Game Day Guide: Providence Park
Everything you need to know for a Thorns match. First time or fiftieth.
The Basics
Providence Park is located at 1844 SW Morrison St, Portland, OR 97205, in the Goose Hollow neighborhood just west of downtown. It has been a soccer and football venue since 1926, making 2026 the stadium's 100th year. Capacity is approximately 25,218 for soccer. The Thorns have led the NWSL in average attendance in 10 of the league's 13 seasons.
The vibe right now: the Thorns are first in the NWSL at 5-1-1, 16 points after a 2-0 home win over San Diego on April 29 (Müller 10', Wilson 64'). Providence Park is the place to be.
Gates typically open 90 minutes before kickoff. Most Thorns matches kick off at 7:00 PM on Fridays or 1:00 PM on weekends.
Where to Sit
The biggest question every first-timer has. Here's the honest breakdown.
| Section | Vibe | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| North End (107-108) | Rose City Riveters. Standing, flags, drums, tifo, 90 minutes of organized chanting. | The full supporter experience. Also the cheapest tickets (GA). |
| West Side (100-level) | Main stand. Covered, seated, excellent midfield sightlines. | Watching the game. Families. First-timers who want to see everything. |
| East Side (200-level) | Elevated panoramic view of the full pitch. More affordable than west side. | Great views on a budget. Includes Tanner Ridge and Toyota Terrace (premium). |
| South End | Behind the goal opposite the Riveters. Added in the 2019 expansion. | Close to the action. Good energy without the standing commitment. |
Our recommendation for first-timers: West Side 100-level or East Side 200-level. You get the best view of the match and the Riveters across the pitch. Watch them in action from across the stadium before you decide to join them.
Getting There
MAX Light Rail is the best option. The Providence Park/Goose Hollow station (Blue and Red lines) is directly adjacent to the stadium. Trains run frequently on game days. From Pioneer Courthouse Square, it's about 5 minutes westbound.
TriMet Bus lines 15, 18, 20, and 51 stop near the stadium. The 20 runs along Burnside and is a good option from NE and NW Portland.
Bike Bus: The Thorns organize a community Bike Bus ride to home matches. Check thorns.com for departure times and routes.
Driving: Street parking in Goose Hollow fills up fast. Paid lots are available on SW 18th and SW Morrison. The SmartPark garages downtown (10th & Yamhill, 4th & Yamhill) are cheaper and a short MAX ride away. Budget $10-20 for event-day parking near the stadium.
Your Game Day Timeline
Here's what the day actually looks like, start to finish.
| When | What's Happening |
|---|---|
| T-3 hrs | If driving, arrive now for stress-free street parking in Goose Hollow. |
| T-90 min | Gates open. Shortest concession lines and least crowded team store of the day. |
| T-60 min | Players warm up on the pitch. Food carts and vendors set up along 18th Avenue outside. |
| T-30 min | Stadium starts to fill. Find your seat, grab your food, settle in. |
| T-15 min | Riveters march from 18th Avenue into the North End. The energy shifts. You'll feel it. |
| Kickoff | 25,000 people, one moment. The first chant hits and you get it. |
| 35th min | Pro tip: hit concessions now. Everyone else waits for halftime. |
| Halftime | 15 minutes. Concession lines are the longest now. Bathroom lines too. |
| Full time | Players walk the pitch to acknowledge fans. Riveters keep singing. Stay for this. |
| FT +30 min | MAX is packed. Walk to the Cheerful Bullpen or wait 20 minutes for the crowd to thin. |
Food and Drink
Providence Park has some of the best food in American soccer. Highlights include:
- Two Stroke Smokers: pulled pork, brisket, legit BBQ inside a stadium
- Bento Box: teriyaki bowls, rice dishes
- Pizza Schmizza: Portland chain, solid slices
- Double Dragon: Asian fusion, one of the fan favorites
- Burgerville: PNW chain, seasonal shakes, Tillamook cheese
Beer options include local craft from Widmer, 10 Barrel, and others. Lines are shortest right at gates opening and during the first 15 minutes of the match.
Pre-game: Bars near the stadium include The Cheerful Bullpen (SW 18th), Spirit of 77 (NE), and The Sports Bra (NE), the world's first women's-sports-only bar, where you can watch the away matches too.
Game Day Pack
Portland weather is real. Here's what regulars bring:
- Rain jacket: Lightweight packable rain jacket. Fits in a bag, saves you from the third-half drizzle.
- Portable charger: 10,000mAh power bank. Your phone will die from all the photos and videos.
- Clear bag: Stadium-approved clear bag. Providence Park enforces the clear bag policy.
