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Sports Bra Boston prepares to open in Financial District

Sports Bra Boston prepares to open in Financial District

Money Moves Boston, MA local

World's first women's-only sports bar expands to Boston as part of a four-city franchise wave

Today: Boston location prepares to open at 2 Broad St.

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

The Sports Bra, the world's first sports bar showing only women's sports, is preparing to open its Boston franchise at 2 Broad St. in the Financial District. The 3,243-square-foot space, previously home to Tiki Rock, will screen local and national women's games including Boston Legacy FC, Boston Fleet, and Boston Hunters.

Eight local owners who met through a group chat signed on in early 2025. They had organized pop-up watch parties as Watch With Us Boston. The opening tests whether the Portland original's 2022 success can survive a franchise model.

Why it matters

If the Boston franchise succeeds, it could prove dedicated women's sports venues can thrive beyond their original market.

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Key Indicators

8
Local owners in Boston group
Eight friends who met through a group chat and formed Watch With Us Boston.
4
New franchise cities announced
Boston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, and St. Louis were announced in June 2025.
$2.35B
Women's sports revenue in 2024
Projected revenue, a 300% increase since 2022, per a Barbarian and The GIST report.

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

April 2022 October 2026

6 events Latest: Today
Tap a bar to jump to that date
  1. Boston location prepares to open at 2 Broad St.

    Today Development

    The Sports Bra Boston completes renovations at the former Tiki Rock space, targeting fall 2026.

  2. Four new franchise cities announced

    Announcement

    The Sports Bra announces franchises in Boston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, and St. Louis.

  3. The Sports Bra launches franchise website

    Launch

    The brand officially invites potential franchisees to invest.

  4. 776 Foundation invests in The Sports Bra

    Investment

    Alexis Ohanian's foundation backs the business with the goal of expanding through franchising.

  5. Watch With Us Boston forms

    Formation

    Eight Boston locals create a group to organize pop-up watch parties for women's sports.

  6. The Sports Bra opens in Portland

    Launch

    Jenny Nguyen opens the first women's-only sports bar in Portland, Oregon.

Scenarios

1

Sports Bra Boston opens by end of 2026

Likely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: Boston.com, The Sports Bra franchise press releases

The sign on the door reads "Game time: Fall 2026." If renovations finish on schedule, the bar opens before year-end. The ownership group has not announced a firm date, but the fall target suggests a Q4 opening.

2

Sports Bra Boston opening delayed to 2027

Possible Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: Boston.com

Renovations at the 3,243-square-foot space could slip past fall 2026. The ownership group has not announced a firm opening date, and construction delays are common in restaurant launches.

3

All four Sports Bra franchises open by mid-2027

Uncertain Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: The Sports Bra franchise press releases

Boston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, and St. Louis were announced in June 2025. If the franchise model works as planned, all four locations should be operating within two years of the announcement.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

April 2022

The Sports Bra Portland opens (April 2022)

Jenny Nguyen opens The Sports Bra in Portland, Oregon, the first sports bar dedicated exclusively to showing women's sports. It becomes a smash hit, drawing national attention and a loyal customer base.

Then

The bar gains media coverage and proves demand for women's sports venues.

Now

Success attracts investment from Alexis Ohanian's 776 Foundation in 2024, enabling franchise expansion.

Why this matters now

The Portland location's success is the foundation for the franchise model that brings The Sports Bra to Boston.

2024

776 Foundation invests in The Sports Bra (2024)

Alexis Ohanian's 776 Foundation invests in The Sports Bra with the goal of expanding through franchising. The brand launches its franchise website in October 2024.

Then

The Sports Bra begins recruiting franchisees and signs its first owners in spring 2025.

Now

Enables the four-city expansion announced in June 2025, including Boston.

Why this matters now

This investment is the financial catalyst that makes the Boston franchise possible.

Sources

(2)