🔥 A Movement Reignited: Portland Fire Returns to the WNBA in 2026

Portland didn’t just get its team back. It got its fire back.

Today, after months of anticipation, Portland’s WNBA expansion franchise officially unveiled its name and brand identity: Portland Fire — a revival of the city’s original team and a blazing symbol of what’s to come. It’s a return that feels less like a business move and more like destiny.

In a city that’s long been at the forefront of women’s sports — from the Thorns to generations of diehard fans who filled arenas before it was trendy — the announcement carries weight. It’s not just a new name. It’s a statement. Portland is ready to reclaim its place on the professional basketball map.

“Portland has always championed women’s sports,” said Clare Hamill, the team’s interim president. “This isn’t just about basketball. It’s about reigniting a connection to the game and the city.”

🔥 A Brand Rooted in the Rose City

The Portland Fire brand is bold, modern, and unapologetically Portland. Created in partnership with local agency Adopt, the identity pulls directly from the city’s soul — its bridges, its skyline, and its relentless spirit.

• The wordmark is inspired by Portland’s 12 bridges, symbolic of unity and connection.
• A flame woven into the “P” evokes Mount Hood, standing tall above the city.
• The Rose on Fire emblem marries Portland’s iconic flower with the intensity of sport.
• The color palette — Fire Red, Brown, Blue, and Pink — reflects power, grit, calm, and creativity.

Everything about the design is intentional. It’s not trying to be flashy — it’s trying to be real. Like the city itself.

🎉 The Fans Were Always Here

The rebirth of the Fire isn’t happening in a vacuum. Portland’s fanbase showed up before the name dropped — with more than 10,000 season ticket deposits already on record. That puts the Fire on track to shatter WNBA ticket deposit records, and the team hasn’t even tipped off yet.

It’s a level of momentum that speaks volumes, especially in a league seeing rapid growth and investment.

“Nearly 11,000 deposits before tip-off? That’s not just support — that’s belief,” said Lisa Bhathal Merage, co-owner of RAJ Sports, the ownership group behind both the Portland Fire and the NWSL’s Portland Thorns.

🏀 More Than a Team — A New Era

The Fire’s return signals more than just expansion. It’s a shift in how women’s sports are being embraced — not just in Portland, but across the country.

RAJ Sports plans to open a dual-sport performance center — the first of its kind — where Fire and Thorns athletes will train side by side. The space is designed specifically around the needs of elite female athletes, marking a long-overdue investment in women’s sports infrastructure.

And it doesn’t stop there. The franchise’s founding partners — First Tech Federal Credit Union, Alaska Airlines, and Brandlive — have been named “Community Game Changers,” with a commitment to equity, access, and sustained growth in the game.

🎊 The Celebration Begins

To kick off this new chapter, fans are invited to a launch party at the Moda Center on Tuesday, July 15, with merch drops, meet-and-greets, and interactive activities. That energy will roll straight into Global Women’s Sports Epicenter Week, starting July 23 — a citywide celebration of Portland’s leadership in women’s sports, packed with fan events and youth programs.

👀 What’s Next

The Portland Fire will tip off in 2026 at the Moda Center. Fans can place season ticket deposits now at fire.wnba.com for just $26. Official merch is also available at portlandfireteamshop.com.

Portland didn’t need to be reminded it was a women’s sports city. It’s lived that truth for years. Now, the WNBA is catching up — and the Fire is ready to burn brighter than ever.