Moda Center (Portland, Oregon)

Moda Center, formerly known as the Rose Garden, is the primary indoor sports arena in Portland, Oregon, United States. It is used basketball, ice hockey, rodeos, circuses, conventions, ice shows, concerts, and dramatic productions. The arena has a capacity of 19,393 spectators when configured for basketball. It is equipped with state-of-the-art acoustics and other amenities.

The arena is owned by Vulcan Inc., a holding company owned by the estate of Paul Allen, and is currently managed by Anschutz Entertainment Group and AEG Live. The primary tenant is the Portland Trail Blazers NBA franchise, also owned by Allen. The other major tenant of the building today is the major junior hockey franchise Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League, which splits 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.

General information

Arena capacity: 19,393 spectators

Address: 1 N Center Ct St, Portland, OR 97227, USA

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 45°31′54″N 122°40′0″W

Year of construction: October 12, 1995

Construction cost: $431 million

Seating plan of Moda Center

Courtside Club

(Rows AA-EE are part of the Courtside Club)

The Courtside Club is home to some of the most amazing seats the Moda Center has to offer. Located within five rows of the court, these seats offer heart-pounding action, upscale amenities and an unforgettable experience.

Courtside ticketholders will be treated to in-seat wait service so you never have to miss a moment of the action. If you prefer to get up and explore, you’ll have exclusive access to the Courtside Club with televisions, seating and full-service accommodations.

Club Level

The Moda Center Club Level features some of the stadium’s best seats for Blazers basketball. In addition to prime sightlines, these seats come with upscale amenities and exclusive benefits like in-seat beverage service.

Ticketholders will have access to the club concourse with two full-service bars and premium food options. Fans will enter the club level through a private entrance and have access to a concierge to handle all of your in-game needs.

Recommended Seats for Impressing a Guest

Sections 201, 202, 215 and 216:

• Amazing elevated view from near mid-court;
• Exclusive club level amenities, including in-seat beverage service;
• Lounge access with upscale dining and full service bars.

Recommended Seats for Great Views of the Court

Sections 101, 102, 111 and 112:

• Great view from along the sideline;
• Very close to the action with a chance to be near mid-court;
• Some of the best tickets in the whole stadium.

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. 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. 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. 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.

Skyboxes and suites

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. Suites may be rented on a yearly or single-event 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.

Theater of the Clouds

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, places the stage at center court, and utilizes the western side of the arena. 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. The Theater of the Clouds configuration seats 6,500, with 16 of the 70 luxury boxes being usable.

Where to buy tickets?

Tickets for all events at the Moda Center and Veterans Memorial Coliseum can be purchased in person at the Rose Quarter Box Office during regular hours, located at One Center Court, suite 100. Guests may park in the garages or the turn around driveway on Center Court for 15 minutes to purchase tickets.

Hours

• Monday – Friday: 10a – 5p;
• Weekend hours vary based on events. Please call Box Office during regular business hours for more complete weekend information.
• New predictions for soccer, tennis, hockey, basketball, etc. are created every hour.

The Box Office is also open during events. If the event is in the Memorial Coliseum, the Memorial Coliseum Box Office will open 2-3 hours prior to the event.

A game ticket, based on season ticket prices, ranges from $10 – $199. Specific game prices vary based on the opponent (prices are set when the schedule is released). A ticket in any range is well worth the price. The organization is committed to having the best fan experience in the NBA.

Capital improvements that are planned include retail kiosks on the upper levels to enhance access to merchandise, upgrades to Wi-Fi access, and the installation of a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) for wireless phones, and a complete redesign of the court floor (as voted on by the fans).

How to get there?

The Rose Quarter is conveniently located next to two MAX Light Rail stations. The Rose Quarter Transit Center is located on the red, blue and green lines and is located south of the arena. The Interstate/Rose Quarter station is located on the western side of the Rose Quarter campus and serves riders on the yellow line. Please note that the Free Rail Zone no longer exists, and a valid fare is required everywhere. Tri-Met also operates several bus lines which serve the arena.

From I-5 Northbound

Take the Rose Quarter Exit, left on Broadway (2nd light), left on Vancouver Ave. (2nd light), proceed straight, enter parking garages as directed. or Take City Center Exit (before Marquam Bridge), proceed North on Front Street (Naito Parkway) over the Steel Bridge, left on Interstate Ave. (1st light), enter parking garages as directed. or Take I-405 Exit to Everett St. Exit, right on Everett St., proceed over Steel Bridge, left on Interstate Ave. (1st light), enter parking garages as directed.

From I-5 Southbound

Take Rose Quarter Exit (302A), proceed straight through two lights, enter parking garages as directed.

From I-205 Northbound

Take I-205 North to the City Center/I-84 West Exit and follow the I-84 Westbound directions.

