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Moda Center, formerly known as the Rose Garden, is the primary indoor sports arena in Portland, Oregon, United States. It is used for basketball, rodeos, circuses, conventions, ice shows, concerts, and dramatic productions. The arena has a capacity of 20,500 spectators when configured for basketball.[2] It is equipped with state-of-the-art acoustics and other amenities.[8]

Key Information

The arena is owned by the City of Portland. The primary tenant is the Portland Trail Blazers NBA franchise, owned by Paul Allen's estate. In addition, the Portland Fire will make its debut in the arena in 2026.

The other major tenant of the building was the major junior hockey franchise Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League, which used to split its schedule with the Memorial Coliseum next door. In addition to the Blazers and Winterhawks, several other professional sports franchises, and the Portland State University men's basketball team, either currently play home games in Moda Center, or have done so in the past. In addition, Moda Center is a popular venue for concerts and other artistic productions.[9]

Construction began in 1993, and the arena opened on October 12, 1995. The arena cost US$262 million to build; construction was financed with funds obtained by a variety of sources, including the City of Portland, Allen's personal fortune, and $155 million in bonds issued by a consortium of mutual funds and insurance companies.[10] These bonds would become the subject of an acrimonious 2004 bankruptcy in which the Oregon Arena Corporation, the holding company which owned the arena at the time, would forfeit title to the arena in lieu of repaying the bonds per the payment terms.[11] Allen would later repurchase the arena from the creditors in 2007.[12]

Description

[edit]
Further information on transportation and parking: Rose Quarter § Transportation and parking

Moda Center is a multipurpose arena which is suitable for numerous indoor sports, including basketball, ice hockey, arena football, and lacrosse, as well as for hosting other events such as concerts, conventions, and circuses.[8] The arena is located in a sports and entertainment district known as the Rose Quarter, a parcel of land in inner northeast Portland which also includes the Memorial Coliseum arena, as well as several parking structures, restaurants, and other amenities.

Name

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The original name of the facility was "Rose Garden"; however, the arena was also commonly known as the "Rose Garden Arena" to disambiguate it from the International Rose Test Garden, also located in Portland. The name was chosen both to reflect Portland's reputation as the Rose City,[13] and to reflect the importance to basketball heritage of Boston Garden and Madison Square Garden arenas in Boston and New York City, respectively. When the name was selected, the remainder of the former coliseum grounds were given the name "Rose Quarter".

In 2007, the Trail Blazers and Vulcan announced that they were seeking a corporate partner to grant naming rights for the facility, with the goal of a new name being available for the Blazers' 2008–09 season.[14] In August 2013, the Trail Blazers announced a 10-year deal with Moda Health, an Oregon-based health insurance provider, to rename the arena Moda Center.[15]

The renaming spurred a public outcry and petition by fans and Portlanders who preferred the old name. Portland mayor Charlie Hales initially expressed concern about the name, calling it a "head scratcher".[16]

Structure and architecture

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Moda Center is a precast concrete-framed structure with a roof made up of skeletal steel. The arena structure encloses a total of over 785,000 square feet (72,900 m2), on eight levels, five of which are open to the public. The building height is 140 feet (43 m), from the event floor to the pinnacle of the saddle-shaped roof.[8] The arena includes a 60-by-40-foot (18 m × 12 m) permanent stage, and a 200-by-85-foot (61 m × 26 m) ice rink.[17]

The building is composed of over 48,000 cubic yards (37,000 m3) of concrete, and over 9,700 short tons (8,800 t) of steel. The exterior is composed of over 29,000 square feet (2,700 m2) of glass, 17,500 square feet (1,630 m2) of plaster, 52,000 square feet (4,800 m2) of architectural precast, 39,000 square feet (3,600 m2) of insulation, and 13,654 square feet (1,268.5 m2) of steel louvers.[8][18]

The building, designed by architecture firm Ellerbe Becket, has been criticized by some in Portland's architectural community. A survey of local architects and planners was conducted by the Portland Tribune, and subsequently Moda Center was listed among the five ugliest buildings in the city.[19]

Seating

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Moda Center at the Rose Quarter

The arena has a total of over 14,000 permanent seats arranged in two bowls. An additional 1540 permanent seats are found in the arena's 70 skyboxes. Over 4,200 portable seats may or may not be installed, depending on the arena's configuration.[17] When configured for basketball, the arena has a capacity of 19,393, and can accommodate a total of up to 20,796 patrons with standing room. Prior to the 1998 NBA season the capacity was reduced to 19,980 from the original 21,485 spectators.[20] When configured for hockey or lacrosse, capacity decreases to 17,544. The arena supports numerous other configurations for events such as concerts, monster trucks, and circuses.[8] The seating below the suites, known as the lower bowl, is further divided into the 100 and 200 levels. The upper bowl seats, above the suites, are the 300 level.[8]

Skyboxes and suites

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The arena features 70 Suites and 8 Skyboxes each with a seating capacity of 22 guests. Suites include amenities such as a wet bar, catering, a private restroom, multiple television monitors, and a sound system.[8] Suites may be rented on a yearly[21] or single-event[22] basis; yearly renters of suites are given access to all Moda Center events. The arena also features modular party suites, which can be configured either as a pair of 44-person Super Suites, or as one 88-person mega suite.[23]

Theater of the Clouds

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For smaller, more intimate events, Moda Center can be placed into a configuration known as the "Theater of the Clouds". This configuration, part of a trend of large arenas having smaller theater configurations,[24] places the stage at center court, and utilizes the western side of the arena.[25] Custom floor-to-ceiling theater curtains are draped at the edges of the seating area, creating a more intimate setting. As of 2004, on average 10 events per year have been held in the Theater of the Clouds configuration.[26] The Theater of the Clouds configuration seats 6,500, with 16 of the 70 luxury boxes being usable.[27]

Amenities

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Two concourses, the 100 level and the 300 level, are open to the ticket-buying public during events; the 100 level concourse provides access to the lower bowl (including the 200-level seats); the 300-level concourse provides access to the upper bowl. A third concourse, the 200 level, provides access to guest services such as a sports bar, a barbecue grill, an executive banquet facility, and several outdoor terraces. A fourth concourse, known as Suite Level, provides access to the skyboxes and is restricted to patrons who have skybox admission. All concourses provide a variety of concession stands. The arena also features 32 public restrooms; women's toilets outnumber men's toilets 3 to 1.[8] There are Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the arena.[23] The concourses are decorated with historical memorabilia.[28]

The primary scoreboard is a Mitsubishi-manufactured HD video scoreboard. This scoreboard, which hangs from the ceiling over center court, features four 15 feet by 22.5 feet (4.5 m by 6.75 m) video screens, among the biggest in the NBA.[23] The arena also features over 650 television monitors placed throughout,[8] showing the action on court. Auxiliary scoreboards located both in the arena itself and the concourses provide statistical information, including "hustle" statistics for basketball (rebounds, blocked shots, and steals). Three media towers, one at each main entrance, provide video of other games in the NBA.[28]

Acoustics

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A unique feature found in no other multi-purpose arena is known as the "acoustical cloud". The acoustical cloud is a set of 160 rotating acoustic panels suspended from the Moda Center ceiling, intended to recreate the roar of noise that made the old Memorial Coliseum one of the loudest buildings in the NBA. One side of each 10 feet by 10 feet (3 m by 3 m) panel reflects sound, while the other side absorbs sound. Each panel is shaped like an airplane wing, and is 8 inches (20 cm) thick at the center and 4 inches (10 cm) thick at the edges. The effect during Blazers games is to absorb the noise from the upper levels and reflect it back down to the court.

