Portland to Host New WNBA Franchise in 2026

Portland, Oregon, will host a new Women's National Basketball Association franchise starting in 2026, making it the league's 15th team. The franchise will be owned by Raj Sports and led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal. Portland was previously home to the Portland Fire from 2000-2002.

Portland, Oregon, has been awarded a new Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) franchise, set to begin play in 2026. This development marks the league's rapid expansion, with Portland as the third new team in two years following Golden State and Toronto.

The new franchise will be owned and operated by Raj Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal. This also signifies the WNBA's return to Portland, which previously hosted the Portland Fire from 2000 to 2002. "As the WNBA builds on a season of unprecedented growth, bringing a team back to Portland is another important step forward," said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert in a news release.

Notably, Portland is recognized for its passionate community of basketball fans and strong support for women's sports. The addition of the Portland franchise brings the total number of WNBA teams to 15.