Portland Trail Blazers
Updated: Aug 30
Portland Trail Blazers Travel Guide: Moda Center
How to Get There
Flying In: You will fly into Portland International Airport (PDX). It consistently ranks as one of the best and most passenger-friendly airports in the country and is well-serviced by major airlines like Alaska Airlines, Delta, and Southwest Airlines.
Airport Transit: The MAX Light Rail (Red Line) provides direct service from PDX to the Rose Quarter Transit Center, dropping you right at the arena plaza in about 40 minutes. Alternatively, a rideshare into downtown takes about 20 to 30 minutes depending on I-84 traffic.
Where to Stay
Moda Center is located in the Rose Quarter, situated just across the Willamette River from downtown Portland. Staying in downtown or the Pearl District gives you the best access to food, iconic breweries, and easy transit to the game.
Budget/Mid-Range Options
Courtyard Portland City Center: Located right in downtown, this highly reliable option is close to transit lines and excellent dining. It puts you in a perfect central location and typically runs between 20,000 to 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Moxy Portland Downtown: Situated in the West End, this trendy, compact hotel features a fantastic food cart pod right outside the lobby doors. It is a highly walkable base camp with redemptions generally ranging from 25,000 to 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Higher-End Options
The Nines, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Portland: Located centrally near Pioneer Courthouse Square, this luxury property features incredible dining at Departure and Urban Farmer. Expect redemptions around 50,000 to 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Hyatt Centric Downtown Portland: Situated just a few blocks from the Pearl District, this boutique hotel offers modern design and an excellent, highly walkable location. You can usually book this for 12,000 to 15,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
Nearby Activities
Powell's City of Books: Located in the Pearl District, this is the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world. It occupies an entire city block, and you can easily spend hours browsing the color-coded rooms.
Washington Park: Take a short rideshare to this massive urban park. It is home to the Portland Japanese Garden and the International Rose Test Garden, offering stunning views of Mount Hood on clear days.
Pregame Food and Drink
Spirit of 77: Located just a short walk from the Rose Quarter, this expansive, high-energy sports bar is the epicenter of the Blazers pregame scene. It features indoor pop-a-shot, an extensive local tap list, and gets packed with fans.
Upright Brewing: Located right in the Rose Quarter footprint, this craft brewery offers fantastic farmhouse-style ales in a relaxed setting before joining the arena crowds.
Driftwood Room: If you are staying downtown and want a classic, upscale cocktail before heading to the arena, this iconic, dimly lit lounge inside Hotel deLuxe is a Portland staple.
Getting to the Event
MAX Light Rail: Portland's light rail system is incredibly efficient for game days. The Blue, Green, Red, and Yellow lines all stop at the Rose Quarter Transit Center, which is located directly adjacent to Moda Center.
Walking: If you stay on the east side of the river in the Lloyd District, the walk to the arena is very short. If you stay downtown, you can walk across the Steel Bridge, which features a dedicated pedestrian walkway dropping you right at the Rose Quarter.
Driving: If you choose to drive, Moda Center offers several adjacent parking garages, including the East and West Garages on North Flint Avenue. Parking passes can be pre-purchased, but navigating the immediate traffic post-game can be slow.
Where to Sit at Moda Center
The Trail Blazers Bench: The home team sits in front of Section 122.
Away Fans: If you are traveling to support the visiting team, you want to target Section 102, which sits directly behind the visitor's bench.
The Premium Club Experience: The Club Level (200-level) offers a fantastic premium setup. These tickets provide access to an exclusive concourse with upscale food and beverage options, private restrooms, and less crowding.
The Sweet Spot: To get great lower-bowl energy without paying center-court premium prices, look at the corner sections, specifically Sections 103, 110, 114, or 121.
The Budget Seats: The 300-level provides the most affordable tickets. For the best balance of price and center-court views, target the lower rows of Sections 317-319 or 301-303. (Moda Center also features a unique "Theater of the Clouds" curtain system for smaller events, but for Blazers games, the full bowl is open and incredibly loud).
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