The panels permit the acoustics of the arena to be adjusted according to the requirements of the event. For smaller events in which only the lower bowl of the arena is used, the panels can be lowered to further improve the sound and increase the intimacy of the arena. The acoustical cloud cost US$2 million to design and install.[29] The arena is also equipped with a JBL sound system.[23] The acoustics of Moda Center have been widely praised compared to similar venues.[26]

Ownership and management

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Moda Center is owned by the City of Portland, which acquired the arena from the Estate of Paul Allen in 2024.[30] Management and operation of Moda Center, along with other Rose Quarter facilities, is performed by Rip City Management, a sister company of the Portland Trail Blazers, also wholly owned by the estate of Paul Allen.

Tenants

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Interior during a Trail Blazers game.

The arena's current primary tenant is the Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA. Both the Trail Blazers and Moda Center are ultimately owned by the estate of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, which also owns the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. The head of the estate is his sister Jody Allen. The Trail Blazers have a lease agreement with Moda Health which runs through 2025,[31] and an exclusive site agreement with the City of Portland requires the team to remain in Portland through October 2030.[32]

It was home to the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League, a Canadian-based junior hockey league. Both the Trail Blazers and Winterhawks previously played in the Memorial Coliseum and moved to the arena when it was completed in 1995. However, the Winterhawks played home games in both facilities during the season. Moda Center and Winterhawks hold the Western Hockey League's record for single game attendance with a crowd of 14,103 on March 15, 1997, in which Portland tied the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds, 6–6. Prior to the start of the 2021-22 WHL season, the Winterhawks announced they will be moving back to Veterans Memorial Coliseum full-time.[33]

The arena is also built to accommodate an NHL franchise and there has been speculation over the years about Portland landing an NHL team; however this has not occurred. A former third tenant was the Portland Lumberjax of the National Lacrosse League, who played four seasons in the arena prior to disbanding.[34][35]

The arena has hosted numerous other minor league sports teams as well. In 1997, an AFL team landed in Portland from Memphis as the Portland Forest Dragons. Two seasons later, they relocated to Oklahoma City. The arena started hosting another AFL team, the Portland Steel (originally called the Portland Thunder), from 2014 until it disbanded in 2016.[36] From 2000 through 2002, the facility hosted the original Portland Fire of the WNBA. In the past, the Portland State Vikings men's basketball team has played home games in the arena; currently, the team plays its home games at Viking Pavilion on the PSU campus.[37]

On September 18, 2024, the WNBA announced that a revived Portland Fire would play at the arena and in Portland for the first time since 2002.[38]

History

[edit]

In the early 1980s, as the National Basketball Association increased in popularity, it became apparent that the 12,888-seat Memorial Coliseum, which was the home of the Portland Trail Blazers at the time, was no longer an adequate NBA facility. The Trail Blazers had sold out every home game since April 5, 1977.[39] In 1988, the team was purchased by Paul Allen and made appearances in the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992. Allen soon expressed a desire to build a new arena for his team, and in 1991 chartered the Oregon Arena Corporation, a private corporation with Allen as the sole shareholder, to build and operate a new facility.[10] The team soon made an agreement with the City of Portland to build a new multi-purpose arena on the Coliseum's parking lot.[40]

A major factor in the choice of the site for the new arena was its close proximity to transit, with MAX Light Rail and bus service at TriMet's Coliseum Transit Center (later renamed Rose Quarter Transit Center) being adjacent to the site. In July 1995, the Portland Business Journal quoted the Trail Blazers' then-president Marshall Glickman as saying, "There is no doubt that transit made it possible for us to build here. The thing that burns everyone in terms of financing big projects like this is parking. The fact that we have a [light rail] stop outside our front door, and the potential for what we'll get with the south/north line made this the only place for us to build."[41] (The "south/north" MAX line referred to was a then-planned line from Clackamas Town Center to Vancouver via downtown Portland, which was canceled in 1996, but partially revived several years later, with the MAX Yellow Line connecting Moda Center with areas to the north.)

Financing

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An exterior shot of the arena

The financing of the construction of the facility was widely hailed at the time as a good example of public-private partnership; most of the costs were borne by Allen and/or Allen-owned companies, rather than by taxpayers.[42] The bulk of the $262 million[10] construction costs were funded by a $155 million loan from a consortium of lenders led by pension fund TIAA-CREF. As Allen was unwilling to guarantee the loan with his personal finances, the lenders demanded an interest rate of 8.99%, with no opportunity for prepayment.[43] Other major creditors included Prudential Insurance, and Farmers Insurance.[44]

The remainder of funds came from the City of Portland ($34.5 million), Allen himself ($46 million), with the final $10 million coming from a bond backed by box office and parking revenues.[45] In addition, the City transferred to Allen the underlying land. The city maintains ownership of the Memorial Coliseum and the adjacent parking garages, but the right to manage these was also transferred to Allen. In exchange, Allen signed an exclusive site agreement with the city requiring the Trail Blazers to play all home games in Portland for 30 years[46] The City of Portland hoped that the building of the arena would lead to other renovation or development in the Rose Quarter district, but as of 2021 this has yet to materialize.[47]

Construction and opening

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Ground on the arena was broken in 1993, and the arena opened on October 12, 1995.[48] The project included the largest construction and demolition recycling program in the U.S. up to that time, in which 32,700 tonnes (32,200 long tons; 36,000 short tons) of construction waste and 308,400 tonnes (303,500 long tons; 340,000 short tons) of dirt were recycled, saving OAC over $127,000. This effort later won the project an environmental award from the city.[49]

The first concert held in the arena was held two weeks after opening, when David Bowie performed on October 25, with Nine Inch Nails opening.[50] The first regular-season game to be played at the facility was the Trail Blazers hosting the then-Vancouver Grizzlies on November 3, 1995, a 92–80 defeat for the home team.[10] The arena was originally capable of seating 20,340 spectators for NBA basketball. Its capacity has since been reduced to 19,393 by subsequent modifications. At the time of its construction, the arena was a state-of-the-art facility. Although more recent NBA arenas have surpassed Moda Center in amenities, it still is well regarded as a facility.[28] A 2005 survey by USA Today ranked the facility in the middle of the pack among the 29 NBA arenas; factors unrelated to the venue itself (such as ticket prices and entertainment offerings) are considered in the rankings.[51]

