The WNBA is returning to Portland, Oregon, starting in 2026, with the new franchise set to become the WNBA’s 15th team, the league announced Wednesday.
The WNBA is returning to Portland, Oregon, starting in 2026. The new expansion franchise will play its home games at the Moda Center in downtown Portland and become the WNBA’s 15th team, the league announced Wednesday. “As the WNBA builds on a season of unprecedented growth, bringing a team back to Portland is another important step forward,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement.
The city previously had a WNBA team – the Portland Fire – from 2000-2002 before it folded. During those three seasons, the Fire were 37-59 and never made the postseason. “Portland has a passion for women’s sports and the teams who play in the Rose City, making us the ideal home of the next WNBA team,” Oregon governor Tina Kotek said in a statement. “From the Thorns to the Rose City Rollers to the Sports Bra, Portland embraces a diversity of athletes and fans.
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