Portland to get WNBA team that will start play in 2026, sparking fan ...
The WNBA announced that Portland will welcome the league's 15th team that will start play in the Rose City starting in 2026.
cbsaustin.comDirect answer: Portland is set to welcome a new WNBA expansion team that will begin play in 2026.
Overview
- What happened: The WNBA officially announced Portland as the location for its 15th franchise, with play starting in the 2026 season. This marks the return of WNBA basketball to Portland after more than two decades. [sources indicate the team is joining in 2026 and that local officials and the Bhathal ownership group spearheaded the move]
- Ownership and facilities: The team is being launched by local owners (the Bhathal family) and includes plans for a practice facility and a dedicated branding/marketing push to establish a strong presence in the city.
- Fan engagement: Portland fans and community groups are already rallying around the return, with block parties and public events tied to the Moda Center and surrounding venues.
Context and next steps
- Team identity: The name and branding were expected to be announced closer to the start of play, with fan input anticipated in some branding decisions.
- Schedule: Home games will be played at Moda Center in Portland, with the broader league schedule released ahead of the 2026 season.
Illustration
- Example: A timeline of Portland’s WNBA return would show: 2024 announcement, 2025 preparations (facility and branding), 2026 inaugural season.
If you’d like, I can pull the latest official statements or condensed timelines from specific sources, or summarize what local officials and owners have said about community impact and facility plans. I can also create a brief comparison of Portland’s WNBA launch with other recent expansions if that helps.