There has never been a joint practice facility built for two professional women's sports teams in different leagues anywhere in the world. That changes in 2026, in Hillsboro, Oregon.
The Kaiser Permanente Performance Center is a $150 million, multi-phase campus being built by RAJ Sports, the ownership group behind both the Portland Thorns (NWSL) and Portland Fire (WNBA). RAJ Sports is the only ownership group in the United States that operates both an NWSL club and a WNBA franchise.
The Facility
The first phase is a $75 million, 12-acre campus on NE Aloclek Drive and NE Evergreen Parkway in Hillsboro. The site is a former Nike office complex being repurposed through an adaptive reuse collaboration with Workspace Property Trust.
Designed by Populous, the global architecture firm behind stadiums and sports facilities worldwide, the center includes:
- 63,000 sq ft training facility with a 5,000 sq ft strength training area and outdoor turf zone
- 17,000 sq ft practice gym with two full-sized basketball courts
- Two soccer pitches with outdoor training space
- Recovery lounges with hyperbaric therapy and active recovery pools
- Dining room with a full-time chef and nutritionist offering performance-focused meals
- Yoga and pilates rooms
- Elite training core integrating strength and conditioning, sports science, and sports medicine
"How many times have you walked into a building that was built for women?" said Karina LeBlanc, EVP of Strategic Growth Development for both the Thorns and Fire. "This is a facility where it'll be the first of its kind for professional women's sports."
Medical Partnership
The naming rights partnership with Kaiser Permanente, announced February 5, 2026, makes Kaiser the official medical provider and team physician for both the Thorns and Fire. Doctors from Kaiser Permanente will provide onsite care including sports medicine, injury prevention, rehabilitation, and mental health services.
"Our goal is to have the best care in women's sports," said Lisa Bhathal Merage, governor of the Thorns and Fire and managing partner of RAJ Sports.
Timeline
Construction broke ground in April 2025. The first phase is expected to be ready for both teams' 2026 seasons. Future phases will expand the campus with additional facilities and uses, with the total investment exceeding $150 million.
Why This Matters
Most WNBA and NWSL teams share facilities with their men's counterparts or rent space. The Thorns have historically trained at facilities not purpose-built for women's athletics. The Fire, as a brand new franchise, would otherwise be starting from scratch.
A dedicated, women-first facility designed around the specific needs of female athletes, from training equipment to recovery protocols to nutrition, is a competitive advantage that compounds over time. It's also a recruiting tool. Players choose where to play, and Portland is now offering infrastructure that few other women's sports markets can match.
Combined with Providence Park (Thorns), Moda Center (Fire), and Hillsboro Ballpark (Cascade), Portland's women's sports physical infrastructure is unrivaled in the United States.
The performance center is one piece of a larger argument. Read why Portland is Title Town, or see the community directory for the businesses and organizations building the ecosystem around these teams.
More Portland
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kaiser Permanente Performance Center?
A $150 million training facility dedicated to women's sports in Portland. It houses the Portland Fire (WNBA) and Portland Thorns FC (NWSL) under one roof, designed by global architecture firm Populous. Named via a partnership with Kaiser Permanente that includes onsite medical care. It's one of the largest investments in women's sports infrastructure in the world, and the first facility ever built for two professional women's teams in different leagues.
When does the Kaiser Permanente Performance Center open?
Construction broke ground in April 2025. The first phase (a $75 million, 12-acre campus in Hillsboro) is expected to be ready for both teams' 2026 seasons. Future phases will expand the campus beyond $150 million in total investment. This is part of why Portland is becoming the epicenter of women's professional sports.
Can fans visit the Performance Center?
Details on public access are TBA as the facility opens. It's primarily a training facility, not a game venue. Games are played at Providence Park (Thorns), Moda Center (Fire), and Hillsboro Ballpark (Cascade). Check our game day guides for Providence Park and Moda Center for everything you need on match days.
Which teams use the Performance Center?
The Portland Fire (WNBA) and Portland Thorns FC (NWSL). Both are owned by RAJ Sports, the only ownership group in the U.S. running both an NWSL club and a WNBA franchise. The facility is designed specifically for women's professional athletes, from training equipment to recovery protocols to nutrition.
Where is the Performance Center located?
NE Aloclek Drive and NE Evergreen Parkway in Hillsboro, Oregon, a former Nike office complex being repurposed through an adaptive reuse collaboration. Hillsboro is part of the Portland metro area, about 15 miles west of downtown. If you're visiting from out of town, check our Portland visitors guide for getting around.