How to Watch Portland Women's Sports
Three professional teams, six national broadcast partners, one local station that carries them all. Here's every way to watch the Thorns, Fire, and Cascade in 2026.
The Portland Answer: FOX 12 Plus
If you live in Portland and want one channel for women's sports: FOX 12 Plus (KPDX, channel 49). It's the regional broadcast home for both the Portland Fire and Portland Thorns. Gray Media announced the partnership on February 24, 2026. Fire games include pregame and postgame shows produced by Raycom Sports. Thorns get expanded match clearance and weekly storytelling segments. Select Fire games also simulcast on FOX 12 (KPTV, channel 12).
This is free, over-the-air television. No cable subscription required. If you have an antenna, you have FOX 12 Plus.
Next Games
Portland Thorns (NWSL)
30 regular-season games. Six national broadcast partners for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
| Platform | What It Carries | How to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| FOX 12 Plus (KPDX) | Portland's regional broadcast home. Expanded match clearance. | Free over-the-air (antenna) or cable channel 49 |
| CBS / KOIN 6 | 10 regular-season games on CBS (airs locally on KOIN 6), 20 on CBS Sports Network, championship | Free over-the-air (CBS) or cable (CBSSN). Streaming on Paramount+ |
| ESPN / ESPN2 | 36 games including all 8 Decision Day matches, playoff games | Cable or ESPN+ / Disney+ |
| Amazon Prime Video | 27 regular-season games | Prime membership ($14.99/mo) |
| ION Television | 50 Saturday night games (Scripps Sports) | Free over-the-air or cable |
| Victory+ | 57 games including 25 Sunday primetime broadcasts | Victory+ app (free ad-supported or subscription) |
| NWSL+ | 40 out-of-market games not on national TV | NWSL+ subscription |
The NWSL's media deal runs 2024 through 2027. For the 2026 and 2027 seasons, the league expanded agreements with CBS Sports and ESPN and added Victory+ as a fifth broadcast partner. Total NWSL games with national distribution in 2026: 248 across all partners. Check each game's broadcast on the full Thorns schedule.
Radio: All Thorns matches air on KNRK-HD2, with 10 select games simulcast on 910 ESPN Portland. Play-by-play: Lily Crane. Analyst rotation includes Angela Harrison (former University of Portland goalkeeper). Audacy partnership announced April 6, 2026.
Portland Fire (WNBA)
44 regular-season games. The WNBA's new 11-year, $2.2 billion media deal starts in 2026.
| Platform | What It Carries | How to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| FOX 12 Plus (KPDX) | Portland's exclusive local broadcast home. All available games. Pregame + postgame shows. | Free over-the-air (antenna) or cable channel 49 |
| ABC / ESPN / ESPN2 | 25+ regular-season games on Disney platforms | ABC free over-the-air. ESPN via cable or ESPN+ / Disney+ |
| NBC / USA Network | 50 regular-season games on NBCU platforms | NBC free over-the-air. USA Network via cable. Streaming on Peacock |
| Amazon Prime Video | 30 regular-season games streamed globally | Prime membership ($14.99/mo) |
| CBS | 20 games on broadcast television | Free over-the-air (KOIN 6 locally) |
| ION Television | Friday night WNBA games (Scripps deal, 15 weeks May to Sept) | Free over-the-air or cable |
| WNBA League Pass | Out-of-market games live and on-demand. Blacked out for local (FOX 12 Plus) and national TV games. | wnba.com/leaguepass or WNBA App |
The WNBA's new media deal (2026 through 2036) is valued at $2.2 billion, roughly $200 million per year. That's more than three times the previous deal. Over 125 regular-season and playoff games will air nationally each season. The Fire's inaugural season will have more national TV exposure than any expansion team in WNBA history. Check each game's broadcast on the full Fire schedule.
Radio: All Fire games air on 910 ESPN Portland (KMTT-AM). Audacy partnership announced April 6, 2026.
