Portland Fire welcomes fans at the Moda Center in WNBA debut
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 10, 2026, 6:54 PM
Last updated Aug 10, 2026
The Portland Fire have attracted an average attendance of about 14,500 fans per game at the Moda Center, dubbed the 'Fire Pit.' The team, an expansion franchise in the WNBA, ranks fourth in attendance, trailing only the Golden State Valkyries, New York Liberty, and Indiana Fever. Fire coach Alex Sarama emphasized the strong community support contributing to the thrilling atmosphere. The team has experienced mixed success with a 13-19 record. Fan enthusiasm has been bolstered by local culture supporting women's sports, alongside the recent viral recognition of player Megan DiLeo and her corgi, Pancake. The Fire aim to build on this foundation for future seasons as they establish themselves in the league.
- •Portland Fire ranks fourth in WNBA attendance with 14,500 fans per game.
- •Team holds a 13-19 record, their first season since being reestablished.
- •Coach Alex Sarama has praised the community's support and atmosphere.
- •Fire embraces the 'Fire Reignited' theme, honoring their previous incarnation.
- •Local celebrity Megan DiLeo is gaining attention alongside her corgi.
- 6:54 PMYahoo Sports — Welcome to the Fire Pit: Portland embraces its reborn WNBA team
"The fact Portland has shown up for its new WNBA team is, in many ways, unsurprising given the city's long history of embracing women's sports. The Fire have dubbed the Moda Center the “Fire Pit” on game days and the team leans into the motif with pyrotechnics in game introductions. "I think we’ve just been so fortunate, to be honest, all year to have such an amazing atmosphere here at the Fire Pit," Fire coach Alex Sarama said.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
WNBA•Oct 16, 2026, 1:25 PMThe four factors for Valkyries vs. Dream that will decide who wins WNBA Finals- WNBA•Oct 16, 2026, 5:51 AMGray optimistic about her availability for Dream in Game 1 of WNBA Finals
WNBA•Oct 16, 2026, 2:58 AMStephen A. Smith wants WNBA media to be more like him
WNBA•Oct 16, 2026, 2:41 AMValkyries tickets command eye-popping prices, four times higher than 2025 WNBA Finals
WNBA•Oct 16, 2026, 12:27 AMGM Ohemaa Nyanin reflects on Valkyries journey to WNBA Finals
WNBA•Oct 16, 2026, 12:17 AMAllisha Gray injury update: Dream All-Star remains 'day-to-day' ahead of WNBA Finals
