Portland Fire Revived as WNBA Team for 2026

Portland's new WNBA expansion team will be called the Portland Fire, reviving the original franchise name from 2000 to 2002, and will begin play in the 2026 season at the Moda Center. The team, owned by RAJ Sports—which also owns the NWSL's Portland Thorns—will share a new dual-sport women's performance center with the Thorns as part of a strategy to make Portland a global hub for women's sports. The Fire's branding, created with local agency Adopt, features a rose engulfed in flames and includes symbols like Mount Hood and Portland's bridges, with a color scheme of fire red, brown, blue, and pink. Fan engagement has been strong, with over 10,000 season ticket deposits placed and extensive community involvement in the naming process. Despite some early organizational changes, excitement remains high, highlighted by public launch events and a significant show of support. Uniform designs will be announced later.