Game Day Guide: Moda Center
Everything you need for your first Portland Fire game.
Moda Center, 1 N Center Court St, Portland, OR 97227. Home of the Portland Fire and Trail Blazers. 19,393 seats for basketball. The Rose Quarter campus sits on the east bank of the Willamette, right off I-5.
Getting There
MAX Light Rail is the move. Rose Quarter Transit Center is directly adjacent to the arena. Red, Blue, Green, or Yellow line -- all stop here. From Pioneer Courthouse Square, it's about 5 minutes eastbound. TriMet runs additional trains on event nights. This is by far the cheapest and easiest option.
Rideshare drops off on the north side off N Interstate Ave. Expect surge pricing right after the game -- walk a few blocks toward the Lloyd District for better rates.
Parking
Rose Quarter garages run $20-40 on event nights. They fill up. If you're driving:
- Arrive 60-90 minutes early for garage parking near the arena
- Lloyd District overflow: Park near Lloyd Center or the Convention Center and walk 10 minutes. Street parking in the Lloyd District is free after 7pm on weekdays
- Budget move: Park at a MAX station further out (Gateway, Hollywood) and ride in for $2.50
Food and Drink Inside
Moda Center has 70+ concession stands. Portland-local vendors make this better than your average arena. Highlights:
- Sizzle Pie -- Portland-born pizza. Big slices, always solid
- Killer Burger -- Portland chain. Peanut butter pickle bacon burger is the move
- Salt & Straw -- Portland's famous ice cream. Lines are long but worth it
- Kama'aina -- Poke bowls. Good option if you want something lighter
- Tamale Boy -- Portland-local tamales
- Daddy D's BBQ -- Pulled pork, brisket, ribs
- Bap N' Noodle -- Korean food
Local craft beer from Pyramid, Portland Brewing, and Laurelwood throughout the arena. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available from multiple vendors.
Lines are shortest right when doors open and during the first few minutes of the game. Halftime is the worst.
Pre-Game Near the Arena
The Rose Quarter area isn't overflowing with options, but there are good ones:
- Spirit of '77 -- 500 NE MLK Jr Blvd. Sports bar with scratch-made food (burgers, wings, fish tacos). Great local draft list. About a 10-minute walk
- Loyal Legion -- 99 local beers on tap. Burgers, vegan options, whiskey. Lloyd District
- Schonely's Taproom -- Right at the Rose Quarter. Opens at doors for events. Get there early
For more restaurant density, head south toward N Williams Ave or the Burnside/MLK corridor. Both are a short rideshare or 15-minute walk.
Seating
Three levels:
- 100 Level (Lower Bowl): Closest to the court. Center-court sections have the best sightlines. Courtside Club includes in-seat service
- 200 Level: Still below the suites. End sections are good value with solid views
- 300 Level (Upper Bowl): Above the suites. Budget-friendly. Moda Center is compact enough that even upper-bowl seats feel close to the action
No designated Fire supporters section has been announced yet. That's something inaugural-season fans will help define. Show up loud, wherever you sit.
Bag Policy
Moda Center does not require clear bags (unlike Providence Park). Size rules:
- 4" x 6" or smaller: Expedited entry, no screening
- Larger than 4" x 6" but under 14" x 14" x 6": Allowed but goes through bag screening
- Over 14" x 14" x 6": Not permitted
- Hard-sided bags: Not permitted (medical bags excepted with advance notice)
Travel light and you'll skip the line.
What to Expect
WNBA games are faster-paced than NBA. More intimate atmosphere. Crowd skews younger and more diverse. This is an inaugural season -- sellout crowds, electric energy, fans building culture from day one. The Fire sold 15,000+ season memberships before having a single player on the roster. Bring your voice.
Accessibility
Moda Center is a KultureCity Sensory Inclusive certified venue. Staff are trained for guests on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing needs.
- Wheelchair-accessible seating on all levels. Up to 3 companion seats per accessible seat
- Assistive listening devices available free with valid ID at Guest Information Booths (entries A7 and A24)
- OneCourt haptic technology for guests who are blind or low vision -- a wearable that lets you feel game action
- Service animals welcome. Must remain leashed or harnessed
For specific accessibility needs, contact the Moda Center box office in advance.
Tips from Portland Sports Fans
- Take MAX. Seriously. Even if you usually drive. The train drops you at the door and you skip all parking stress
- Arrive early for the first few games. Inaugural season energy is real. Soak it in. Doors typically open 60-90 minutes before tip
- Check the weather. Portland in May/June can swing from 80 degrees to 55 and rainy. You'll be inside, but layers help for the walk and the wait
- Eat before or right at doors. Halftime concession lines are brutal at sold-out games
- Explore the Rose Quarter campus. The plaza area between Moda Center and Veterans Memorial Coliseum has food carts and vendors on event nights
- Stay for the end. WNBA players are more accessible than NBA players post-game. Inaugural-season moments happen after the buzzer
Game Day Pack
Portland essentials for Moda Center game nights:
- Portable charger: 10,000mAh power bank -- your phone will die from all the photos and videos
- Layers: Lightweight packable rain jacket -- you're walking to and from MAX in Portland. Be ready
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More Fire
Check the full 44-game schedule for dates and opponents. See all three Portland teams on the combined calendar. For team news, roster updates, and CBA coverage, head to the Fire hub.