Soon after the arena opened, it was the subject of several lawsuits seeking to enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act. One lawsuit (United States v. Ellerbe Becket, Inc.) was filed by the United States Department of Justice against architect Ellerbe-Becket; another (Independent Living Resources v. Oregon Arena Corporation) was filed by a disabled advocacy group against OAC. Both lawsuits alleged that Moda Center (and other facilities designed by Ellerbe Becket) did not provide adequate seating for patrons using wheelchairs, and that the line-of-sight of patrons in wheelchairs was frequently obstructed by standing spectators.[52] The first case was settled with a consent decree, wherein Ellerbe Becket agreed to design future projects in compliance with the ADA;[53] the lawsuit against Oregon Arena Corp was resolved in 1998 when OAC agreed to install over one hundred elevated seats permitting wheelchair-using patrons to see over standing spectators in front.[54]

Oregon Arena Corporation bankruptcy

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Main article: Rose Garden arena bankruptcy

Claiming the local economy was responsible for reduced revenues which made it unable to make payments on the loans used to finance construction, the Oregon Arena Corporation filed for bankruptcy on February 27, 2004. After negotiations concurrent with the bankruptcy failed to produce a settlement, the United States Bankruptcy Court ordered on November 8 of that year that the Oregon Arena Corporation transfer the facility to the creditors.[55] A new corporation owned by the creditors, Portland Arena Management (PAM) took over operation of the arena.[11] PAM in turn hired Global Spectrum to operate the arena. For several years, the Trail Blazers (still owned by Allen) and the Portland Arena Management had a highly hostile relationship,[56] with the two entities competing for ticket sales.[57]

The team made numerous complaints about a "broken economic model",[58] and there was much speculation that the Trail Blazers might leave.[59] The team was put up for sale in the summer of 2006,[60] only to be taken off the market again several months later.[61] Speculation intensified as to what would happen,[62] and the team and Paul Allen were roundly criticized in the media.[44][62][63][64][65] Despite the criticism and the team's poor finances the team insisted that bankruptcy was the right move.[66]

Early in 2007, Allen and the creditors reached an agreement for Allen to repurchase the arena, and the team and the building were united under common ownership once more.[12] After much speculation that Allen would hire Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) to replace Global Spectrum, arena management elected to extend Global Spectrum's management contract by one year in the summer of 2007.[67] In September 2007, Global Spectrum announced that the arena would undergo $13 million in renovations.[23]

Notable events

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Moda Center at night

While Moda Center has never hosted the NBA Finals (Portland's last appearance in the Finals was in 1992, three years before the arena opened), it has hosted three NBA Western Conference Finals series: in 1999 vs. the San Antonio Spurs; in 2000 vs. the Los Angeles Lakers; and in 2019 vs. the Golden State Warriors. One NBA-related event Moda Center—and for that matter, the Trail Blazers franchise—has never hosted is the NBA All-Star Game. The Trail Blazers are one of several franchises to never host an All-Star game; the Blazers' All-Star drought of 42 years is second only to the Boston Celtics, who last hosted the game in 1964. According to the Oregon Sports Authority, the main issue is hotel space close to the arena; the city of Portland lacks the large "headquarters" hotel needed to host the NBA and media entourage which accompanies the game.[68]

Moda Center has also hosted PBR Built Ford Tough Series bull riding events.

The arena has hosted various WWE events, including Unforgiven in 2004, No Mercy in 2008, and NXT TakeOver: Portland in 2020. The arena has also hosted various episodes of Raw and SmackDown.[69]

The arena has also hosted UFC 102 in 2009.

In 2004, Portland was selected as one of five cities in the U.S. to host the Dew Action Sports Tour, a new extreme sports franchise to start in 2005. Titled the Vans Invitational, the event was held at the Rose Quarter from August 17 to 21. The Rose Quarter hosted BMX: Dirt and Freestyle Motocross. The Dew Action Sports returned to Portland for a third year.[70]

In the winter of 2005, the Rose Quarter hosted the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, an event attended by over 100,000 spectators.[71] The arena would later host the 2007 NLL All Star Game on March 10, 2007.[72]

In 2009, the arena hosted first- and second-round games of the NCAA men's basketball tournament as well as in 2015 and 2022. It was the first time NCAA men's tournament games were played in the state of Oregon since 1983, though the arena did host the finals of the 2008 Big Sky Conference men's basketball tournament. The state had been under an NCAA-imposed tournament embargo due to sports betting being legal in the state (specifically, the Oregon Lottery's "Sports Action" game, a parlay game which allowed bettors to wager on NFL games), but was awarded 2009 tournament games when the state Legislature eliminated Sports Action from the lottery's lineup.[73] In addition to sports, the arena regularly hosts numerous other types of events, including concerts, circuses, ice shows, and conventions.[8] Portland State University holds its spring commencement ceremonies at the arena.[74]

Notable non-sports related events include the 1998 Portland State commencement ceremony, where the keynote speaker was then U.S. President Bill Clinton. The President, speaking before a packed house in the Garden (including a graduating class of 2000), gave a speech embracing immigration to the United States, and was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the university.[75]

On June 27, 2000, a concert by former Pink Floyd member Roger Waters at the arena became the basis for the concert video In the Flesh: Live.[76]

On September 8, 2007, Beyoncé performed at the arena as part of her The Beyoncé Experience.

On April 24, 2012, British rock band Coldplay performed a sold-out show at the arena as part of their Mylo Xyloto Tour. On October 2, 2017, the band came back to the arena during their A Head Full of Dreams Tour. The band covered Free Fallin' with Peter Buck of R.E.M. there as a tribute to Tom Petty following his death that day.[77]

Lady Gaga performed at the arena on January 15, 2013, as part of her Born This Way Ball tour trek through North America. This was one of the few shows the singer completed in the United States before she was forced to cancel the remainder of the tour due to a labral tear of the hip.[78]

On Sunday, August 9, 2015, Bernie Sanders held a campaign rally at Moda Center that was attended by over 28,000 people.[79]

On April 9, 2017, Radiohead performed at the arena for the first time during their A Moon Shaped Pool tour. It was also their first concert in Portland since 1996.[80]

On October 1, 2019, AJR headlined the theater in Moda Center for their Neotheater World Tour.

The exterior of Moda Center was featured in How I Met Your Mother's 2011 episode, Tick Tick Tick; again in the 2013 episode Platonish, and the series finale episode, Last Forever.

The exterior of Moda Center was also featured in iCarly's 2009 episode, iFight Shelby Marx.

On August 22, 2021, Guns N' Roses played a show as part of their 2020 Tour.

On November 8, 2021, Harry Styles performed a sold-out show as part of his Love On Tour.

On March 29, 2022, Dua Lipa performed a sold-out show as part of her Future Nostalgia Tour.

On April 5, 2022, Olivia Rodrigo performed a sold-out show as the first show on her Sour Tour.[81]

On June 27, 2022, Shawn Mendes performed a sold-out show, as the first show on his Wonder: The World Tour.

On November 4, 2022, Lizzo performed a sold-out show on her The Special Tour. 6 days later, on November 10, 2022, she performed another sold-out show on the same tour.

On April 24, 2024, AJR performed their second show in the arena.

