What to Expect at Portland Fire's First Game

Moda Center seats 19,393 for basketball. For context, NWSL record attendance at Providence Park is 25,218 and those fans made it the loudest stadium in women's soccer. Now imagine 19,000 people in an enclosed arena with a roof that holds the sound in. The Rose Quarter campus buzzes on event nights: the plaza fills with food trucks and pregame energy, MAX trains arrive packed, and you hear the noise before you're through the doors.

The Golden State Valkyries proved in 2025 that a WNBA expansion team can sell out and compete from day one. Portland has a different edge: this city has been filling stadiums for women's sports for 13 years. Thorns fans, Cascade fans, and an entire generation of Portland sports fans who have never seen a WNBA game in their city will be in that building on May 9. The energy won't be polite curiosity. It'll be 24 years of waiting.

The visitors? The Chicago Sky went 10-34 in 2025, their worst season in franchise history. But they have Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso in the frontcourt, a top-5 draft pick incoming, and a roster that could look very different after free agency. This is a team trying to build something, playing an expansion team trying to build something. The storyline writes itself.

The Sky are rebuilding under second-year head coach Tyler Marsh. The core is young and talented, even if the wins aren't there yet. Here's who to watch on the other side of the court.

Angel Reese, Forward. The face of the franchise. Led the Sky with 14.7 points per game in 2025 and is one of the most dominant rebounders in the league. She draws attention on and off the court. If you only know one player's name walking in, it'll be hers.

Kamilla Cardoso, Center. The No. 4 overall pick in 2024 out of South Carolina. Averaged 13.6 points as a rookie. Physically imposing in the post. She and Reese form a frontcourt duo that could be the foundation of Chicago's future.

Ariel Atkins, Guard. Acquired from Washington in a blockbuster trade (Chicago gave up the No. 3 pick for her). Averaged 13.1 points. She's an unrestricted free agent this offseason, so whether she's on the court May 9 depends on re-signing.

2026 Draft pick (No. 5 overall). Chicago holds the fifth pick in the April 13 draft. Mock drafts project Flau'jae Johnson (LSU, Reese's college teammate) or Kiki Rice (UCLA). This rookie will likely be in the rotation opening night.

Seven Sky players hit unrestricted free agency this offseason, so the roster could shift significantly before May 9. We'll update this section as rosters solidify.

The Portland Fire selected 11 players in the expansion draft on April 3. Free agency designations began April 6-7, with over 100 players available, including 21 of 24 All-Stars. Signing period April 11. The WNBA Draft on April 13 adds rookies (Portland owns picks #7, #17, and #37). By the time training camp opens April 19, the Fire will have a full roster. See the current roster.

Head coach Alex Sarama has a background in European professional basketball and spent 2023-24 with the Trail Blazers' G-League affiliate. GM Vanja Černivec built the Golden State Valkyries roster through a similar expansion process in 2024. Assistant coaches Sylvia Fowles and Brittni Donaldson round out the staff. They'll have roughly three weeks to build chemistry before the opener.

The front office entered free agency with $7M in cap space and the largest free agent class in WNBA history. Bridget Carleton received a core qualifying offer. Follow the draft tracker for every signing as it happens. We'll update this page as the roster takes shape.

Take MAX. Rose Quarter Transit Center is directly adjacent to Moda Center. Red, Blue, Green, or Yellow line. From Pioneer Courthouse Square, about 5 minutes eastbound. TriMet runs extra trains on event nights.

Parking runs $20-40. Rose Quarter garages fill fast for marquee games. Street parking in the Lloyd District (NE Multnomah) is free after 7 PM and a 10-15 minute walk. Budget move: park at a MAX station further out and ride in for $2.80.

Arrive 60-90 minutes early. Door times can vary by event, and opening night will be packed. Give yourself time to get through security, find your seats, and take it in. This only happens once.

Wear Fire colors. Red and black. Portland is casual. You don't need to dress up for Moda Center.

Eat before you arrive. Rose Quarter has Sizzle Pie, Killer Burger, and Salt & Straw inside, but lines on opening night will be long. Spirit of '77 is a sports bar steps from the arena. Ecliptic Brewing and Ex Novo are a short ride away. Visiting from out of town? Check the Portland visitors guide.

Take MAX if you can. Parking garages fill up on event nights and cost $20-40. Red, Blue, Green, or Yellow line all stop at Rose Quarter. From Pioneer Courthouse Square, it's about 5 minutes.

Know the bag rules. Moda Center does not require clear bags, but size matters. Bags 10x6x2 or smaller get expedited entry. Bags up to 14x14x6 go through x-ray screening. Anything bigger, backpacks, and hard-sided bags are prohibited. Free bag check is available at the P3 Lobby of the Garden Garage near the North Entrance.

Make a weekend of it. The Thorns and Cascade may also be playing the same weekend. Check the combined calendar and best weekends guide for stacking multiple games into one Portland trip.

Bring your voice. This franchise waited 24 years. The players on the court will be playing their first game in a Portland uniform. Thousands of season members have been waiting since before the roster existed. Make it loud.

The original Portland Fire played from 2000 to 2002 at the Rose Garden (now Moda Center). They averaged over 8,000 fans per game. They had Jackie Stiles (2001 Rookie of the Year), Jenny Mowe, and went 16-16 in their final season under coach Linda Hargrove. They folded when Paul Allen declined to buy the team. Portland fans didn't lose interest. They lost their franchise.

In the 24 years since, the city built the most passionate women's sports market in America. The Thorns led NWSL attendance in 10 of 13 seasons. The Cascade launched in the AUSL. RAJ Sports paid $125M to bring the WNBA back and is building the Kaiser Permanente Performance Center in Hillsboro for both teams. None of this happened by accident.

May 9 is the payoff. Not just for the team. For the city.