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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

The brand's first franchise opens in St. Louis on Nov. 13, while Boston's eight co-owners finish permits at 2 Broad St.

October 28th, 2026: St. Louis set as first franchise opening on Nov. 13

Overview

Updated Oct 14

The Sports Bra Boston is finishing renovations at 2 Broad St. in the Financial District, a 3,243-square-foot space that held Tiki Rock, with signage promising a fall 2026 opening. Every screen will show women's sports, including Boston Legacy FC, Boston Fleet, and Boston Hunters.

Eight local owners who met through a group chat signed on in early 2025. The brand's first franchise, in Maplewood, Missouri, is scheduled to open Nov. 13. Indianapolis has permits and a Small Business Administration loan in hand but no opening date.

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, many from Malden, who ran watch parties as Watch With Us Boston.
5
Franchise locations announced
Boston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, St. Louis, and Portland, Maine.
25+
Sites considered for Boston
The owners looked at more than 25 locations before choosing 2 Broad St.

Voices

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People Involved

Jenny Nguyen
Jenny Nguyen
Founder and CEO of The Sports Bra
Leading franchise expansion to four new cities
 Lydia Coverdale-Perez
Lydia Coverdale-Perez
Member of The Sports Bra Boston ownership group
Co-owner of the Boston franchise
 Dana Marie Cincis
Dana Marie Cincis
Spokesperson for The Sports Bra Boston ownership group
Co-owner of the Boston franchise
 Alexis Ohanian
Alexis Ohanian
Investor via 776 Foundation
Backed The Sports Bra's franchise expansion
WE
Whitney Edwards
Co-owner of The Sports Bra Boston
Co-owner of the Boston franchise

Organizations Involved

The Sports Bra
The Sports Bra
Restaurant Franchise
First franchise opens in St. Louis on Nov. 13; Boston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas and Portland, Maine are still in progress

World's first sports bar dedicated exclusively to showing women's sports.
WW
Watch With Us Boston
Ownership Group
Franchisee for The Sports Bra Boston

Group of eight Boston locals who organized pop-up watch parties for women's sports.
FO
776 Foundation
Investment Foundation
Investor in The Sports Bra

Investment vehicle founded by Alexis Ohanian that backed The Sports Bra's franchise expansion.

Timeline

April 2022 October 2026

9 events Latest: October 28th, 2026 · 2 weeks ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. St. Louis set as first franchise opening on Nov. 13

    Latest Announcement

    The Sports Bra said its first franchise, in the Maplewood neighborhood of St. Louis, would open Nov. 13 with indoor seating for up to 120 and a patio for about 30.

  2. Indianapolis franchise still unopened as permits and loan land

    Development

    The Sports Bra Indy had received building permits and signed paperwork for a Small Business Administration loan, and its Kickstarter passed the $50,000 goal. No opening date had been set.

  3. Boston location prepares to open at 2 Broad St.

    Development

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

  4. Republic crowdfunding campaign closes

    Funding

    The Sports Bra's equity crowdfunding campaign on Republic closes, with five franchise locations planned.

  5. Four new franchise cities announced

    Announcement

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

  6. The Sports Bra launches franchise website

    Launch

    The brand officially invites potential franchisees to invest.

  7. 776 Foundation invests in The Sports Bra

    Investment

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

  8. Watch With Us Boston forms

    Formation

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

  9. The Sports Bra opens in Portland

    Launch

    Jenny Nguyen opens the first sports bar dedicated to women's sports 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.

4

Indianapolis opens before Boston

Unlikely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: WRTV

Indy has its building permits and an SBA loan signed, while Boston is still completing permits with a fall 2026 target and no firm date. If Boston's build-out slips, the Midwest location could open first.

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

(10)
+4
Boston.com The Sports Bra (press release) Republic The Boston Globe Patch GBH Forbes The Sports Bra (press release) WRTV Axios Boston