Portland Fire WNBA Team Returns in 2026
It’s official – the Portland Fire is back. The WNBA‘s 15th team revives the name of the original Portland franchise that briefly ruled the league from 2000 to 2002. In their first season at Moda Center in 2026, Portland is set to go viral again with top-level women’s basketball.
Their return isn’t just about playing basketball. It’s about reinventing a name that many fans still remember and turning it into a new identity for a new basketball era. From the branding to the logo, everything is a nod to the city’s roots – but with a nice modern twist.
Portland Fire Logo and Branding Explained
The new Portland Fire logo is already garnering attention. At first glance, it looks great – a great symbol with deep red, blue, brown and pink colors. But look closer and there’s more. The logo features a flaming rose, which represents Portland’s first name, “Rose City.” The top portion of the “P” in their wordmark also represents the outline of Mount Hood, Oregon’s highest peak.
The entire design is based on the themes of fire, passion and pride. The wordmark pays homage to the 12 bridges that connect Portland from east to west, and the overall visual identity is inspired by the curved roof of the Moda Center, where the team will play.
Fans Already Engaged: Over 10,000 Deposits Placed for Season Tickets
The Portland Fire haven’t played a game yet, but fan support is strong. The team surpassed 10,000 season tickets already sold. It’s a huge sign of local interest from fans , and it shows how much Portland has missed a WNBA team.
Reign Sports’ Lisa Bhathal Mraz and Alex Bhathal — who also own the Portland Thorns in the NWSL — are behind the relaunch. Having both teams under the same leadership builds on an already strong foundation for building a dedicated fan base that will support women’s sports year-round.
WNBA Portland Fire Expansion Plans
The Fire will begin play in 2026 along with another expansion team, the Toronto Tempo. But that’s just the beginning. The WNBA has announced additional expansion franchises coming in Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia (2030). It’s an exciting time for the league and reflects the growing popularity of women’s basketball.
RAJ Sports also hopes to develop a shared $150 million complex for the Fire and Thorns. The venue will be built in phases at a former Nike office complex near Portland, with the first phase ready by 2026. It’s a major step toward providing world-class facilities for both teams.
Portland Fire Returns: Team building still underway
While the branding is complete, the Fire still has some key roles to fulfill. No general manager or head coach has been announced yet. Former team president Inky Sun stepped down after just three months, and interim president Claire Hamill — a longtime Oregon resident and former Nike executive — has taken over for the time being.
Hamill has made it very clear she’s committed. “I don’t see this as a short-term thing. If I was here three years from now, I would be happy,” she said recently. Her focus is on building a winning culture, connecting with fans, and making sure the Fire really feels like Portland’s team.
Portland Fire 2026: What’s Next?The next step is hiring basketball leadership and building a team roster. While those decisions are still pending, the early developments are looking good. The community support seems overwhelming, the branding is well-done, and there’s a lot of excitement that Portland can finally rekindle its basketball flame.
And let’s be honest, who isn’t imagining a funky-looking rose logo on the new jerseys? Portland has waited a long time for this moment — and now’s the time to make it memorable.