On August 10, 2024, Olivia Rodrigo performed her second show in the arena on her Guts World Tour.

On September 5, 2024, Gracie Abrams kicked off her The Secret of Us Tour with a sold-out show.

On December 8, 2024, Billie Eilish performed a sold-out show on her Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour

On April 20, 2025, Phish performed their first show in Portland in over 25 years in the arena.

On September 19, 2025, Linkin Park performed a show at the arena as part of the From Zero World Tour promoting their eighth studio album, From Zero.[82]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Moda Center

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Moda Center is a multi-purpose indoor arena in , that opened in the fall of 1995 as the Rose Garden. Renamed the Moda Center in 2013 following a ten-year agreement with Moda Health, it primarily serves as the home venue for the National Basketball Association's . The arena, developed by at a construction cost of $267 million, has a capacity of approximately 20,000 for basketball events. Located in the Rose Quarter district along the , the Moda Center hosts a range of events including concerts, family shows, and other sporting competitions such as those of the Western Hockey League's . Notable features include its Theater of the Clouds configuration for more intimate gatherings accommodating 3,000 to 6,500 people, and it has earned Gold certification in 2010 as the first major league sports facility to achieve this, later upgraded to Platinum in 2019. The venue has hosted significant events like early rounds of the NCAA in 2009 and 2015, as well as the U.S. Championships in 2005. In recent years, initiatives such as AI-powered and arena-wide reusable cup usage have been implemented, positioning it as a leader in eco-friendly operations among North American sports venues.

Physical Characteristics

Naming and Sponsorship History

The Moda Center opened on October 12, 1995, as the , without any corporate sponsorship, bucking the trend of sponsored arena names common in venues at the time. The arena, constructed at a cost of $262 million and financed through public bonds and private investment, retained this non-sponsored name for nearly 18 years, reflecting owner Paul Allen's preference via his company Vulcan Inc. On August 13, 2013, the announced a 10-year agreement with Moda Health, an Oregon-based provider formerly known as ODS Health Plans, renaming the venue the Moda Center effective immediately. The full name became Moda Center at the Rose Quarter, with the deal valued at roughly $4 million annually and totaling around $40 million over its term, representing the arena's first such sponsorship. The partnership aimed to align Moda Health's rebranding efforts with the venue's high visibility, hosting over 200 events yearly. The renaming drew public backlash, including online petitions from fans attached to the original name evoking Portland's rose gardens, though the change proceeded without alteration. Despite Moda Health's subsequent financial challenges in the mid-2010s, the held through the agreement's 2023 expiration, and as of 2025, the venue continues to operate under the Moda Center name without a reported change.
PeriodNameSponsor Details
1995–2013None
2013–2023Moda Center at the Rose QuarterModa Health (10-year, ~$40 million deal)
2023–presentModa Center at the Rose QuarterName retained post-deal; no new sponsor announced

Architectural Design and Structure

The Moda Center, originally built as the Rose Garden Arena, was designed by the architectural firm Ellerbe Becket, which specialized in sports venues. Construction commenced in 1993 under the general contracting joint venture of Turner Construction Company and Drake Construction Company. The arena opened on October 12, 1995. The structure utilizes a precast concrete frame to support the primary building envelope, combined with a skeletal steel roof system engineered for expansive clear spans. The roof consists of radial trusses extending from a perimeter compression ring to a central tension ring, creating an open framework that admits natural light while minimizing material use and construction costs through rational engineering choices approved by city officials. This design facilitates versatile event configurations, including basketball games and concerts, by providing unobstructed sightlines and structural flexibility. Steel fabrication and erection for the roof and other elements were handled by Supreme Steel (formerly Canron Portland), contributing to the arena's durable framework. Subsequent renovations, including roof replacement in recent years, have maintained the original structural integrity while updating systems for modern performance demands.

Seating Capacity and Layout

The Moda Center has a seating capacity of 19,393 for NBA games, accommodating spectators across its multi-level configuration. This includes floor seating directly adjacent to the , lower sections for closer views, and elevated upper levels for broader perspectives. For concerts and other events, capacity varies by stage setup, reaching up to 20,000 in an in-the-round configuration or approximately 12,500 for end-stage arrangements with extensive production elements. The arena's layout features three primary seating tiers: the lower bowl (sections 100-118), which encircles the and provides optimal sightlines; the club level (200 sections), offering premium access with enhanced amenities; and the upper terrace level (300 sections), positioned higher for panoramic views. sections for typically span rows 1 through 49, with seats numbered sequentially from 1 to around 42 per row. The venue also includes 70 luxury suites and 8 skyboxes, providing private seating for up to 1,540 additional guests in enclosed, catered spaces. These suites are located on dedicated levels, with capacities ranging from 4 to 22 persons depending on the type, and offer VIP and exclusive entrances. Accessibility features are integrated throughout, including designated wheelchair spaces and companion seating in multiple sections across all levels, ensuring compliance with ADA standards. The flexible design allows for reconfiguration, such as removing portions of the lower bowl for stage setups, which adjusts the effective capacity accordingly.

Amenities and Facilities

The Moda Center features three main concourses equipped with hotspots and a cash-free for concessions and merchandise. Concession stands offer diverse options including local specialties such as from Top Burmese, from Fifty Licks, and from Fusion Shave Ice, alongside standard arena fare like burgers from Killer Burger and pizza from ; stands are distributed across Sections 100, 200, and 300 levels, with all locations accepting debit and credit cards. Premium facilities include various suite types on the Umpqua Bank Suite Level, such as Flex Suites accommodating 8-12 guests with private bathrooms and in-suite bars, Executive Suites for up to 16 guests (expandable), and larger Party Suites for 35-70 guests; these provide VIP entrances, complimentary parking in the Garden Garage, and catering via with options like experiences, serviced by staff trained by the Ritz Carlton Leadership Center. Parking encompasses over 2,500 spaces across four garages and two surface lots, including the attached Garden Garage with 1,038 spaces (24 ADA-accessible and 8 EV charging stations) and the Annex Garage with 350 spaces (9 ADA and 2 EV); event-specific reservations are recommended via official channels. Accessibility amenities comprise wheelchair-accessible restrooms with color-coded walls (red for women's, black for men's), assisted listening devices, wheelchair escorts, sensory bags for inclusivity, and dedicated seating areas where companion chairs can be removed; concessions and seating are fully navigable by wheelchair, with first aid stations and a guest assistance text line (503-803-7030) available. Additional facilities include charging stations throughout concourses and lost-and-found services at guest services desks.

