rounds, acquisitions, or material leadership changes are disclosed in the available data.

Name

Bay Area Derby

Legal name

Bay Area Derby

Website

https://bayareaderby.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Bay Area Derby is a member-run, WFTDA-affiliated flat track roller derby league in the San Francisco Bay Area, operating competitive teams, a Juniors program, and tournaments (including WFTDA North America Playoffs 2026) via ticket sales, small-sponsor revenue, merchandise, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from in-person event tickets sold through Eventbrite and Humanitix platforms. Games frequently sell over 700+ tickets per event.
2. Sponsorships: Sponsorship packages starting at $250 per season, with various tiers offering benefits such as displaying flyers/business cards at games and premier banner placement.
3. Merchandise and Vendor Fees: Revenue from vendor village at events, including various Bay Area artists, small businesses, and organizations. VIP packages with drink tickets and exclusive trackside seats also available.
4. Donations: Direct donations accepted via PayPal for supporting the league's efforts to stay in the Bay Area.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bay Area Derby is California's premiere WFTDA-affiliated roller derby league that hosts competitive flat-track roller derby games, regional tournaments (including the annual Golden Bowl and WFTDA North America Playoffs 2026), and training programs. The league fields home teams (Oakland Outlaws, San Francisco Rolling Dead, BAD Bones), the BAD All Stars elite travel team, and Comets/Quasars teams in the California Derby Galaxy coalition. Core revenue is generated through ticket sales, sponsorship packages, and donations.

Product overview

Bay Area Derby (BAD) is California's premiere WFTDA-affiliated roller derby league offering a portfolio of competitive roller derby products and services. The core offering includes the BAD All Stars elite travel team, home team competitions (Oakland Outlaws vs. San Francisco Rolling Dead), and BAD Comets/Quasars teams competing in the California Derby Galaxy coalition. BAD organizes major tournaments including the annual Golden Bowl (now in its 10th year) and hosts WFTDA playoff events. The league provides Learn To Skate programs for new players, officials training, and a youth Juniors program (ages 12-17). BAD sells tickets and streaming passes to home games and tournaments, offers sponsorship packages to businesses, and provides volunteer opportunities. The organization produces branded merchandise including SKATEZILLA beer brewed by Epidemic Ales, and provides BAD Hands volunteer programs with free game access in exchange for event support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BAD Roller Derby League California's premiere WFTDA-affiliated roller derby league offering competitive roller derby events, training programs, and community engagement activities for Bay Area residents and visitors.
• BAD All Stars Elite competitive travel team representing Bay Area Derby in WFTDA-sanctioned games and tournaments at the national and international levels.
• BAD Home Team Season Seasonal home team competitions featuring the Oakland Outlaws versus San Francisco Rolling Dead, with special events like Summer Slam and Halloween Game.
• Learn To Skate Program Programs for individuals interested in becoming roller derby players, including beginner skating instruction and league intake processes.
• BAD Officials Training Training and certification programs for roller derby officials including referees, non-skating officials, and other volunteer roles.
• Golden Bowl Tournament Annual WFTDA-sanctioned tournament hosting high-level roller derby teams competing for the Golden Bowl championship, now in its 10th year (2025).
• WFTDA North America Playoffs California 2026 Three-day WFTDA-sanctioned playoff tournament hosted by BAD in May 2026, featuring 12 of the best roller derby leagues in North America competing for Global Championship spots in Malmö, Sweden.
• BAD Juniors Program Youth roller derby program for skaters ages 12-17, run in partnership with Bay Area Derby Juniors league.
• BAD Sponsorship Packages Sponsorship opportunities ranging from $50-$2,500 per season, offering various benefits including banner placement, social media mentions, and vendor table access.
• SKATEZILLA Beer (BAD branded merchandise) BAD's own American IPA style beer brewed by Epidemic Ales, available at BAD events and bars.

Quantifiable outcome

• Events frequently sell over 700+ tickets
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Team USA Roller DerbyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 May 2026Team USA Roller Derby (USARD) is the United States' National Organization for Roller Derby under WFTDA. BAD hosted a Team USA Roller Derby Bootcamp featuring elite trainers from various leagues. USA Roller Derby has Gold Medal finishes in 2011, 2014, 2018, and 2025 World Cups.
• Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2026WFTDA is the governing body for roller derby. Bay Area Derby is a WFTDA-affiliated league and hosts the 2026 WFTDA North America Playoffs featuring 12 teams competing for Global Championship spots in Malmö, Sweden.
• 187 Killer PadsminorOthers · 15 May 2026Equipment sponsor for WFTDA North America Playoffs 2026
• RiedellminorOthers · 15 May 2026Equipment sponsor for WFTDA North America Playoffs 2026
• S One Helmet Co.minorOthers · 15 May 2026Equipment sponsor for WFTDA North America Playoffs 2026
• Epidemic AlesminorOthers · 15 May 2026Brewery partner producing SKATEZILLA American IPA style beer for BAD events
• Bruised BoutiqueminorOthers · 15 May 2026Skate shop sponsor for WFTDA North America Playoffs 2026
• WFTDA InsuranceminorOthers · 15 May 2026Insurance sponsor for WFTDA North America Playoffs 2026
• RollerConminorOthers · 15 May 2026Event partner sponsor for WFTDA North America Playoffs 2026
• California Historical Radio SocietyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 February 2026Partner for Roller Derby & Radios Fundraiser event at California Historical Radio Society venue in Alameda
• California Derby Galaxy (CDG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 June 2025California Derby Galaxy is a coalition of local roller derby leagues in the greater Bay Area. BAD participates in CDG events including tournaments and inter-league games with teams like Comets and Quasars divisions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Atlanta Rollergirls: Atlanta-based WFTDA league operating home teams, travel teams, and community programming. Comparable in structure and event-driven business model.
• Angel City Derby: Los Angeles-based WFTDA roller derby league operating in the same California market and serving a similar urban, community-engaged audience. Highly comparable as a same-state, similar-format peer.
• Rat City Roller Derby: Seattle-based WFTDA league and one of the original flat-track derby leagues. Comparable West Coast peer with similar home team structure, travel team, and community event model.
• Rose City Rollers: Portland, Oregon-based WFTDA-affiliated roller derby league and one of the most established and competitive leagues in North America. Directly comparable to Bay Area Derby in governance structure, league format, and competitive tier.
• Arch Rival Roller Derby: St. Louis-based WFTDA roller derby league with home teams and an All Stars travel team. Comparable peer with similar community engagement and event hosting capabilities.
• Steel City Roller Derby: Pittsburgh-based WFTDA league operating home teams and travel squads. Comparable membership-based structure and event-driven operating model.
• Arizona Roller Derby: Phoenix-based WFTDA league operating home teams and competitive travel squads in the Southwest. Comparable peer in structure, scale, and community-based operating model.
• Denver Roller Derby: Denver-based WFTDA league with a long competitive history and similar home-team-vs-travel-team structure. Comparable peer in operations and sponsorship approach.
• Windy City Rollers: Chicago-based WFTDA roller derby league with a multi-team structure and active community programming. Comparable peer in scale and league governance.
• Texas Rollergirls: Austin-based WFTDA-affiliated league with home teams and a competitive travel team. Comparable in membership structure, ticket-driven revenue, and tournament hosting experience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=3U0_H9xcKas&list=PL7nWuP8XUlUmkfux17DwsVMPQkMp_LcJb
• Facebookfacebook.com/bayareaderbygirls
• Instagraminstagram.com/bayareaderby
• TikToktiktok.com/@bayareaderby
• Xx.com/bayareaderby

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bay Area Derby