- Sunscreen: Sport sunscreen. The 1 PM Saturday matches in July will get you.
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The Riveters (Supporters Section)
The Rose City Riveters are the Thorns' independent supporters group. They occupy the North End (sections 107-108) and create the wall of sound that makes Providence Park one of the best atmospheres in women's sports worldwide. Standing the entire match. Tifo displays. Coordinated chants.
If you want to be in the thick of it, buy North End tickets. If you want to watch the match more casually, the West Side (100-level) or East Side (200-level) offer great views with normal seating.
The Riveters welcome new fans. Show up, learn the chants, bring your voice. Scarves are available at the team store and from RCTID vendors outside the stadium.
Want to sing along? The Riveters lead coordinated chants for the full 90 minutes. "Rose City 'Til I Die" is the one you'll hear most. They're known for singing REO Speedwagon's "Can't Fight This Feeling" in the Portland rain. And meaning every word. You'll pick up the main chants by the second half. Check rosecityriveters.org for the full chant sheet before your match.
What to Wear
Portland rain is real. Even summer matches can get damp. Bring a rain jacket or poncho. Umbrellas are technically allowed but will annoy people behind you. A hood is the move.
Thorns red and green are the standard. For Dark Mode Night (March 20 vs Seattle), wear all black. For Pride Night, rainbow everything. Check the schedule page for theme nights.
Layers are smart. Even summer evenings can drop into the 50s by the second half.
Weather by Month
| Months | Temp Range | Conditions | Bring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar to Apr | 45-58°F | Rain likely | Rain jacket, warm layers, hood |
| May to Jun | 55-72°F | Mix of rain and sun | Light jacket, sunscreen for day matches |
| Jul to Aug | 65-88°F | Mostly dry, warm | Sunscreen, water, sunglasses |
| Sep to Oct | 55-75°F | Dry early, rain returns | Layers, light rain jacket |
Portland weather changes fast. Check the forecast the morning of, but bring a layer regardless.
Tips From Regulars
- Arrive early. The pre-match atmosphere outside the stadium is part of the experience. Vendors, food carts, and fan groups set up along 18th Avenue.
- Buy a scarf. Your first Thorns scarf is a rite of passage. The team store inside the stadium and vendors outside both carry them.
- Cash is mostly gone. Concessions and the team store are card/tap only.
- Kids are welcome. Providence Park is a family-friendly environment. The energy is intense but safe.
- Stay after the match. Players often do a post-match walk around the pitch to acknowledge fans. The Riveters keep singing.
- Pet of the Match is a real thing. The Thorns feature a fan's pet on the videoboard at every home game. Submit yours through the Thorns app or website.
Families & Kids
Providence Park is one of the most family-friendly stadiums in women's sports. The atmosphere is loud and passionate, but safe. Think "25,000 people who really care" not "rowdy bar crowd."
- Best sections for families: West Side 100-level, close to exits, concessions, and restrooms with great sightlines.
- Ear protection: Smart for young kids, especially near the North End. The Riveters are genuinely loud and it's sustained for 90 minutes.
- Arrive at gates opening to settle in without the crowd crush. Shorter lines for everything.
- Halftime is 15 minutes, enough for a bathroom run, but plan ahead because lines are long.
- Post-match pitch walk: Players walk the full perimeter to acknowledge fans after the final whistle. Kids love this. Stay for it.
- Pet of the Match: The Thorns feature a fan's pet on the videoboard every home game. Submit yours through the Thorns app. Kids go nuts for this.
Check thorns.com/tickets for kids' ticket pricing and family packages.
Accessibility
Providence Park has ADA-accessible seating throughout the stadium. Accessible parking is available in the lots on SW 18th. Assistive listening devices are available at Guest Services. Service animals are welcome. For specific accessibility needs, contact the Thorns ticket office at 503-509-5555.
Away Fans & Visiting Supporters
Traveling to Providence Park for an away match? Welcome. Here's what you need to know.
- Away section: Organized visiting supporters groups are placed in Section 223. A minimum of 150 seats are held per NWSL policy. Contact the Timbers/Thorns ticket office at 503-553-5591 to coordinate group tickets. Seattle Reign fans: your tickets are handled through the Reign front office.
- Individual away fans: Can sit anywhere. The West Side (100-level) and East Side (200-level) have the best sightlines if you want to watch comfortably in your away colors.
- Avoid sections 107-108 unless you want to stand the entire match inside the Riveters. You'll be surrounded by 3,000 chanting, flag-waving, tifo-deploying Portland supporters. Not the place to quietly root for the other team.