Acoustics and Audio Performance

The Moda Center, originally constructed as the Rose Garden Arena and opened in 1995, incorporates acoustical treatments such as Sonex acoustical foam panels to control reverberation and achieve targeted sound reduction goals in its multi-purpose design. The venue's house audio system includes JBL components, which support announcements, music playback during events, and integration with event-specific setups. In October 2025, the Portland Trail Blazers completed a center-hung scoreboard upgrade that incorporated new speakers seamlessly into the existing audio infrastructure, aiming to improve even coverage and clarity across the arena's approximately 19,000 seats for basketball games and other programming. For concerts and large-scale audio events, performance relies heavily on touring production companies deploying custom systems tailored to the arena's geometry, as the house PA is supplemented or replaced by these rigs. A notable example occurred during the September 2025 PDX Crusade, where Spectrum Sound deployed a JBL Professional VTX A Series line array with 14 VTX A12 enclosures per side, subwoofers, and Crown amplification, delivering high-fidelity sound with consistent coverage and impact to thousands of attendees despite the venue's challenges. User reports on concert acoustics vary, with some praising clarity in optimized setups for events like barbershop harmony competitions, while others criticize muddled sound, excessive bass from overhead arrays, or echo in floor seating during shows by acts such as Rush in 2015 or unspecified music performances. These inconsistencies highlight the arena's inherent acoustic profile—shaped by its hard surfaces and fan-focused layout—which demands precise engineering from production teams to mitigate issues like uneven dispersion in upper levels or low-frequency buildup on the floor.

Ownership and Management

Ownership Timeline

The Moda Center, originally known as the Rose Garden Arena, was constructed and initially owned by Oregon Arena Corp., a subsidiary of Vulcan Inc., the holding company of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who financed its $262 million development as the new home for the Portland Trail Blazers. In February 2004, Oregon Arena Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection amid cumulative losses exceeding $20 million over the prior nine years, primarily due to high debt service on bonds issued for construction. Rather than restructure the debt at elevated interest rates demanded by lenders, Allen elected to surrender ownership of the arena to creditors. A bankruptcy court approved the transfer of assets to a creditor-formed entity, Portland Arena Management LLC, effective December 31, 2004, granting the new owners operational control under a long-term lease with the Trail Blazers. In February 2007, Paul Allen signed a letter of intent to repurchase the arena from the creditor group for approximately $67.5 million, regaining ownership through Vulcan Inc. affiliates by mid-year. Ownership remained with Vulcan Inc. following Allen's death in October 2018, transitioning to his estate under the management of his sister, Jody Allen, as chair of Vulcan Sports and Entertainment. By 2024, the arena was held by Rip City Management LLC, a Trail Blazers-affiliated entity, which transferred building ownership to the City of Portland on August 8, 2024, for a nominal $1 as part of a bridge lease extension securing the team's tenancy through at least 2030 amid redevelopment plans; the city simultaneously purchased an underlying land parcel for $7.13 million.

Operational Management

Rip City Management, an affiliate of the Portland Trail Blazers organization, oversees the day-to-day operations of the Moda Center, encompassing event logistics, facility upkeep, , and visitor experience protocols such as cashless payments and prohibited items policies. Following the City of Portland's acquisition of the arena structure in August 2024, Rip City Management retained full operational authority, including staffing and maintenance responsibilities, under a renewed extending Trail Blazers tenancy through at least 2030. Andrea Zahn serves as General Manager of the Rose Quarter campus, directing operations across the Moda Center and adjacent Veterans Memorial Coliseum since July 2023, with emphasis on integrated campus-wide efficiency. Alli Stangel Tassin, as Senior Vice President of Venue Operations, manages event planning, facilities logistics, and infrastructure enhancements, including a 5G network rollout planned for early 2026 in partnership with American Tower to boost connectivity. Jackie Ventura, Vice President of Facility Operations, supervises building maintenance, practice facility coordination, and sustainability initiatives, contributing to the arena's LEED Operations and Maintenance Platinum certification achieved as the first for a U.S. arena under that standard. Operational enhancements include the installation of five Evolv Express screening systems in August 2024 for expedited entry during peak concert and NBA seasons, and a centerhung videoboard upgrade completed on October 3, 2025, by Anthony James Partners to improve in-arena visuals. Business operations, including concessions, fall under specialized roles like Sean Palmese, appointed in September 2025 with prior experience at . These efforts prioritize fan safety, technological integration, and environmental performance amid high-volume usage for over 200 annual events.

Financial Structure and Sponsorship Deals

The Moda Center, originally constructed as the Rose Garden Arena, was financed primarily through private means, with Paul Allen securing a $155 million loan personally guaranteed to fund its 1995 development, avoiding direct public subsidies common in many contemporary sports venues. This structure relied on Allen's ownership entity, later managed under Vulcan Inc., which covered construction costs estimated at around $262 million including interest and additional loans such as $16 million from Bank of America-Seafirst Bank. Operational revenues from tenants like the Portland Trail Blazers supplemented debt servicing until financial strains led to the arena's 2002 bankruptcy filing under Portland Arena Management, which restructured obligations and stabilized finances without taxpayer bailouts. Ownership transitioned to the City of Portland on August 7, 2024, via a bridge agreement with Rip City Management LLC—a Trail Blazers affiliate—which transferred the arena building for a nominal $1 fee plus $7.13 million for an underlying land parcel, enabling easier access to public debt financing for renovations amid the team's extension through 2030. This public acquisition, funded partly through the city's Spectator Venues and Visitor Activities Fund derived from event user fees, positions the facility for potential public-private partnerships, including upgrades proposed by new Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon's group in 2025, while Rip City retains operational control. Sponsorship revenue bolsters the financial model, with the marquee naming rights deal signed in August 2013 between the Trail Blazers and Moda Health, an Oregon-based insurer, renaming the venue for a 10-year term valued at approximately $40 million, equating to $4 million annually plus inclusions like television, radio, and digital advertising inventory. The agreement, which supported community initiatives around the Rose Quarter, extended implicitly beyond its 2023 expiration given the venue's continued branding and Moda Health's ongoing promotional ties, though specific renewal terms remain undisclosed. Additional ancillary sponsorships contribute to non-ticket revenues, but form the core of such deals, funding operations without altering the underlying public-private dynamics.

Tenants and Events

Primary Sports Tenants

The primary sports tenant of the Moda Center is the , the (NBA) franchise based in . The Trail Blazers have hosted their home games at the arena continuously since its opening on October 12, 1995, when it succeeded the Portland Memorial Coliseum as the team's venue. This arrangement positions the Moda Center as the central hub for the team's regular-season schedule, which includes 41 home games per NBA season, as well as postseason contests during qualifying years. From 1995 to 2021, the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL) also served as a key sports tenant, utilizing the arena for junior ice hockey matches before relocating to the adjacent Veterans Memorial Coliseum to accommodate ongoing renovations and operational needs at the Moda Center. Other professional teams, such as the short-lived Portland Fire of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) from 2000 to 2002, have sporadically used the facility for home games, though none have achieved the longstanding primary status of the Trail Blazers. The arena occasionally hosts collegiate basketball, including games for Portland State University's Vikings men's team, but these do not constitute primary tenancy. As of 2025, the Trail Blazers remain the sole ongoing primary sports tenant amid discussions of potential WNBA expansion to Portland in 2026.

