Oregon’s incoming WNBA team hosted a launch party at the Moda Center Tuesday as part of the rollout of the revival of the Portland Fire, the same name as the franchise that played from 2000-2002.

The Fire already have sold more than 11,000 season tickets, surpassing the WNBA’s previous best. The team will play at the Moda Center, where the original Fire averaged some 8,000 fans a game.

At Barry Manilow’s farewell tour stop at the Portland Moda Center on Wednesday, an Ida B Wells music teacher received $10,000 award from his foundation.

The team will play at the Moda Center, where the original Fire averaged some 8,000 fans a game. But the launch of the team hasn’t been smooth.

Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft who died in 2018, was chairman of the original Fire and the two teams played at the Rose Garden, now the Moda Center.

Apr 13, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) brings the ball up the court past Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray (24) in the second half at Moda Center.

From there, progress was mixed. RAJ Sports broke ground on a training facility for both the WNBA team and the Portland Thorns in Hillsboro, Oregon-roughly 12 miles from the Moda Center-in April.

People attend a launch event announcing Portland Fire as the name of Portland's WNBA basketball franchise outside the Moda Center on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Portland, Ore.

Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft who passed away in 2018, was chairman of the original Fire and the two teams played at the Rose Garden, now the Moda Center.