Portland will get a WNBA team that will begin play in 2026, sparking fan excitement

Portland, ore (bitter) — The WNBA announced Wednesday that Portland will welcome the league's 15th team to begin play in the Rose City in 2026.

Portland's expansion was years in the making.

A WNBA team coming to Portland was in doubt. Eleven months ago, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbart was considering Portland as an expansion site but backed off at the time.

But now it's about to become a reality, as he announced at a media event at the Moda Center that Portland will get a team.

“Bringing the WNBA back to Portland is a natural fit. Not only does the city support women's sports, but basketball is in Portland's blood. It's the latest milestone in Portland's rich history of iconic basketball moments, and it's the perfect backdrop for WNBA players to make an impact,” Engelbert told Sports & Images from Northwest. Following is a short, snappy and inspiring video featuring women

The Portland team will be owned and operated by RAJ Sports, led by Lisa Vathal Meraj and Alex Vathal.

Although a WNBA team in Portland wasn't a sure thing, what has changed to reward the city with a team?

“Just over time and with discussion, and again the Vathals can discuss anything here at the Moda Center and also talk about their commitment to a practice facility, so it wasn't a single arena, but obviously, I told the senator (Ron Wyden) that “We sent the letter to postpone it, because we said we need more clarity around that, and I think there's a lot more clarity now,” he said in an interview Wednesday.

The team is expected to play 20 home matches.

Supporters will have a say in the team's name, and a new training center facility is being built for the team. Fans can find the team's websitewnba.com/portland.

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon was among those championing a WNBA team coming to Portland.

“Rip City is now a WNBA town, and as Sabrina said, 'How did it take so long?'” he said at Wednesday's media event.

And Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, wearing a WNBA Portland shirt, said in a video message that a WNBA team is a natural fit for Portland and for inspiring girls in sports.

“Portland is the ideal home for a new WNBA team. Portland is already a leader in women's sports; from the Thorns to the Rose City Rollers, to the nationally known venue, The Sports Bra,” she said. “It's a big deal for people who are playing basketball and other sports right now. We see you and we believe in you.”

Fans celebrated the announcement at a block party outside the Moda Center.

Fans of sports bras were also excited.

“Absolutely thrilled,” said Elsie Colgan, summing up Wednesday's news “To see Portland embrace expansion and get teams, I think, is going to be amazing for the city, the sport and The Sports Bra!”

Fans like Colin Bossoin said he was thinking of his own daughter before the team's arrival.

“It's really important for young girls to be able to see and see athletes that they can aspire to and not just male athletes.” He said

While many feel it's been a long time coming, fans like Colgan and Bossoin say they thank the “Caitlin Clarke Effect” for making the new team a reality.

“We're starting to see more and more boys being exposed to soccer players like Sophia Smith, or we're seeing Caitlin Clarke wearing jerseys,” Bossoin said.

Portland is the third expansion franchise granted by the WNBA during this round of expansion, following the Golden State Valkyries and a Toronto franchise, bringing the league from 12 to 15 teams.