Concert and Entertainment Usage

The Moda Center functions as a premier venue for concerts and diverse entertainment productions in , beyond its primary role in professional basketball. Opened in 1995 as the Arena, it hosted its first concert on October 25, 1995, featuring and in a double bill. The arena's flexible design allows reconfiguration for various stage setups, supporting end-stage concerts with capacities around 12,500 to 15,000 seats and in-the-round formats accommodating up to 20,000 attendees. Over the years, the venue has presented performances by major artists across genres, including rock acts like during their 2017 tour and contemporary pop and hip-hop shows by groups such as Maroon 5. Recent events include in August 2023 and ongoing tours by artists like and as of 2025. These concerts contribute significantly to the arena's event portfolio, drawing large crowds and showcasing its acoustics tailored for live music. In addition to musical performances, the Moda Center hosts family entertainment such as ice shows, circuses, and rodeos, leveraging its multi-purpose layout for non-concert spectacles. These events, including Disney on Ice productions and similar touring shows, utilize the arena's ice-making capabilities and expansive floor space, broadening its appeal to varied audiences. The venue's entertainment usage underscores its role as a key cultural hub, with annual programming balancing high-energy concerts and accessible family outings.

Other Event Categories

The Moda Center hosts a range of family entertainment shows, events, motorsports exhibitions, and occasional circuses or rodeos, utilizing its configurable floor space and capacity exceeding 19,000 seats for these diverse gatherings. Family productions, such as , feature prominently, with "Disney on Ice presents Let's Dance" set for multiple performances starting October 16, 2025. These events draw crowds with scripted routines based on characters, accommodating the arena's ice-making capabilities installed for such shows. Professional wrestling promotions, particularly , regularly utilize the venue for televised tapings and live spectacles; examples include Friday Night SmackDown on January 10, 2025, and : Portland on February 16, 2020, which featured championship matches and drew over 10,000 attendees. Earlier events, such as RAW on February 12, 2007, underscore its longstanding suitability for ring setups and crowd configurations. Motorsports exhibitions like involve monster trucks performing stunts on a track laid over the floor, with events from February 28 to March 2, 2025, crowning Grave Digger as the winner based on freestyle and points. These high-energy shows emphasize vehicle and audience interaction, recurring annually to capitalize on the venue's structural reinforcements for . The arena occasionally accommodates circuses and rodeos, which require temporary staging for animal acts, equestrian events, or acrobatics, as supported by its of hosting such productions alongside ice shows. Additionally, it facilitates conventions and trade shows, providing exhibit space for business gatherings beyond entertainment-focused events.

Historical Background

Planning and Financing Phase

In the late 1980s, following Paul Allen's acquisition of the Portland Trail Blazers in 1988, the franchise identified the need for a modern arena to replace the aging Memorial Coliseum, which lacked sufficient luxury suites, club seating, and revenue-generating amenities required for NBA competitiveness. By 1991–1992, planning advanced under Oregon Arena Corporation (OAC), an entity formed by Allen to develop the project in Portland's Rose Quarter district, adjacent to the existing coliseum. The selected site benefited from urban renewal zoning, enabling coordinated development with city infrastructure upgrades. City-OAC agreements, formalized in the early , established a public-private partnership emphasizing private funding for the core arena while allocating public resources to off-site improvements like roads and sewers. This structure avoided direct taxpayer subsidies for construction, positioning the project as a model of minimal public involvement in sports facilities. Groundbreaking occurred on July 12, 1993, with completion targeted for late 1995 to align with the Trail Blazers' season. Financing totaled $262 million, sourced primarily from private capital: $46 million in equity from Allen, $155 million in mortgage notes from nine investors led by Prudential , and a $16 million construction loan from and , supplemented by $10.2 million in interest income. The City of Portland contributed $34.5 million exclusively for enhancements outside the arena footprint, funded via bonds repaid through future tax revenues from the revitalized district. This debt-heavy approach, innovative for the era, relied on projected arena revenues to service obligations, though it later faced scrutiny amid operational shortfalls.

Construction and Initial Opening

Construction of the arena, initially named the , broke ground on July 12, 1993, following approval from the Arena Corporation and involvement from developer Vulcan LLC. The project was designed by the architectural firm and completed at a total cost of $262 million, incorporating advanced structural elements such as a signature steel roof system to support the multi-purpose venue's 19,393-seat capacity for basketball and other events. spanned over two years, integrating the arena into the broader Rose Quarter development near the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, with financing drawn from public bonds issued by the City of Portland and private investments. The Rose Garden officially opened on October 12, 1995, marking the relocation of the Portland Trail Blazers from the aging Memorial Coliseum. The grand opening ceremony featured comedian Dana Carvey as the headliner, attended by dignitaries and fans to celebrate the venue's debut as a state-of-the-art facility. The first major concert followed shortly after, with David Bowie and Nine Inch Nails performing on October 25, 1995, during Bowie's Outside Tour, drawing significant crowds to test the arena's acoustics and logistics. These initial events underscored the arena's role in hosting both sports and entertainment, setting the stage for its primary use by the Trail Blazers starting that NBA season.

Early Operational Challenges and Bankruptcy

The Oregon Arena Corporation, which owned and operated the Rose Garden Arena (now Moda Center), accumulated approximately $20 million in losses from 1995 to 2003, attributed primarily to insufficient revenue from events amid high service obligations from the arena's financing. These losses were exacerbated by the ' on-court struggles and off-court scandals during the early 2000s, often referred to as the "Jail Blazers" era, which led to a 20% decline in attendance for the 2003–04 NBA season as the team failed to qualify for the playoffs. Operational revenues from non-NBA events, such as concerts and other sports, proved inadequate to offset the fixed costs of maintaining the 19,980-seat venue, including staffing, utilities, and upkeep, while public subsidies were limited and controversial. The arena's $155 million construction in the early 1990s had been largely funded through municipal bonds issued by the Oregon Arena Corporation, backed by revenue pledges from ticket sales, concessions, and naming rights, but these projections fell short due to overestimated event bookings and economic slowdowns in the Pacific Northwest following the dot-com bust. Over a year of negotiations with bondholders failed to restructure the debt, as creditors demanded full repayment on terms deemed unsustainable by owner Paul Allen's Vulcan Inc., leading to the filing of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection by Oregon Arena Corporation on February 27, 2004. The bankruptcy placed the arena as the primary asset under court supervision, halting aggressive debt collection while allowing continued operations under existing management. In the immediate aftermath, creditors formed a new entity, Portland Arena Management, to assume control upon emergence from , with day-to-day operations outsourced to Philadelphia-based Global Spectrum in September 2004 to stabilize finances through cost-cutting and enhanced event programming. This transition highlighted broader vulnerabilities in arena financing models reliant on performance, as the Blazers' gate receipts directly impacted non-team revenues like and premium seating. Allen's decision to relinquish control rather than inject additional personal funds underscored the arena's structural underperformance relative to its $262 million in bonds and accrued interest claims exceeding $192 million.

