The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has announced that its new Portland expansion franchise will be named the Portland Fire, reviving the name from the original team that played in the city from 2000 to 2002. The team, which will debut in 2026, will carry forward the legacy of its predecessor while introducing a new identity with the ‘Rose on Fire’ logo and a color scheme of red, brown, blue, and pink.
Interim Fire president Clare Hamill emphasized that the team’s return is a symbol of the city’s enduring connection to women’s sports. ‘Our feeling is that the Fire never died,’ Hamill said. ‘Fans have been waiting for us to come back, and we’re back with the Portland Fire.’ She also highlighted the significance of the team’s return to the Rose City, stating that Portland is ready to reclaim its place in the WNBA and reignite its global connection to the game.
The Fire is owned by Raj Sports, which also operates the Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), making the Fire the first WNBA team to be part of a dual-sport partnership. The two teams will share a new joint training complex, marking a historic collaboration between the WNBA and NWSL. This partnership is expected to create synergies that will benefit both leagues by fostering talent development and fan engagement.
The team has already sold over 11,000 season tickets for the 2026 season, surpassing the WNBA’s previous record. The Fire will play at the Moda Center, where the original team averaged about 8,000 fans per game. This renewed interest in the team suggests a strong public desire for professional women’s basketball in the city. The WNBA is also set to introduce the Toronto Tempo as the second expansion team in 2026, expanding its footprint in North America.
The return of the Portland Fire represents more than just a name change; it signifies a revival of a once-popular franchise and a commitment to continuing the growth of women’s sports in the region. With the team’s new branding and strategic partnerships, the Fire is poised to become a major player in the WNBA, further enhancing the profile of women’s basketball in the United States.