From I-205 Southbound

Take I-205 North to the City Center/I-84 West Exit and follow the I-84 Westbound directions.

From I-84 Westbound

Follow signs to I-5 N Seattle, take Rose Quarter exit. Turn left onto NE Multnomah (2nd light). Turn right onto N. Interstate (3rd light including pedestrian crossing light.) Enter parking garages as directed.

From Hwy 26 Eastbound

Take I-405 North/Seattle exit, take Everett St. Exit, exit right on Everett St., proceed straight over Steel Bridge, left on Interstate Ave. (1st light), enter parking garages as directed. or Take I-405 North exit proceed to I-5 South exit, from I-5 South take Rose Quarter Exit, proceed straight through 2 lights, enter parking garages as directed. or Take I-405 South exit, proceed to I-5 North, from I-5 North take the Rose Quarter Exit, left on Broadway (2nd light), left on Vancouver Ave. (2nd light), proceed straight, enter parking garages as directed.

Visiting for a Business Meeting

When visiting the Rose Quarter for a business meeting in Suites 100, 150, or 200, you will need to check in with security at the Rose Quarter Campus Reception desk.

If you are arriving by car:

To get to Rose Quarter Campus Reception via car, you will first need to park in the Annex Garage on North Drexler Drive (see right). From there, take an elevator to Floor 1. Security will be at the desk to your left once you exit the elevators.

If you are arriving by public transportation, by bike, or on foot:

To get to Rose Quarter Campus Reception, ride or walk to the box office, located directly across from Moda Center. Here, you would enter through the doors into the box office lobby and security will be at the desk next to the elevators.

Parking

More than 2500 parking spaces are available at the rose quarter:

• Garden Garage: 1038 total spaces including 24 ADA accessible spaces. The Garden Garage is physically attached to the north end of Moda Center.
• Annex Garage: 350 total spaces including 9 ADA accessible spaces.
• West Broadway Garage: 554 total spaces including 12 ADA accessible spaces.
• East Broadway Garage: 533 total spaces including 14 ADA accessible spaces. Benton Surface Lot: 92 total spaces including 3 ADA accessible spaces.
• Free sports predictions 24 hours a day.

The Rose Quarter parking garages open approximately two hours prior to an event. Parking prices vary according to the event (prices typically range from $8 to $26 for events). Parking prices are included on the detailed show information page located within the event calendar. Motorcycle parking is also available in these garages and is the same price as regular vehicles.

Most of garages have a maximum height clearance of 6’8″, but there are parking areas to accommodate larger vehicles. The East/West garages have a max height clearance of 8’2″. Based on availability, oversized vehicles and busses are directed to park in the Benton Lot. The cost is $30 per event (this lot is sometimes reserved and not available).

Over 1700 parking spaces are available at the Off-Site Parking lots, located five blocks away at NE 7th and Multnomah in the Lloyd District. Off-Site parking is only offered during Blazer home games. MAX Trains arrive about every 5 minutes from the transit station located at NE 7th and Holladay. Passengers will be dropped off at the Rose Quarter Transit Station. Guests can board return trains (heading Eastbound) at the Rose Quarter Transit Station.

Public transportation

Public transportation is the way to go when attending an event in the Rose Quarter. The MAX (light rail), and the Portland Streetcar sandwich the property.

Inside there is plenty of room to maneuver. The concourse is quite wide and can easily handle a full house. Handicap access and seating is sufficient for the crowds. Bathrooms are sizable and lines are usually short.

Where to eat?

The Moda Center has a multitude of food and beverage choices for fans. In addition to the typical arena cuisine options, now run by Levy Restaurants, the management has enlisted local restaurants to cater to the dining selections. Some of the choices include:

Sizzle Pie – A pizza place that names its menu from heavy metal bands/songs. Their motto is “Death to false pizza,” and features the “Ace of Spades” (Pepperoni).

Killer Burger – Features a “Peanut Butter, Pickle & Bacon” burger for $10.25.

Seven Rivers Smokehouse BBQ – Cheddar Meltdown for $9.75 (nachos with cheddar and BBQ pork or beef).

Po’Shines Cafe De La Soul – Chicken & Waffles for $11.25.

No trip to the Northwest is complete without coffee. Buzzsaw, features Stumptown coffee (also a local business) for $4.25-$5.

Beer from some of the Northwest’s best microbrews are available as well. Widmer Bros. & Pyramid are $8-$9. Wine (also a Northwest staple), from Local Cork, can be had for $10-$12.

As far as the typical arena choices you will find hot dogs ($6.50), soft drinks ($5.50 all the way up to $9.50 for the commemorative cup), burgers, pretzels, and popcorn available as well.