- Scarf trading is a thing in NWSL away culture. Bring an extra if you're into it.
- Cascadia Rivalry (Portland vs. Seattle): The atmosphere on these nights is another level. If that's your match, prepare for a loud, packed, emotionally charged 90 minutes. It's the best ticket in women's soccer.
- Post-match: Thorns players do a walk around the pitch after the final whistle. The Riveters keep singing. Worth staying for. Then walk to the Cheerful Bullpen or back toward downtown.
For hotels, neighborhoods, food, transit from PDX airport, and full weekend trip itineraries, see our Portland Away Fan Guide. And if you're coming from out of town, our best weekends guide shows which dates have doubleheaders across Portland's three women's teams.
Other Venue Guides
Portland has three pro women's teams playing this summer. The Fire play 22 home games at Moda Center and the Cascade play at Hillsboro Ballpark. You can catch multiple teams in one trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Providence Park?
MAX Light Rail is the best option. The Providence Park/Goose Hollow station (Blue and Red lines) is directly adjacent to the stadium. From Pioneer Courthouse Square, it's about 5 minutes westbound. TriMet Bus lines 15, 18, 20, and 51 also stop nearby. The Thorns organize a community Bike Bus ride to home matches.
Where can I park near Providence Park?
Street parking in Goose Hollow fills fast. Paid lots on SW 18th and SW Morrison run $10-20 on game days. The budget move: SmartPark garages downtown (10th & Yamhill, 4th & Yamhill) are cheaper and a short MAX ride away. Arrive 60-90 minutes early for the closest spots.
What is the capacity of Providence Park?
Approximately 25,218 for soccer. The stadium has been a venue since 1926. 2026 is its 100th year. The Thorns have led the NWSL in average attendance in 10 of the league's 13 seasons.
What are Tanner Ridge and Toyota Terrace?
Tanner Ridge is the premium covered deck on the east side, offering all-inclusive food and drink with excellent sightlines. Toyota Terrace is the rooftop terrace area added during the 2019 expansion, featuring open-air seating above the east stand. Both are premium-ticket sections.
What is the bag policy at Providence Park?
Providence Park enforces a clear bag policy. Clear bags no larger than 14x14x6 inches are allowed. Small clutch purses (4.5x7.5 inches or smaller) do not need to be clear. Non-clear bags, backpacks, and oversized purses are not permitted.
Where do the Rose City Riveters sit?
The Riveters occupy the North End (sections 107-108). Standing the entire match, tifo displays, and coordinated chants. New fans are welcome. If you prefer seated viewing, the West Side (100-level) and East Side (200-level) have great sightlines.
Where should I eat near Providence Park?
Inside the stadium: Two Stroke Smokers BBQ, Double Dragon, Burgerville, and local craft beer. Pre-game bars near the stadium include The Cheerful Bullpen (SW 18th) and The Sports Bra (NE), the world's first women's-sports-only bar.
What should I wear to a Thorns match?
Bring a rain jacket. Portland weather is real. Thorns red and green are standard. For Dark Mode Night, wear all black. Layers are smart as summer evenings can drop into the 50s. Check the schedule page for upcoming theme nights.
Where should I sit at Providence Park?
First-timers: West Side 100-level or East Side 200-level for the best view of the match and the Riveters across the pitch. Supporters: North End (107-108) for standing, chanting, and tifo with the Riveters (cheapest tickets too). Premium: Tanner Ridge (covered, all-inclusive) or Toyota Terrace (rooftop, open-air). Families: West Side 100-level, close to exits and concessions.
What time should I arrive for a Thorns match?
Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff. Arrive at gates opening for shortest lines. If driving, arrive 2-3 hours early for easy parking. The pre-match atmosphere builds about 60 minutes before kickoff with food carts and vendors on 18th Avenue. The Riveters' march starts about 15 minutes before kickoff.
Is Providence Park good for kids?
Yes. The atmosphere is loud and passionate but safe and family-friendly. West Side 100-level is best for families, close to exits and restrooms. Bring ear protection for young kids near the North End. Players do a post-match pitch walk that kids love. Check thorns.com for kids' ticket pricing.
What is the weather like for Portland Thorns matches?
March-April: 45-58°F, rain likely. May-June: 55-72°F, mix of rain and sun. July-August: 65-88°F, mostly dry and warm. September-October: 55-75°F, dry early then rain returns. Portland weather changes fast. Layers and a rain jacket are always smart regardless of the forecast.
Who You'll See on the Pitch
All 27 player profiles on the full roster →
Next Home Match
Sunday, May 17 vs Angel City FC, 3:00 PM PM, MOMVP Match