Post-Bankruptcy Stabilization and Renaming

Following the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by Arena Corp. on February 27, 2004, due to unsustainable debt service on $155 million in construction bonds issued in 1993, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court-approved reorganization plan transferred ownership of the Arena to its primary lenders on November 9, 2004. Portland Arena Management LLC, formed by the bondholders, assumed control of the arena's assets and operations, marking the end of direct ownership by entities tied to . In February 2007, Vulcan Inc., Allen's holding company, signed a to repurchase the arena from Portland Arena Management for an undisclosed amount, with the transaction closing on April 2, 2007. This reacquisition addressed prior financial strains, including above-market interest rates on the original debt that had prompted the 2004 surrender of ownership, and restored unified control over the arena and the franchise under Vulcan, enabling operational synergies and averting projected losses exceeding $100 million over three years. The 2007 repurchase facilitated post-bankruptcy stabilization by consolidating management, improving revenue streams from events, and avoiding further creditor disputes that had lingered through 2006. Under Vulcan's oversight, the arena maintained consistent tenancy for Trail Blazers games and concerts, with no subsequent major financial restructurings reported until broader franchise sales discussions in the late . On August 13, 2013, the arena was renamed the Moda Center pursuant to a 10-year naming rights agreement with Moda Health, a Portland-based health insurer, valued at approximately $4 million annually. The deal retained the "Rose Quarter" designation for the surrounding district, including the adjacent Memorial Coliseum, and introduced a new logo designed by local firm Ziba Design. This sponsorship provided a stable revenue source amid evolving arena economics, reflecting a shift from the original Rose Garden name tied to floral themes and local identity.

Notable Events and Milestones

Key Sports Achievements

The Moda Center has been the site of several iconic playoff victories for the , though the team has not advanced to the since the arena's opening in 1995. One of the most celebrated moments occurred on May 2, 2014, during Game 6 of the first-round playoffs against the , when hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from 25 feet with 0.9 seconds remaining, securing a 99-98 win and clinching the series 4-2—the franchise's first playoff series victory since 2000. In the 2019 Western Conference semifinals against the , the arena hosted Game 3 on , where the Blazers prevailed 140-137 in quadruple , matching the longest game in NBA playoff by duration (63 minutes) and marking only the second such marathon in postseason play since 1953. This victory, fueled by CJ McCollum's 41 points, helped Portland advance to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2000, though they fell to the in that series. The venue has also witnessed regular-season milestones, including Lillard's multiple game-winning shots at home, such as a 2014 step-back jumper over the Warriors and other clutch performances that contributed to the Blazers' six division titles since 1995. However, the Blazers' overall playoff success at Moda Center remains limited, with no conference championships or NBA titles achieved there, reflecting broader franchise challenges in sustaining elite contention.

Significant Concerts and Performances

The Moda Center, formerly known as the Rose Garden Arena, has hosted numerous landmark featuring major international acts, often drawing near-capacity crowds of up to 20,000. These performances have contributed to the venue's reputation as a premier stop on national and world tours, with standout events marked by record ticket sales and high attendance. In 2015, country singer established a venue record for ticket sales during a series of shows from April 11 to 20, surpassing 61,970 tickets sold across five performances, which exceeded his prior record of 54,873 tickets from three shows in July 1996. The residency, featuring Brooks and Trisha , underscored the arena's capacity for multi-night stands by top-drawing artists. Rock band delivered sold-out concerts at the arena on April 15, 2001, as part of the supporting All That You Can't Leave Behind, and on December 19, 2005, during the for How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. These shows highlighted the venue's acoustics and production capabilities for large-scale rock spectacles. Metallica's performance on December 5, 2018, for the drew a packed house, with the band delivering a setlist spanning their catalog to an enthusiastic crowd in the 19,000-seat configuration. Similarly, AC/DC's April 19, 2001, concert sold out at 13,722 attendees during their . Other notable concerts include ' sold-out show on November 27, 2019, filling the venue's 18,000 capacity for their Let's Rock tour. In 2025, Sleep Token's sold-out performance on October 8 marked a high-energy metal event with elaborate stage theatrics.

Record-Setting or Controversial Occurrences

The Moda Center hosted the PDX Crusade on August 2–3, 2025, drawing more than 45,000 attendees across three free events featuring musical , , and preaching, which organizers described as Portland's largest Christian gathering in decades. In March 2024, during the Tournament Sweet 16 games at the arena, officials discovered a error in the court's three-point lines, with the arc on one basket nine inches shorter at its apex than the regulation 22 feet 1.75 inches, resulting from by a finisher contracted through the NCAA's provider, Connor Sports. The discrepancy, which affected at least three games involving USC, UCLA, LSU, and Gonzaga, prompted the NCAA to notify coaches and repaint the lines before the matchup between and NC State, though no games were replayed or outcomes altered. On October 1, 2019, during Morrissey's concert, the performer halted the show midway through a song to address and have security remove a protester in the audience who was displaying a sign criticizing the singer's views on animal rights and other issues, an incident captured on video and highlighting tensions between Morrissey's fanbase and activists.

Criticisms and Challenges

Facility Design Flaws

The Moda Center's seating configuration, established during its 1995 construction as the Arena, features narrow seats approximately 18 inches wide, akin to standard economy airline seating, which has drawn persistent complaints for inadequate comfort and legroom, especially for taller or larger patrons during extended events. This design limits effective , as evidenced by attendee reports of spillover into aisles and challenges rising from seats lacking armrests. Sightlines in upper-level corner sections and baseline areas behind the hoops or stage are compromised by steep angles and structural obstructions, reducing visibility and immersion for basketball spectators and concertgoers in those zones. Concourse layouts suffer from inefficient flow and underoptimized space, originally designed for lower attendance volumes but strained by modern crowd sizes, leading to bottlenecks and ad-hoc vendor placements rather than integrated amenities. These issues have prompted incremental fixes, underscoring foundational limitations in circulation and revenue-generating potential. Early operational phases revealed accessibility shortcomings, culminating in a 1997 federal lawsuit (Independent Living Resources v. Oregon Arena Corp.) that identified ADA violations in seating allocation, aisle access, and companion accommodations, stemming from insufficient integration of principles during planning. Subsequent modifications addressed some deficiencies but highlighted the arena's outdated compliance with evolving standards for equitable facility use.

Operational and Safety Incidents

In November 2023, prior to a scheduled NBA game between the and , the Moda Center was evacuated after reports of shots fired near the arena's ticket office. personnel escorted players and staff to a secure location while police investigated the incident outside the venue, which did not result in injuries inside the arena but delayed operations and heightened security protocols. During a concert on September 20, 2025, as part of their anniversary tour, a small fire broke out on the stage at the Moda Center, prompting a brief pause in the performance. A crew member quickly extinguished the flames using available equipment, with no injuries reported among performers or attendees, and the show resumed shortly thereafter. Other reported fires in proximity to the arena, such as those involving external storage containers or vehicles post-event, have not directly impacted internal operations or safety within the Moda Center itself. No major structural failures, power outages, or widespread fan injuries have been documented in official records or incident reports specific to the venue's operations.

