Portland Fire Aim to Make Moda Center the WNBA's Toughest Home Court

New WNBA expansion team looks to capitalize on Portland's passionate women's sports fans.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:22pm by

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A vibrant, expressionist painting in neon colors capturing the raw energy and excitement of a WNBA basketball game, with players' movements and the crowd's enthusiasm dissolving into abstract, colorful splatters.The Portland Fire's inaugural season promises to ignite the Moda Center with a passionate fan base and an electric atmosphere that will make it one of the toughest home courts in the WNBA.Portland Today

The Portland Fire, the city's new WNBA expansion team, is gearing up for its inaugural season with the goal of making the Moda Center one of the toughest home courts in the league. Led by new head coach Alex Sarama, the Fire is looking to harness the electric atmosphere and dedicated fan base that has made Portland a hub for women's sports.

Why it matters

Portland has a rich history of supporting women's sports, with the NWSL's Portland Thorns leading the way. The Fire hopes to continue this tradition and unite the community around the new WNBA franchise, potentially inspiring a new generation of basketball fans.

The details

Newly appointed head coach Alex Sarama, a former assistant with the Cleveland Cavaliers, has experienced the passionate energy of Portland's basketball fans firsthand. He believes the Fire's home court advantage at the Moda Center can be a game-changer, with the team aiming to create an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams.

  • The Portland Fire will play their first home game on May 3, 2026.
  • The team held an expansion draft party in 2025 that showcased the city's enthusiasm for women's sports.

The players

Alex Sarama

The newly appointed head coach of the Portland Fire, who previously served as an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Portland Thorns

The NWSL team that has led the way in Portland's rich history of supporting women's sports, setting attendance records in 2019.

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What they’re saying

“I witnessed the excitement and energy in the room during the team's expansion draft party, a true testament to the city's enthusiasm for women's sports.”

— Alex Sarama, Head Coach, Portland Fire

What’s next

The Portland Fire will play their first home game at the Moda Center on May 3, 2026, kicking off an exciting new era for women's basketball in the city.

The takeaway

The debut of the Portland Fire WNBA team represents the continued growth and popularity of women's sports in the city. With a passionate fan base and a determined coach, the Fire has the potential to create a formidable home-court advantage and inspire a new generation of basketball enthusiasts.