March Madness is coming to Portland. The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship First and Second Rounds will be played at Moda Center on March 19 and 21, 2026, with Oregon State University serving as the host school. For basketball fans traveling to Portland for the tournament, you're in for a treat — the city is walkable, the food scene is world-class, and Moda Center is one of the most accessible arenas in the country.
Tournament Schedule & Venue
Moda Center at the Rose Quarter seats just under 20,000 for basketball and hosts multiple sessions across the two game days. The First Round tips off Thursday, March 19, with the Second Round on Saturday, March 21. Each session features two games, so expect to be at the arena for 4-5 hours per session. Moda Center is located in the Rose Quarter district on the east side of the Willamette River, directly served by the MAX Light Rail — a single ride from the airport or any downtown hotel takes less than 20 minutes.
Insider Tip
Take the MAX to Moda Center — the Rose Quarter Transit Center stop is directly outside the arena. Parking is limited and expensive. Your game ticket may include a TriMet pass — check before you drive.
Where to Stay for March Madness in Portland
Portland hotels near the Rose Quarter fill up fast during March Madness, and rates spike. A vacation rental in a nearby neighborhood gives you more space, a kitchen for pregame meals, and a real Portland experience — all at a better price than a tournament-rate hotel room. The best neighborhoods for tournament visitors are Northeast Portland (10-15 minutes from Moda Center by car or MAX, packed with restaurants and breweries), Southeast Portland (walkable to the arena via the Hawthorne or Morrison bridges, the city's best food scene), and the Lloyd District (the closest neighborhood to Moda Center, with restaurants and shops within walking distance).
For groups traveling together — and March Madness draws a lot of friend groups — a 3 or 4-bedroom vacation rental is dramatically cheaper than booking multiple hotel rooms, and you get a living room to gather for bracket-watching between sessions.
Insider Tip
Book early — Portland accommodations fill up weeks before March Madness. Browse large-group rentals or all properties and filter by dates.
Where to Eat & Drink Near Moda Center
The Rose Quarter itself has limited dining options, but Portland's best food and drink are minutes away. The Lloyd District (walkable from Moda Center) has solid options, and a quick MAX ride or short walk across the river puts you in the heart of Portland's restaurant scene.
Loyal Legion →
99 beers on tap — all Oregon-brewed — plus a solid food menu. Walking distance from Moda Center on SE Alder. Perfect for pregame.
Ex Novo Brewing →
Portland's nonprofit brewery, a quick drive or bus ride north on N Flint. Great beer, great food, great cause.
Screen Door →
Portland's most famous brunch, on E Burnside — a short walk from the Rose Quarter. Go the morning of game day.
Kachka →
Russian-inspired small plates and vodka flights on SE Grand, 10 minutes south of Moda Center. A unique pregame dinner option.
Wayfinder Beer →
Best lagers in Portland, on SE 9th — a 10-minute walk from Moda Center. Czech pilsner and Japanese rice lager on tap.
What Else to Do in Portland During the Tournament
March Madness sessions don't fill your entire day, and Portland rewards exploration. Between games, check out Powell's City of Books (the world's largest independent bookstore, 15 minutes from Moda Center), walk the waterfront along Tom McCall Park, or explore the Pearl District galleries. If you have a day without games, the Columbia River Gorge and Multnomah Falls are a 45-minute drive east. Portland's brewery scene is deep — you could visit a different taproom for every session of the tournament and not repeat. And if you're here on a Thursday, the Portland Thorns open their 2026 NWSL season at Providence Park on March 20 — right between the First and Second Round games.
Insider Tip
The Portland Thorns' 2026 home opener is Friday, March 20 — the day between NCAA First and Second Round games. Catch college hoops and professional soccer in the same weekend. Browse properties near both venues.
Getting Around Portland
Portland is one of the most transit-friendly cities in the country. The MAX Light Rail connects the airport (PDX) to downtown and the Rose Quarter in about 40 minutes for $2.50. TriMet buses run frequently across all neighborhoods. Ride-share apps work well too, but the MAX is faster during event traffic. Portland is also extremely walkable — you can walk from Moda Center to SE Portland's restaurant district in 20 minutes across the Morrison Bridge. If you're staying in a vacation rental in NE or SE Portland, you likely won't need a car at all.
