Utah Royals FC teamed up with the sports brand Sportsish to host Gameday for the Girls, an experience designed to celebrate women shaping sports and to inspire future leaders. According to an October 26 statement, the event was held ahead of the Royals' October 17 matchup against the Kansas City Current.
Held in The Legacy Club at America First Field, the event hosted more than 150 women’s sports fans for a panel discussion. The discussion was led by Sportsish CEO and Founder Lily Checketts Shimbashi and featured President of Miller Sports + Entertainment Michelle Smith, lifestyle influencer Crystal Yedlin, and Olympian and World Champion Bobsled Pilot Kaysha Love-Powell.
Attendees discussed the evolving landscape of women's sports, navigating challenges as women in the sports industry, and building confidence in the workplace. Michelle Smith emphasized the importance of leading with compassion and creating environments where women can thrive, noting that creating safe spaces and respecting one another can be a game changer for athletes, influencers, and business executives alike.
Kaysha Love-Powell reflected on the progress made in women's sports, stating that the world is slowly beginning to acknowledge athletes on the world's biggest stages, such as the Olympics or World Championships, for their work ethic and ambition.
The celebration included an afternoon of community connection through sports. Fans received gift bags containing Swig drinks and snacks, along with exclusive pins and a ribbon bag charm from Knot + Spool.
Following the panel, Shimbashi delivered the official match ball before the Royals took the field. The festivities concluded after the final whistle with a postgame screening of She’s the Man on the pitch.
The event occurred as the Royals recently achieved a historic milestone by clinching playoffs for the first time in club history following a 0-0 draw against Seattle Reign.
The Royals are scheduled to travel to Sports Illustrated Stadium to face league-leading Gotham FC on Decision Day, which will be held on Sunday, November 1. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. MT and the game will be available to watch on ESPN. Playoff matches will be determined on November 1.
