Portland is bracing for a full-court press of people this weekend as the NCAA men's tournament's first and second rounds roll into the Moda Center and the Rose Quarter. The hoops takeover lands right on top of St. Patrick's Day festivities, which means downtown is set for heavier-than-usual foot traffic, thicker car lines and longer waits at just about every bar, restaurant and hotel within walking distance of the arena.
KATU's ARC PDX program has been spotlighting the tournament's local impact and noting that a world‑champion Irish dancer is slated to perform in Portland over the holiday weekend. The show is steering viewers to ARC PDX's livestream and KATU subchannels for on-the-ground coverage, underscoring how March Madness and St. Patrick's Day programming will collide around the Rose Quarter.
Where and when
The first and second rounds are locked in at the Moda Center from March 19–21, 2026, with Oregon State University serving as the local host, according to Travel Portland. Event listings show multiple sessions spread over the three days and confirm the arena address as 1 N Center Ct St. For exact session times and to buy tickets, the official schedule and purchase links are posted on NCAA Tournament Portland.
Economic bump expected
City leaders and tourism officials are eyeing a serious boost to the local bottom line. Visitors are projected to spend somewhere in the $10 million to $20 million range while they are in town, according to KATU. That kind of weekend influx typically fills hotel rooms and packs dining rooms, which is why city agencies and venue partners spend weeks plotting out security, staffing and transit plans before the first tipoff.
Getting there and parking
The Rose Quarter is strongly nudging fans toward transit. The district recommends taking MAX light rail and TriMet buses to the Rose Quarter Transit Center to sidestep the worst of the congestion, noting there are more than 2,500 parking spaces across its garages and lots for those who do drive. For specifics on which MAX lines stop at the transit center and how the lots are laid out, visitors are directed to the Rose Quarter's visitor and parking pages.
Attendees should pad their schedules for security screening and crowds. Tournament organizers suggest considering pre-booked parking or loading up a transit pass in advance to make arrivals and exits smoother when thousands of fans are all trying to move at once.
Follow along
If you are skipping the arena crowds, you will not be short on ways to keep up. Local outlets are offering tournament coverage and livestreams, while the Portland event site for the tournament lists session schedules and ticket details. Fans are encouraged to keep an eye on event pages and local traffic advisories in case start times shift or nearby streets close on short notice.
For those watching from farther afield, national broadcasts and streaming options remain with the usual sports networks and the NCAA's own channels.