Portland Cascade (AUSL)
25 regular-season games. ESPN is the exclusive broadcast partner for 2026.
| Platform | What It Carries | How to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN / ESPN2 | 50 exclusive games (47 regular-season + best-of-3 championship) | Cable or ESPN+ / Disney+ |
| ABC | One marquee game. First professional softball on broadcast TV in the U.S. | Free over-the-air |
| MLB Network | Select games | Cable or MLB.TV |
| FanDuel Sports Network | Regional coverage of non-ESPN games | Cable or FanDuel Sports app |
The AUSL's inaugural 2026 season marks a milestone: professional softball on ESPN and ABC for the first time. The multi-year deal makes ESPN the exclusive broadcast partner. The Cascade play at Hillsboro Ballpark starting June 9. Local broadcast details beyond ESPN have not been announced. Check the Cascade hub for updates.
Watch in Portland
The Sports Bra (2512 NE Broadway) shows every Thorns, Fire, and Cascade game. It's the world's first sports bar dedicated exclusively to women's sports. If you want to watch with other fans, this is the place.
Spirit of 77 (500 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd) in the Lloyd District carries games and is walking distance from Moda Center.
Can't make it to the stadium? Can't make it to a bar? FOX 12 Plus with an antenna is your free, no-subscription option for Fire and Thorns home games.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I watch the Portland Thorns on TV?
Thorns games air nationally on CBS, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, ION (Saturday nights), and Victory+ (Sunday primetime). Locally, FOX 12 Plus (KPDX) is the regional broadcast home. KOIN 6, Portland's CBS affiliate, carries games in the CBS national broadcast window. Out-of-market games stream on NWSL+. Full Thorns schedule with broadcast info.
How can I watch the Portland Fire on TV?
Fire games air nationally on ABC, ESPN/ESPN2, NBC, USA Network, CBS, Amazon Prime Video, and ION (Friday nights). Locally, FOX 12 Plus (KPDX) is the exclusive local broadcast home with pregame and postgame shows. Select games simulcast on FOX 12 (KPTV). Streaming on Peacock, ESPN platforms, and Prime Video. Full Fire schedule.
How can I watch the Portland Cascade?
The AUSL has an exclusive broadcast deal with ESPN for 2026. ESPN platforms carry 50 games annually (47 regular-season + championship series). One marquee game airs on ABC, the first professional softball on broadcast television in the United States. Season starts June 9 at Hillsboro Ballpark.
What is FOX 12 Plus?
FOX 12 Plus (KPDX, channel 49) is operated by Gray Media and serves as the regional broadcast home for both the Portland Fire and Portland Thorns. The partnership was announced February 24, 2026. Fire coverage includes pregame and postgame shows produced by Raycom Sports. Thorns coverage includes expanded match clearance and weekly storytelling segments. It's free over-the-air with an antenna.
Where can I watch Portland women's sports at a bar?
The Sports Bra (2512 NE Broadway) is the world's first sports bar dedicated exclusively to women's sports. They show every Thorns, Fire, and Cascade game. Spirit of 77 (500 NE MLK Blvd) in the Lloyd District also carries games and is walking distance from Moda Center for pregame. Both are accessible by MAX Light Rail.
Do I need cable to watch Portland women's sports?
No. Many games are available free over-the-air: FOX 12 Plus (Fire and Thorns local games), CBS/KOIN 6 (NWSL and WNBA national windows), ABC (select WNBA and AUSL games), NBC (WNBA games), and ION (NWSL Saturday nights, WNBA Friday nights). For streaming without cable: Prime Video, Peacock, ESPN+, Paramount+, Victory+, and NWSL+ cover different games across the three leagues.
Sources: NWSLsoccer.com, WNBA.com, GlobeNewsWire (FOX 12 Plus deal), ESPN, Front Office Sports, WBSC. Broadcast assignments for individual games may change. Check team schedules for game-by-game details.