Economic and Public Funding Debates

The construction of the Arena (later renamed Moda Center) in 1995 involved a total cost of $262 million, with approximately $34.5 million (13%) contributed by the City of Portland as a one-time public , primarily through funds and infrastructure support, while the majority was financed privately via Paul Allen's $46 million equity , a $155 million long-term mortgage from , and other loans. This public portion was structured to be recouped over time through a 6% city ticket tax on events, which has generated revenue exceeding the initial outlay, including over $8 million in annual property taxes since 2015, though full net recovery remains subject to ongoing fiscal analysis. In August 2024, the City of Portland acquired ownership of the Moda Center for a nominal $1 from Rip City Management (the Trail Blazers' arena operator) and purchased an adjacent land parcel for $7.13 million using revenues from the city's Spectator Venues and Activities funds, which derive from event-related taxes such as and tickets. This transaction, part of a five-year "bridge" lease extension to prevent potential team relocation by 2030, exempts the arena from approximately $1.2 million in annual property taxes previously paid by private owners, qualifying it for state tax abatements as publicly held property, and commits the city to matching up to 50% of approved capital improvement costs. Critics, including local commentators, have framed this as yielding to franchise leverage tactics akin to "blackmail," arguing it diverts event-generated public funds toward private team interests without guaranteed reciprocity. Proponents of public involvement, including city officials and team advocates, cite an estimated $600 million in annual economic output from arena events, encompassing jobs, tourism, and regional spending, positioning such investments as essential for retaining the NBA franchise and fostering long-term urban vitality. However, this claim contrasts with the broad academic consensus among economists, derived from over 130 peer-reviewed studies spanning decades, that public subsidies for sports facilities typically generate negligible net economic benefits—often zero or negative—due to substitution effects where consumer spending shifts from other local sectors without creating new wealth, with gains disproportionately accruing to team owners rather than taxpayers. In Portland's context, while initial private-heavy financing avoided larger subsidies common elsewhere, recent tax exemptions and matching funds have reignited scrutiny over whether civic intangible benefits, such as franchise retention, justify fiscal commitments amid competing public needs like infrastructure and housing.

Recent Developments and Future Prospects

2020s Upgrades and Partnerships

In 2025, the Moda Center underwent significant technological enhancements to its video display systems, including the installation of new corner video boards measuring 24 feet by 50 feet each, a 136-foot ribbon board positioned between them, and an expanded center-hung that increased in size by 56% to 2,092 square feet of seamless . These upgrades, unveiled on September 25, 2025, aimed to improve the fan experience during games and other events, marking the arena's largest such investment in decades. The center-hung project was completed with technical support from Anthony James Partners, enhancing resolution and content capabilities for immersive viewing. Earlier in the decade, structural improvements included roof replacement and updates to courtside tunnels, enlarging them to accommodate stowed hoops for seamless transitions to configurations. These modifications addressed operational efficiencies amid ongoing debates about comprehensive renovations versus full reconstruction, with local stakeholders advocating for upgrades to retain the Trail Blazers amid the team's pending ownership transition. On the partnerships front, the announced a collaboration with on October 7, 2025, launching River & Hospitality to overhaul food and beverage services at the Moda Center and surrounding Rose Quarter venues. This initiative focuses on elevating premium dining options and fan-facing amenities, aligning with broader efforts to modernize the arena's hospitality amid evolving event demands. Community-driven efforts, such as the Rip City Forever campaign launched in July 2025, have partnered with the Community Foundation to fund and promote targeted upgrades, emphasizing public-private models to secure the franchise's long-term presence in Portland.

Ownership Transitions and Renovation Debates

In August 2024, the City of Portland acquired ownership of the Moda Center arena building from Rip City Management LLC, a sister entity to the , for $7.13 million, completing a transition that consolidated city control over both the facility and surrounding land parcels previously held by private interests. This shift followed decades of private ownership under Vulcan Inc., the holding company of late co-founder , who financed the arena's original 1995 construction as the . The purchase, approved unanimously by the Portland City Council, included a new operating lease requiring the city to match any renovation investments made by the Trail Blazers organization, aiming to incentivize upgrades while securing long-term tenancy. Concurrently, the Trail Blazers franchise underwent its own ownership change in 2025, with Paul Allen's estate selling the team to a group led by Tom Dundon—owner of the NHL's —for an estimated $4.25 billion, marking the end of family stewardship since Allen's 1988 acquisition and his death in 2018. Dundon's impending control over team operations positioned him to influence arena decisions, though the city's recent acquisition decoupled facility ownership from franchise rights, sparking discussions on collaborative funding models amid the NBA's non-relocation clause binding the Blazers to Portland until at least 2030. Renovation debates intensified post-transition, centered on the arena's 30-year-old infrastructure, which lacks modern amenities like advanced video boards and flexible seating compared to newer NBA venues. NBA Commissioner explicitly challenged incoming owners to renovate the Moda Center or pursue a rebuild, warning of competitive disadvantages and potential league repercussions if unaddressed, given its status among the league's aging facilities without comprehensive overhauls. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson advocated for a "reimagined" existing structure over a full replacement, emphasizing renovations to enhance economic impact and integrate features like reduced seating capacity for premium experiences, technology upgrades, and multi-use event spaces to host both NBA games and emerging teams like the WNBA's . Initial Phase One renovations commenced in summer 2025 under the prior ownership, installing higher-definition scoreboard panels and laying groundwork for broader transformations, with proposed plans including seat reductions from 19,393 to accommodate luxury suites and fan zones, though final scope hinges on Dundon's priorities and public-private funding alignments. Critics, including league observers, argue that piecemeal updates may insufficiently compete with billion-dollar new builds elsewhere, while proponents highlight cost efficiencies—estimated at hundreds of millions versus billions for a new arena—and the city's leverage to enforce commitments via lease terms.

Potential Relocation or Rebuild Scenarios

In August 2024, the City of Portland reached a bridge agreement with Rip City Management, extending the ' use of the Moda Center through at least 2030 and repurchasing the arena from the team's ownership for a nominal $1 fee, amid the venue's ground lease expiration set for October 2025. This arrangement prohibits relocation before 2030, providing stability while facilitating negotiations for facility upgrades or redevelopment tied to the surrounding Rose Quarter district. Following the team's pending sale to Tom Dundon, completed in aspects by September 2025, decisions on the Moda Center's future center on renovation versus constructing a new arena, with the 30-year-old facility identified as the NBA's oldest without major prior overhauls. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson has expressed preference for reimagining and renovating the existing structure over replacement, emphasizing its central role in the city's entertainment ecosystem and integration with planned neighborhood revitalization efforts. NBA Commissioner has urged prospective owners to commit to either substantial renovations or a new venue to address competitive needs, while affirming support for retaining the franchise in Portland as a "generational opportunity" for the region. The Trail Blazers organization has outlined conceptual renovation proposals for the Moda Center, including enhanced fan amenities and connectivity to broader district improvements under the Albina Vision Trust, aimed at addressing historical community displacement in the Lower Albina area. These plans hinge on collaboration among the new ownership, city officials, and stakeholders, with economic analyses underscoring the arena's role in generating revenue from non-NBA events to offset public investments.

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