Oakland to Host Celebration Rally for Olympic Champion Alysa Liu

The free event at City Hall will welcome the figure skating star back to her hometown after her historic performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 8:50pm

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Oakland is preparing to host a public rally at City Hall to celebrate Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu. The free event, organized by Mayor Barbara Lee's office, will take place at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza and is expected to draw thousands of fans to welcome the figure skating champion back to her hometown after her historic performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Why it matters

Alysa Liu's Olympic triumph marks the first gold medal in women's singles figure skating for a U.S. skater in 24 years, making her a source of immense pride for the Oakland community where she trained and grew up. The celebration rally is an opportunity for the city to honor Liu's achievement and showcase Oakland's vibrant local culture.

The details

The rally will take place on Thursday, March 12, with doors opening at 9 a.m. and the official program running from noon to 1:30 p.m. Liu is expected to attend and address the crowd. Tickets for the event were fully reserved shortly after registration opened, with organizers limiting attendance to 7,000 people. Fans unable to secure tickets can watch the rally through livestreams on local TV outlets, the City of Oakland's YouTube channel, and NBC Bay Area's digital platforms.

  • The celebration rally will take place on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
  • Doors will open at 9 a.m., and the official program will run from noon to 1:30 p.m.

The players

Alysa Liu

An Olympic gold medalist in figure skating, who trained at the Oakland Ice Center and grew up in the East Bay.

Barbara Lee

The mayor of Oakland, whose office is organizing the celebration rally for Alysa Liu.

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What they’re saying

“This rally is a celebration not just of an extraordinary champion, but of everything our community represents.”

— Barbara Lee, Mayor of Oakland (City of Oakland)

What’s next

The event is expected to be a family-friendly celebration, with food trucks, non-alcoholic beverages, and a focus on showcasing Oakland's local culture and artists.

The takeaway

Alysa Liu's Olympic triumph has made her a source of immense pride for the Oakland community, and the city's decision to host a celebratory rally instead of a parade reflects the champion's desire to connect with her hometown fans in a more intimate and community-focused setting.