Portland’s professional women’s basketball scene marked a much-anticipated return on Saturday as the WNBA’s Portland Fire played their first game in 24 years. The revival of the team drew a sellout crowd of 19,355 fans to the Moda Center, setting a WNBA record for attendance at a team’s debut game.

The relaunch highlights a significant shift in local enthusiasm and support for women’s sports compared to the early 2000s, when the original Portland Fire folded. At that time, the team struggled with ownership and visibility, notably when Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft and owner of the NBA’s Trail Blazers, declined to acquire the franchise, leading to its demise before any player scored 1,000 points. The league itself then had less mainstream media coverage and limited fan engagement.

This time around, ticket prices reflected the heightened demand, with seats ranging from $55 to over $800. Fans, including longtime supporters like Loree Leonard, 63, who previously followed women’s pro basketball and the American Basketball League’s Portland Power, embraced the renewed opportunity. Leonard and her partner purchased premium season tickets totaling $5,300, a stark contrast to earlier eras when viewing was more affordable but less widely promoted.

On game day, excitement extended beyond the arena. Fans lined up early, filling every parking space and bike rack near the Moda Center. Nearby venues like the Sports Bra, the nation’s first women’s-only sports bar, saw crowds gathering well before tip-off. Public transit from suburban areas was crowded with enthusiastic spectators, some too young to remember the original Fire team, exchanging conversations about women’s sports and upcoming local professional softball teams.

Inside the arena, the event featured appearances from well-known Portland figures, including musician and actor Carrie Brownstein and Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. The atmosphere was electric, punctuated by flame displays and a continuous wave among the crowd. Players such as small forward Bridget Carleton emphasized the game’s significance beyond basketball, while the fan base vocally engaged with the action, including booing opponents and leading chants.

Despite the fervent support, the Fire lost their inaugural game 98-83 to the Chicago Sky. Nonetheless, fans remained engaged throughout, with halftime entertainment from R&B singer Ashanti energizing the crowd. The persistence of the audience, with cheers and plans for enhanced fan gear in upcoming games, signals a strong foundation for the team’s future.

This revival of the Portland Fire marks a broader cultural shift, demonstrating that professional women’s sports can draw considerable attendance and passionate followings when effectively marketed and embraced by the community. Both longtime supporters and new fans appear committed to this new chapter in Portland’s sports landscape.