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.
Portland has hosted NCAA Tournament games before and the city handles it well. The Rose Quarter area around Moda Center is designed for events, transit connections are strong, and the city's restaurant and bar scene gives you far more options than a typical tournament city. This guide covers everything you need to plan your trip.
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.
The arena itself is modern and well-appointed — it's the home of the Portland Trail Blazers and hosts major concerts year-round. Sightlines are good from most sections, and the concourse has solid food and drink options (though we'd recommend eating before the game at one of the spots below). The Rose Quarter Commons outside the arena fills with fan activities on game days.
Insider Tip
Take the MAX to Moda Center — the Rose Quarter Transit Center stop is directly outside the arena. Parking is limited and expensive ($20-40). 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:
Northeast Portland (10-15 minutes from Moda Center by car or MAX) — packed with restaurants and breweries, with direct MAX access to the Rose Quarter. Alberta and Mississippi are the best streets for food and nightlife. Southeast Portland (walkable to the arena via the Hawthorne or Morrison bridges) — the city's best food scene and most walkable neighborhoods. A 20-minute walk across the Morrison Bridge gets you to Moda Center. Lloyd District (the closest neighborhood to Moda Center) — restaurants and shops within walking distance, major hotel cluster.
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. A group of 6 in a 3-bedroom house pays roughly $50-75/person per night, versus $200+/person for two hotel rooms.
Insider Tip
Book early — Portland accommodations fill up weeks before March Madness. Browse large-group rentals or all properties and filter by dates. Book direct to save vs. Airbnb.
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. For the full list, see our Portland restaurant guide.
Pregame Spots (Walking Distance)
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. Gets loud and packed on event nights.
Ex Novo Brewing→
Portland's nonprofit brewery, a quick drive or bus ride north on N Flint. Great beer, great food, great cause. More relaxed vibe than the spots closer to the arena.
Wayfinder Beer→
Best lagers in Portland, on SE 9th — a 10-minute walk from Moda Center. Czech pilsner and Japanese rice lager on tap. The food menu is legit.
Game-Day Brunch & Dinner
Screen Door→
Portland's most famous brunch, on E Burnside — a short walk from the Rose Quarter. Go the morning of game day. The fried chicken and waffles are iconic.
Kachka→
Russian-inspired small plates and vodka flights on SE Grand, 10 minutes south of Moda Center. A unique pregame dinner option that's unlike anything in most cities.
Canard→
Walk-in only, no reservations — perfect for a spontaneous pregame meal. Next door to Le Pigeon on E Burnside. The wine list is excellent and the food is world-class casual.
Post-Game & Late Night
Cartopia
SE Hawthorne food cart pod, open late. Potato Champion's poutine after a night game is a Portland rite of passage.
Doug Fir Lounge
Live music venue and restaurant on E Burnside with a late-night menu. Good chance there's a show happening after the game.
Where to Watch Games You're Not Attending
If you're in Portland for the tournament weekend but don't have tickets to every session — or you want to watch other regional games — Portland has excellent sports bars. Spirit of 77 (NE Portland) is the city's best basketball bar, with massive screens and a hoops-obsessed atmosphere. On Deck Sports Bar (Pearl District) has dozens of TVs and good food. Claudia's (SE Hawthorne) is a beloved neighborhood bar with solid screens and no attitude. Most Portland breweries will also have games on — Great Notion's Alberta taproom is a particularly good spot.
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.
March in Portland is early spring — expect temperatures in the 50s, occasional rain, and the city's famous cherry blossoms starting to bloom along the waterfront. It's a great walking city even in the rain (Portlanders don't use umbrellas — just a good jacket). And if you're here on Friday, 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.
From PDX Airport: MAX Red Line to Rose Quarter Transit Center (40 min, $2.50). From Downtown: MAX to Rose Quarter (5 min). From SE Portland: Walk across Morrison Bridge (20 min) or MAX from Lloyd Center (5 min). From NE Portland: MAX Yellow/Green line or bus (10-15 min). Ride-share: Expect surge pricing after games let out. The MAX is faster and cheaper post-game.
