Celebration of Champions 2026 Lights Up Big Game Weekend
Big Game Weekend brought incredible energy to the Bay Area this year. While many celebrations took place across San Francisco and Santa Clara, Gold Bar Distillery set out to create an unforgettable destination for football fans right here in the East Bay.
Over three days, our Celebration of Champions transformed the distillery into a full-scale fan experience featuring live concerts, football legends, interactive activations, brand partners, media coverage, and thousands of guests enjoying the excitement together.
This event marked a major milestone for Gold Bar's Alameda Distillery as a premier Bay Area event venue, and it is only the beginning.
National and Local Media Spotlight
The excitement surrounding Celebration of Champions extended well beyond the distillery. Multiple major media outlets featured the event and the incredible lineup of activities taking place throughout the weekend.
Featured coverage included:
• San Francisco Chronicle
• KRON4 News
• KPIX CBS News Bay Area
• Patch Alameda
From football legends visiting the distillery to fans gathering for concerts and festivities, the media buzz captured the spirit of the weekend and helped showcase Gold Bar Distillery as a must-visit destination during Big Game Weekend.
Thursday Night Concert Featuring 2 Chainz
Celebration of Champions kicked off Thursday night with an electrifying opening concert inside the Gold Bar Hangar. The massive hangar-style venue transformed into a full-scale nightlife experience, complete with immersive lighting, high-energy sound, and a packed dance floor ready to launch Big Game Weekend in style.
Headliner 2 Chainz took the stage alongside guest DJs DJ E-Rock, DJ Shabazz, and DJ Nekoswavey, delivering nonstop music from doors to close. From VIP lounges and hosted bar experiences to guests filling the floor late into the night, the energy set the tone for the entire weekend.
Opening Night established the momentum for Celebration of Champions as a destination nightlife event in the East Bay, bringing together music, cocktails, and Big Game Weekend excitement under one roof.
Friday Daytime Fan Fest and Football Legends
Friday shifted the celebration outdoors with the first all-ages Fan Fest, transforming the distillery grounds into a vibrant football-themed festival filled with activities, giveaways, and family-friendly experiences.
Guests explored interactive fan zones, games, brand activations, and a luxury gifting experience while enjoying beautiful East Bay weather. Throughout the day, the stage featured appearances from football legends Jesse Sapolu, Joe Montana, and Eric Wright, drawing crowds for on-stage interviews and meet-and-greet opportunities.
Fans also stepped onto the field to test their skills in the Novig Field Goal Challenge, adding friendly competition and excitement to the day’s programming. The festival created a welcoming space for fans of all ages to celebrate the weekend together.
Friday Night Concert Featuring Ty Dolla $ign
As the sun set, the celebration shifted back into nightlife mode with a packed Friday night concert headlined by Ty Dolla $ign.
The hangar once again transformed into a high-energy concert venue as guest DJs Nitrane and Fabes kept the crowd moving from doors to close. The dance floor stayed full as guests enjoyed cocktails, VIP lounge experiences, and the unmistakable buzz of Big Game Weekend reaching full stride.
Bar trucks across the venue served Gold Bar Whiskey, Patrón, and Pacific House cocktails, while late-night barbecue kept guests fueled throughout the evening. One of the most talked-about highlights was Adam, the AI robot bartender, drawing crowds as he mixed drinks and added a futuristic touch to the nightlife experience.
Saturday Daytime Fan Fest and Football Legends
Saturday’s daytime festival brought another full day of fan-focused programming, youth activities, and athlete appearances across the venue.
The stage welcomed football legends Tom Rathman, Jeff Garcia, Dwight Hicks, and Merton Hanks, along with a live performance by Travis King, keeping energy high throughout the afternoon.
One of the most unforgettable moments of the entire weekend came during the Kickoff Challenge, when a lucky participant won tickets to the Big Game. The crowd erupted as the winning kick sailed through the uprights, creating a once-in-a-lifetime moment for the winner and a highlight for everyone in attendance.
From skills challenges and meet-and-greets to games and giveaways, Saturday’s Fan Fest delivered a full day of football-themed entertainment for guests of all ages.
Saturday Night Finale with 50 Cent
Celebration of Champions reached its peak Saturday night with a massive finale concert headlined by 50 Cent.
Inside the hangar, guest DJs AMEN, Romeo, and Papi Chulo set the stage for a high-energy night that brought the entire weekend to a powerful close. Guests filled the dance floor, VIP areas buzzed with activity, and the venue pulsed with excitement from start to finish.
The finale concert demonstrated Gold Bar Distillery’s ability to host large-scale live entertainment and marked the perfect closing moment for a weekend built around music, football, and community.
Incredible Partners and Community Support
Celebration of Champions would not have been possible without the support of our partners and collaborators, including:
• ALS Network
• Shoe Palace
• Just Entertainment
• Patrón
• GHOST Energy
Their participation helped create a richer experience for guests and contributed to the success of the weekend.
And a special (non-human) thank you to Adam the Robot from Richtech Robotics, who kept the cocktails flowing and stole more than a few hearts along the way.
A New Chapter for Gold Bar Distillery Events
Celebration of Champions 2026 demonstrated what is possible at Gold Bar Distillery. From concerts and festivals to fan experiences and media coverage, the weekend showcased the distillery as a premier destination for large-scale events in the Bay Area.
This was the first of many major events to come, and we are excited to continue building unforgettable experiences for our community in the future.
Stay tuned for more upcoming concerts, events, and celebrations at Gold Bar Distillery!