Boston, August 28, 2025
News Summary
The Sports Bra, a women’s sports bar franchise founded in Portland, is set to open a new location in Boston as part of its multi-city growth initiative. The Boston bar will feature only women’s sports on its screens, providing a community-focused environment for female athletes and supporters. Although no specific opening date has been disclosed, the franchise’s founders have been actively engaging the local community through events, fostering anticipation for the new venue.
Boston
The Sports Bra, a women’s sports bar franchise founded in Portland, Oregon in 2022, announced plans to expand to Boston, Massachusetts as part of a multi-city growth push that also includes openings in Las Vegas, Indianapolis, and St. Louis. Specific details about the Boston location and opening date have not been disclosed, and the franchise said individual locations will operate on their own timelines.
What the Boston franchise will offer
The Boston location will be part of a concept that programs televisions to show only women’s sports. Local professional teams expected to be featured include the Boston Fleet (hockey), Boston Banshees (rugby), Boston Legacy FC (soccer), Boston Guard (lacrosse), and the Renegades (football). The franchise intends to create a community-centered space meant to welcome casual fans, long-time supporters, and aspiring female athletes.
Ownership and local activity
The Sports Bra franchise was founded by a group of eight friends; among the named co-owners are Lydia Coverdale-Perez and Whitney Edwards. Boston franchise owners have been active locally for the past year and a half through pop-up events and watch parties hosted under the group name Watch With Us Boston, building an audience and local partnerships ahead of the formal bar opening.
Mission and community focus
The bar concept emphasizes support for gender equity in sports and aims to uplift women-owned businesses while providing a welcoming environment for diverse visitors. The original Portland location received backing from investors that included an early Reddit co-founder, and the brand has positioned itself as part of a broader movement to boost representation and visibility for women’s athletics.
Market context and demand
Industry indicators point to growing interest in women’s sports. Media coverage of women’s sports has increased significantly, with a reported rise of 275% over the past five years. Earlier operational challenges at the original Sports Bra location included difficulty finding enough live women’s sporting events to fill broadcast schedules. That situation has reversed in the most recent period, with the original location now reporting more demand to show games than available television slots.
Franchise growth and trends
The announcement of a Boston expansion coincides with a wider trend: six women’s sports bars opened this year, and there are indications that as many as 17 more could follow. Franchise leaders describe this expansion as a response to increased visibility, fan interest, and the desire for dedicated public viewing spaces for women’s athletics.
Operational notes
Franchise locations set their own timelines for site selection, build-out, and opening. The Boston franchise has been building local momentum through community events, but the exact address and launch date will be released when finalized. The franchise model also emphasizes local ownership and programming decisions to reflect community needs and local team schedules.
Why this matters
The anticipated Boston location represents both a business expansion and a cultural moment: it seeks to increase representation for women’s sports in public viewing spaces and to shift perceptions by offering a dedicated venue for women’s professional competitions. The push to open more locations is tied to larger patterns of increased media attention and public interest in female athletes and leagues.
Next steps for readers
Those interested in updates can look for announcements from the Boston franchise owners about specific location details and opening timelines. Local supporters and businesses may expect collaboration opportunities as the franchise moves from pop-up events to a permanent space.
FAQ
What is The Sports Bra?
The Sports Bra is a women’s sports bar franchise that programs its televisions to show only women’s professional and collegiate sports. It was founded in Portland, Oregon in 2022 and focuses on community-building and support for gender equity in sports.
Is The Sports Bra coming to Boston?
Yes. The franchise announced plans to expand to Boston as part of a multi-city rollout that also includes Las Vegas, Indianapolis, and St. Louis. Specific location and opening date for Boston have not been released.
Which local teams will be featured in Boston?
Planned local teams to be featured include the Boston Fleet (hockey), Boston Banshees (rugby), Boston Legacy FC (soccer), Boston Guard (lacrosse), and the Renegades (football).
Who is behind the Boston franchise?
The Sports Bra was founded by a group of eight friends. Named co-owners involved in the franchise include Lydia Coverdale-Perez and Whitney Edwards. Boston owners have been active locally through a group called Watch With Us Boston.
When will the Boston bar open?
No official opening date or exact location has been announced. Franchise locations operate on their own timelines, and the Boston team will provide details when they are finalized.
How does this relate to trends in women’s sports?
The expansion aligns with rising visibility for women’s sports, including a reported 275% increase in media coverage over the last five years and a growing number of venues dedicated to women’s athletics.
Quick Reference
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Franchise Name | The Sports Bra |
| Founded | Portland, Oregon, 2022 |
| Planned Cities | Boston; Las Vegas; Indianapolis; St. Louis |
| Boston Teams to Feature | Boston Fleet (hockey); Boston Banshees (rugby); Boston Legacy FC (soccer); Boston Guard (lacrosse); Renegades (football) |
| Local Preparation | Pop-up events and watch parties by Watch With Us Boston for ~1.5 years |
| Mission | Support gender equity in sports; uplift women-owned businesses; create community spaces |
| Investor Backing | Original location received investment support including from an early Reddit co-founder |
| Media Coverage Trend | Reported 275% increase in women’s sports media coverage over five years |
| Opening Date for Boston | To be announced |
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Additional Resources
- Boston.com: Best Local Sports Bars
- NBC Boston: Popular Women’s Sports Bar Expanding
- MSN: Celebrated Women’s Sports Bar Expanding
- MassLive: Best Boston Sports Bars
- CBS News: The Sports Bra Opening in Boston
- Wikipedia: Women’s Sports
- Google Search: Boston Women Sports
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Women’s Sports
- Google Scholar: Women’s Sports Bar
- Google News: Boston Sports Bra
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BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
