Tune in to a WNBA game or lace up your cleats to rebuild those childhood soccer skills. Either way, you’ll share the love for Michigan women’s sports.
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the world of men’s sports, whether you’re an NFL fanatic or a diehard baseball fan. But while we love watching our beloved Detroit Tigers, Red Wings, and Lions play (and narrowly miss Super Bowl opportunities, leaving us heartbroken), women’s sports in Michigan are just as thrilling and loaded with impressive talent.
Whether you’re a longtime supporter of women’s teams or you’re hoping to expand your knowledge of our state’s athletes—regardless of gender—now is a fantastic time to dive into the world of women’s sports. Here are five ways to show your support for women’s athletics in Michigan and maybe even have some sporty fun of your own.
1. Attend an event with Bar IX
There’s something infectious about catching a game with other patrons at a community bar, especially when the stakes are high and the excitement is palpable. Many of us have watched the Lions or Tigers win (and lose) a few games at the local sports bar, but Bar IX brings a breath of fresh air to the industry as Detroit’s first women’s sports bar.
Bar IX’s mission is to bring crowds together to cheer on women’s athletics while enjoying a few drinks and eats—it’s your classic sports bar itinerary, but with an emphasis on games big and small across the spectrum of women’s sports.
As of now, Bar IX hosts pop-up events at local bars in the Motor City area, but its own brick-and-mortar location is in the works. Be sure to follow Bar IX on Instagram for updates and check the organization’s website for upcoming Michigan events, including WNBA watch parties.
2. See a game for yourself
Of course, there’s no better way to show your support for Michigan sports than by becoming a regular at games. Luckily for sports fanatics, there’s something for just about everyone in the world of women’s sports, whether you’re keen on soccer, basketball, or something more unique like roller derby. Here are a few top-tier women’s sports organizations in Michigan that create space for eager spectators:
Pro Volleyball Federation
The Grand Rapids Rise, established in 2024, is an indoor volleyball team based out of Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. See ticket information here.
Women’s Football Alliance
The West Michigan Mayhem and Mid-Michigan Grizzlies play women’s tackle football in the Great Lakes State. Check out all the details here.
Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Details are in development, but Detroit will soon have its own professional women’s basketball team again (you might remember the now-defunct Detroit Shock), with plans to start playing by 2029—so stay tuned!
Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA)
Since 2014, elite golfers from Michigan and beyond have gathered in Blythefield Country Club in Belmont for the Meijer LPGA Classic, a women’s tournament that takes place in June. To learn more about attending, click here.
3. Don’t forget about college teams
Professional women’s sports are a blast to watch, but don’t forget about some of the most thrilling athletic action of all: college sports! With schools like Michigan State University and the University of Michigan producing excellent athletes of all genders and backgrounds, there’s no shortage of collegiate events to attend throughout the year in Michigan.
The Wolverines are known for women’s basketball, softball, and gymnastics prowess, while Michigan State also boasts impressive records in women’s basketball—and, perhaps less famously, field hockey.
Hope College in Holland is nationally ranked for excellence in women’s cross country and track and field, while Calvin University has a highly regarded women’s soccer program. Tickets to each of these schools’ sporting events can be secured online.
But regardless of whether a college’s women’s sports teams are nationally ranked, we firmly believe they’re still worth supporting. There’s something uniquely gratifying about following local schools’ athletic journeys, and sometimes the underdogs end up making it all the way.
4. Teach your kids young
Reducing stereotypes about women’s sports—like the idea that women’s teams are somehow less worth watching or less competitive than men—begins with children, who lack preconceived notions about what it means to have real athletic prowess. Bring your kids along to women’s sports games in Michigan and flip on the TV to watch WNBA, U.S. Women’s National Soccer, and more.
Resources like the Michigan High School Athletic Association and Michigan Sports Academies (MHSAA) provide full listings of in-person sports classes throughout the state, or you can visit your local recreation department to get your girls signed up for pressure-free sports fun.
After all, one of the best ways to build budding female athletes (or female athlete supporters) is to reinforce the idea that athletics don’t always need to be taken so seriously.
If you’ve got a young person in your home who’s serious about pursuing sports on a higher level, Michigan also has you covered: Check out the Michigan Hawks, described as an elite club for developing women’s soccer players. Multiple former Michigan Hawks have gone on to play professionally, including Riley Tanner, Abby Crumpton, and Malia Berkley.
5. Get out there and play
Watching sports and signing up your kids is fun, but have you ever wanted to join your favorite players on the field or court during game action? Luckily, Michigan is home to women’s sports programs for all ages, whether you’re a one-time high school athlete or a true beginner who’s ready to dip their toe in the water as an adult.
Organizations like Michigan Sports Academies host co-ed programs for volleyball, while multiple roller derby organizations (everywhere from Kalamazoo to Traverse City) offer skate training and other ways to get involved. You can also expand your athleticism to the world of dance and yoga by taking the leap and enrolling in that once-a-week class you’ve been eyeing at the Y.
Many meetups throughout the state host women’s or gender-inclusive gatherings for everything from softball to jogging (check out MiLife Sports for some of our favorites), also doubling as social events for those new to the area or local parents who just need an active outlet.
May your women’s sports journey start right here in Michigan!
