Portland has been announced as the official host city for the 2030 Division I NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four, per official NCAA statement this morning. It will be Portland’s first time hosting this world-class event, and the bid process has been driven collaboratively by Sport Oregon, Travel Portland, the Rose Quarter / Portland Trail Blazers, and the University of Portland Pilots.
“To say we are excited is a massive understatement – this is a huge win for our community and our bid partners,” said Sport Oregon CEO Jim Etzel. “It is a testament to the culture and passion of women’s basketball fans in Oregon. We are deeply appreciative of the Women’s Basketball Committee and the NCAA for choosing Portland, and we can’t wait to show everyone what we already know, that this is the best place in the world for women’s athletics.”
Portland was a finalist for the 2025 and 2026 Women’s Final Fours back in 2020, but ultimately fell short in securing either of those events. In 2019, Portland hosted one of the most successful Women’s Basketball Regionals in history, and were set to do the same in 2020 before the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament. The University of Portland will act as the host school for the Portland Women’s Final Four.
“It is a tremendous honor to serve as institutional host on this successful bid to bring the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Final Four to Portland,” University of Portland Vice President for Athletics Scott Leykam said. “The University of Portland is home to women’s athletic programs that were at the forefront of the growth of women’s sports in our great city and state and this is a great way for us to continue that legacy.”
The bidding group has worked for the bulk of this year on making their pitch to the NCAA. Representatives from the NCAA and Women’s Basketball Committee were in Portland in September for the official site tour, and had a chance to analyze critical venues, and meet several stakeholders in the community. The bidding group’s final presentation to the NCAA was held November 16th in Dallas.
Now, Moda Center and the overall the Rose Quarter will serve as the epicenter of women’s basketball in 2030.
"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to hold the NCAA Women's Final Four in Portland at the Rose Quarter in 2030,” said Chris Oxley, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs & Strategic Initiatives, Portland Trail Blazers and Rose Quarter. “The success of the women’s regional in 2019 held at Moda Center, last year’s men’s tournament, and the continued success of other collegiate basketball events on our campus is a testament to the passionate basketball fans that make up our community. We’re thrilled to continue bringing high level women’s basketball to Portland.
A Women’s Final Four will be an economic boon for the Portland hospitality community, as the WBCA Coaches Convention will also make Portland its home over the same weekend. Between the WBCA and the Women’s Final Four, an estimated 11,000 hotel rooms will be utilized for the overall event between downtown and the Lloyd District.
“It is with immense pleasure and pride that Travel Portland celebrates the NCAA’s Women’s Final Four coming to Portland,” said Jeff Miller, President & CEO of Travel Portland. “With over 50 years of supporting women’s athletics, there is not another city in the country that will embrace this event and what it stands for more than Portland. Travel Portland - along with our partners - enthusiastically looks forward to welcoming the world of women’s basketball to our inclusive, diverse and women’s-sports-loving city.”
The Oregon Convention Center will host the WBCA Coaches Convention, along with Tourney Town, a free public fan festival for basketball fans. Several other events will be held around Final Four weekend throughout the city, along with legacy-building community opportunities in the years prior. An official Local Organizing Committee will also be developed, inclusive of the bidding organizations. Portland was among seven finalist cities for the five open years of hosting.
“We’ve put in a lot of work to get to this day, and this is certainly a great feeling,” said Etzel. “But the work we have ahead of us is even more substantial. Our bidding partners are aligned, our community is hungry, and Portland is ready to host a Women’s Final Four.”
Outside of Portland, the other winning host cities were Columbus, OH (2027); Indianapolis, IN (2028); San Antonio, TX (2029); and Dallas, TX (2031).
Source: Sport Oregon