Game Day Guide: Moda Center

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 $2.80

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:

• 10" x 6" x 2" or smaller: Expedited entry, no screening
• Larger than 10" x 6" x 2" but under 14" x 14" x 6": Allowed but goes through x-ray 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.

The Fire opened preseason on the road April 29 at Climate Pledge Arena, falling 91-81 to the Seattle Storm (Geiselsöder 15, Barker 14, Leite 12). The first home tune-up is Sunday, May 3 at 4 PM PT vs the Los Angeles Sparks, broadcast on Rose City SportsNet (formerly FOX 12 Plus). Regular-season home opener: Saturday, May 9 vs the Chicago Sky.

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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Away Fans & Visiting Supporters

Flying in to watch your team play the Fire? Here's what to know.

• No designated away section. WNBA arenas don't segregate fans. Sit anywhere you want. Wear your colors.
• Visiting team bench is in front of Section 102. If you want to be close to your squad, that's the area.
• Cashless venue. Card, Apple Pay, or tap only. No cash anywhere in the arena. Reverse ATMs (cash-to-card kiosks) are on the 100 Level concourse if you only brought cash.
• Mobile tickets only. Download your tickets to your phone before you arrive. Charge your phone. Screenshots do not grant entry, so make sure the actual ticket is loaded in your wallet app.
• No re-entry. Once you leave the arena, you cannot re-enter. Plan accordingly.
• Marquee opponents: Games against the Liberty (Sabrina Ionescu), Fever (Caitlin Clark), and Aces (A'ja Wilson) will have the biggest crowds and loudest energy. Check the schedule for dates.
• Game length: WNBA games run about 2 hours. Faster than NBA. You'll be out by 9:30 for a 7pm tip, plenty of time for post-game dinner.
• Post-game: N Williams Ave corridor (10-min walk north) has bars and restaurants open late. Spirit of '77 stays open on game nights. Or MAX back to downtown in 5 minutes.

For hotels near Moda Center, neighborhoods, food, transit from PDX airport, and weekend trip itineraries, see our Portland Away Fan Guide.

Other Venue Guides

More Fire

Going to the home opener? Read what to expect at Portland Fire's first game. 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.