Dr. Jack’s

Inspired by one of the most respected coaches in NBA history, Dr. “Jack” Ramsay, who flawlessly led the Trail Blazers to the 1977 title, Dr. Jack’s is a tribute to this esteemed Hall of Famer. Located just outside the Moda Center’s Southwest entrance, Dr. Jack’s is the perfect destination spot pre and post-game.

Featuring locally sourced ingredients and fresh flavors any true Portland foodie can appreciate, the menu offers unique, fan-favorite fare with a twist! Enjoy a refreshing signature cocktail or sip on a variety of local craft beers and wines inside with all the action, or relax on our outdoor patios. Whether you’re enjoying a game with friends and family or entertaining clients, Dr. Jack’s is sure to please any crowd!

10 Barrel Taproom

A tribute to our most famous voice of the Trail Blazers, Bill Schonley, this 240-seat brewpub opens to the general public 2 ½ hours prior to tipoff and remains open until after halftime. Get here early to get a seat and enjoy your meal in style while anticipating the excitement of a RIP CITY win! Take in the pregame show on one of our 22 flat-screen HDTV’s or enjoy a 10 Barrel Beer at one of the two giant circular bars which open out to the concourse. Schonley’s Place is located on the West side of the 100-level concourse outside section 101 and can be accessed pre-game through the Southwest doors to the Moda Center, right across from the fountain.

Atmosphere

The Blazers are the longest tenured professional team in Portland, and have a huge following. Upon entering the arena, you can’t help but notice the history of the Blazer franchise. All around the concourse, you see pictures of players, coaches, and executives alike. Bill Walton’s jersey from the 1977 championship team is framed and on display.

When you get to your seat, you will see banners of division and conference titles, along with the lone NBA championship on one side, and retired jerseys hanging from the other side. The list of retired numbers is long for the Trail Blazers. The list includes Larry Weinberg (#1), Dave Twardzik (#13), Lionel Hollins (#14), Larry Steele (#15), Maurice Lucas (#20), Clyde Drexler (#22), Terry Porter (#30), Bob Gross (#30), Bill Walton (#32), Lloyd Neal (#36), Geoff Petrie (#45), Jack Ramsay (#77, in honor of coaching the ’77 championship team), and an additional honor for long-time broadcaster Bill Schonely.

The Trailblazer organization takes great pride in their history, and is bold about telling visitors just where they’ve been. Being the only major league team in the city for many years, the Blazers are still THE game in town.

Neighborhood

The Moda Center is situated between I-5 and the Willamette River in the Lloyd Section of Portland. The Rose Quarter boasts Dr. Jack’s, a restaurant/bar that is the place to be before and after the game. Dr. Jack’s is a tribute to former coach Jack Ramsay, who led the Blazers to their only NBA title.

The Spirit of 77, also in reference to the team’s only championship, is also a hot spot before and after the game. It is a bit of a walk from the arena, but worth the walk. Downtown Portland is two miles away and has many interesting spots. Voodoo Doughnut is a must. The Bacon Maple Bars are great.

Fans

You can’t imagine any other fans being more passionate or knowledgeable than Blazer fans. They have a reputation around the league for being such. The concourse, during play, is a ghost town. Everyone is in the arena cheering on the Blazers. Attention to the on the court action is second to none. You don’t see the typical “I’m just here with friends because they had an extra ticket” type of attendee. True, hardcore fans, who live and die with the team, are the norm. They are attentive, loud, and respectful – but they don’t mind letting you know exactly how they feel.

Amenities

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, including two which permit smoking. A fourth concourse, known as Suite Level, provides access to the skyboxes and is restricted to patrons who have skybox admission.

The primary scoreboard is a Mitsubishi-manufactured high definition video scoreboard. The arena also features over 650 television monitors placed throughout, 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.

A unique feature found in no other multi-purpose arena is known as the “acoustical cloud”. The panels permit the acoustics of the arena to be adjusted according to the requirements of the event. The arena is also equipped with a JBL sound system. The acoustics of Moda Center have been widely praised compared to similar venues.

History

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 team was purchased by Paul Allen and made appearances in the NBA Finals. Allen soon expressed a desire to build a new arena for his team and chartered the Oregon Arena Corporation, a private corporation with Allen as the sole shareholder, to build and operate a new facility. The team soon made an agreement with the City of Portland to build a new multi-purpose arena on the Coliseum’s parking lot.

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.

Construction and opening

Ground on the arena was broken in 1993 and the arena opened on October 12, 1995. The project included the largest construction and demolition recycling program in the U.S. up to that time, in which 36,000 tons (32600 metric tons) of construction waste and 340,000 tons (308,400 metric tons) of dirt were recycled, saving OAC over $127,000. This effort later won the project an environmental award from the city.

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. 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.

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. A 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.