On April 22, 2025, the Portland WNBA expansion team officially broke ground on a groundbreaking $150 million training facility in Hillsboro, Oregon. This state-of-the-art complex, set to open in 2026, will be shared with the Portland Thorns FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), marking a historic first in U.S. women’s professional sports.
A First-of-Its-Kind Dual-Sport Women’s Performance Center
The facility is the first in the United States to be jointly used by professional women’s basketball and soccer teams. Spanning 12 acres, the complex will feature a 63,000-square-foot training facility, including two full-sized basketball courts, two soccer pitches, and a 5,000-square-foot strength training area. Additional amenities include recovery lounges, hyperbaric therapy rooms, red-light therapy, active recovery pools, and dedicated spaces for yoga and Pilates.
Designed by the global architecture firm Populous, the facility aims to set a new standard for women’s sports infrastructure. The project is a collaboration between RAJ Sports, the Bhathal family’s sports investment platform, and Workspace Property Trust, focusing on sustainability by repurposing a former Nike office complex.
The 12-acre performance center will feature the following:
- 63,000-square-foot training facility
- 17,000-square-foot practice gym, featuring two full size basketball courts
- Two full-sized soccer pitches with an outdoor training zone
- A 5,000 square-foot, dynamic strength training facility featuring top of the line equipment, an outdoor turf zone and a yoga/pilates room
- Elite training core program, integrating strength and conditioning, sports science, and sports medicine
- Dedicated dressing rooms for the WNBA and NWSL teams with amenities designed for the female athlete in a spa like setting
- Dining room with a full-time chef and nutritionist, offering performance-focused meals and refueling stations throughout the facility
- Dedicated rooms for player’s families
- Team meeting rooms and social media content rooms
- Private player parking and player entry for convenience and security
The Bhathal family, owners of both the Portland Thorns and the new WNBA franchise, have emphasized the importance of creating a space that centers the needs of female athletes. Lisa Bhathal Merage stated, “Building an innovative training facility that provides the best possible environment for our athletes across professional soccer and professional basketball will be a game changer for women’s sports.”
Karina LeBlanc, Executive Vice President of Strategic Growth for RAJ Sports and former Thorns goalkeeper, highlighted the facility’s role in fostering a sense of belonging and visibility for players. “The athletes are the center of this. They get to walk into a building where they feel like they belong, and they feel like they’re seen and heard,” she said.
A Milestone for Women’s Sports
This development comes at a time when women’s sports are experiencing significant growth and increased investment. The Portland WNBA team, set to debut in 2026, will play at the Moda Center, the former home of the Portland Fire. The Thorns, one of the NWSL’s founding teams, continue to play at Providence Park.
The shared facility not only provides top-tier training resources but also symbolizes a commitment to elevating women’s professional sports. As LeBlanc noted, “It’s momentum. It’s a movement.”
With construction underway, the facility is expected to be completed in time for the 2026 seasons of both the WNBA and NWSL. Fans can place a $26 deposit for Portland WNBA season tickets at WNBA.com/portland. For more information on the Portland Thorns, visit Thorns.com.
This ambitious project positions Portland at the forefront of women’s sports, setting a precedent for future developments nationwide.