PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Fire and Portland Thorns opened the Kaiser Permanente Performance Center in Hillsboro on August 21, 2026. It cost $50 million. It spans 100,000 square feet.
It is the first dual-sport facility in the U.S. purpose-built for professional women athletes. The Fire practiced in high school gyms and community centers for months. That nomadic period is over.
The building houses two full-size basketball courts and a full-size indoor soccer pitch. It includes a strength and conditioning center, sports medicine suites, a hydrotherapy pool, and dedicated player lounges. Film rooms, nutrition centers, and childcare facilities are on site. The design targets the whole athlete, not just the player.
RAJ Sports owns both teams and funded the project. The location in Hillsboro sits west of Portland, near where many players live. It offers direct access to Portland International Airport for travel. Ample parking is included. Open practices and community events are planned.
Player wellness drove the design. Cryotherapy and compression therapy are available on site. Quiet rooms and meditation spaces address mental health. The medical team operates under the same roof as the training staff. The goal is injury reduction and career longevity.
The economic impact extends beyond the teams. Construction generated hundreds of jobs. Ongoing roles include trainers, nutritionists, and support staff. Hillsboro gains a sports hub capable of attracting future tournaments. Local schools may access the facility for clinics.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cost | $50 million |
| Size | 100,000 sq ft |
| Location | Hillsboro, Oregon |
| Basketball courts | 2 full-size |
| Soccer pitch | 1 full-size indoor |
| Recovery tools | Cryotherapy, compression, hydrotherapy |
| Ownership | RAJ Sports |
The facility signals a shift in women’s sports infrastructure. The WNBA and NWSL have long operated on inferior resources. This building sets a new baseline. Other franchises will face pressure to match it.
The Fire’s pursuit of a WNBA championship now has a physical foundation. The Thorns’ NWSL dominance gets a comparable boost. Shared resources between the two leagues create a template for collaboration. The model is replicable.
This is not a charity project. It is an investment with measurable returns. Better facilities attract better talent. Better talent produces better results. Better results grow revenue.
The building is private. Public access is limited to scheduled events. The FAQ from the ownership group confirms occasional open houses. Community engagement is part of the operating plan.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is the Kaiser Permanente Performance Center?
- A: It’s a $50 million, 100,000-square-foot dual-sport facility in Hillsboro, Oregon, built for the Portland Fire and Thorns, making it the first U.S. facility designed specifically for professional women athletes.
- Q: Why was the facility needed?
- A: The Portland Fire previously practiced in high school gyms and community centers. This new center provides stable, world-class training environments, including two basketball courts, a soccer pitch, and wellness amenities.
- Q: What amenities does the facility include?
- A: It features strength training, sports medicine, hydrotherapy, cryotherapy, compression therapy, player lounges, film rooms, nutrition centers, childcare, and quiet spaces for mental health.
- Q: How does this impact the local community?
- A: Construction created hundreds of jobs, and ongoing roles like trainers and support staff will boost Hillsboro’s economy, positioning it as a hub for future sports tournaments.
- Q: Who funded the project?
- A: RAJ Sports, the ownership group of both the Portland Fire and Thorns, fully funded the $50 million project.
Extended Reading
Coverage from KPTV and KATU documented the opening ceremony. The Oregonian reported on the joint practice facility’s strategic placement. All three outlets confirmed the August 21, 2026 launch date and the $50 million figure. RAJ Sports supplied the images and technical specifications.