So just like that, the Portland WNBA expansion franchise has now made a bold firm step towards debuting the league in 2026. There have already been 13 exciting teams giving the women’s basketball fans a thrill to watch, and now it’s Portland’s chance to jump on the bandwagon.
For the fans who have been following the storyline for a bit too long, the team would revive one of its beloved names from the past. The owners, as well as the establishing fanbase, would soon be in full force.
Portland Unveils Official Team Name and Logo Ahead of 2026 WNBA Debut
According to the league officials, Portland’s WNBA expansion franchise would revive ‘Portland Fire’ as its official name. They are bringing back the memories of the original team that collapsed just after two years(2000-2002) in the league.
Interim president Clare Hamill is passionate about making Portland a true hub for women’s sports. During a recent conversation, Hamill shared a message for the team’s fans.
“There’s a vision that is tied to a goal to make Portland the global epicenter of women’s sports. So that’s a big vision, and these two teams, the Thorns and the Portland Fire, fit squarely into that. There’s a vision about having an impact and connecting deeply to Portland and the culture of Portland and the fans with this team, and being a part of the city again,” she said(Via USA Today).
The WNBA’s 15th franchise will revive the name of Portland’s previous team from the 2000-2002 season, the Portland Fire, and is set to begin play in 2026. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/d7FGUNn2Oy
— theScore (@theScore) July 15, 2025
Owned by RAJ Sports since 2024, the new Fire is bringing a fresh look with a colorful logo featuring red, blue, brown, and pink. Additionally, they’re also building a unique dual-sport women’s performance center to share with the Portland Thorns. Thorns are another fantastic team that RAJ Sports own.
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Portland Making A Strong WNBA Comeback
As things are falling into place, the upcoming franchise is not letting any stones unturned. Along with the name and new logos, they are incorporating Portland’s “Rose City” nickname. It features a rose on fire in the primary logo.
The team’s new colors mark a departure from the original Portland Fire’s logo. It earlier depicted a basketball on fire in red, yellow, and black. However, speculation about the name arose after a social media teaser hinted at the revival.
“Our fire never died,” the post captioned while showing images from the original team’s history. The franchise has also registered a trademark for the ‘Portland Fire’ name and a ‘P’ logo.
Reborn. pic.twitter.com/eYRXn2myPF
— WNBA Portland (@wnbaportland) July 14, 2025
The Fire will have its inaugural season in 2026 at the Moda Center in Portland and is one of three new teams joining the WNBA over two years. It includes the Golden State Valkyries in 2025 and the Toronto Tempo in 2026. Additional franchises in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia would join by 2030, aiming to expand the league to 18 teams.
Also Read: Portland WNBA Team’s Sibling Co-Owners Spark Outrage Over Leaked Name Before 2026 Debut