Providence Park - Portland Timbers
Updated: Oct 13
Photos by Andrew Kulyk, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00
Providence Park 1844 SW Morrison Portland, OR 97220
Year Opened: 1926
Capacity: 25,218
Taking the Timbers to the Top
Stadium travelers who are exploring and checking out the venues in Major League Soccer might easily dismiss the Portland Timbers and their stadium experience. “Old and shabby former ballpark: “Too old and run down”. “No glitz like some of the newer places”.
Big mistake.
Providence Park has been the home for the Portland Timbers since 1975, but the grounds have been used for soccer going way back to 1893, and the current stadium opened in 1926, making it the oldest continuous use soccer venue in North America. The conversion from a baseball combination configuration happened in 2011, with another expansion taking place in 2019, bringing seating capacity to just over 25,000, perfect for MLS.
Inside and outside, the game day event is without parallel, offering modern amenities in an old school setting.
Food & Beverage 4
With the most recent renovations came a more varied concessions lineup, and Providence Park has no shortage of different food and beverage options to match up to most interests.
Prices are a bit on the high side. Zenner’s sausage, a local staple, offers the standard all beef hot dog ($8), vegan dog ($9), bier brat ($11.50), a 1/2 lb Zenners dog ($14) and the 1/2 lb Zenners Decade Dog, stuffed with mozzarella, marinara and pepperoni (19.26). Popcorn runs $11, a pretzel $8. Bottled soda $8.50. Dasani water $6. Coffee or hot chocolate $5.25. BBQ pork sandwich $16.50. Loaded Mac and cheese $16, with the basic Mac and cheese $12.50.
There is a Hawaiian themed stand offering nachos ($17) or a Hawaiian bowl ($14-$22). The Viva La Fiesta stand offers Mexican food from nachos to bowls to burritos ($16-$22). Canned or draft local and craft beers run from $13 to $14.50.
Atmosphere 5
The energy here is pretty much off the charts, starting with the architecture, old school concourses, and history and memorabilia everywhere, done in woods and decor to announce that this is the Pacific Northwest. The team draws well, and the end zone supporters section is rocking throughout the entire contest, spewing out fireworks and green smoke when the home team scores. It all starts when just walking up to the stadium, the main marquee still using old school letters on a chargeable marquee, and ivy crawling up the discolored brick walls. Head over to the newer grandstand on the opposite side, and the stadium facade is bathed in neon.
Neighborhood 5
How many superlatives can be made for this true “neighborhood ballpark”: tightly nestled in the city’s Goose Hollow neighborhood. There are restaurants, there is shopping, there are tightly wound residential neighborhoods offering just the right mix of energy and urbanism that separates stadiums like this one from peer venues located in the countryside and surrounded by little more than oceans of asphalt to store cars.
There is a lot going on outside, buskers, street vendors, fans mingling and socializing and just soaking it all in before and after the game. On the way out the door, there are multitudes of sausage vendors selling their delicious street food, and the streets are full of the aromas of brats and hot dogs grilling,
Fans 5
The Portland Timbers have some of the most passionate and dedicated fan support in Major League Soccer. Several key elements define their soccer culture. The team consistently draws over 22,000 fans per game, and many sellouts. Demand for tickets is consistent. The Timbers Army fan supporters section in the north end of the park is regarded as one of the noisiest in the league. And the stadium itself, so intimate, a vertical bowl design and surrounded on three sides with canopies makes for a noisy game day atmosphere.
Access 3
Being in such a dense commercial and residential neighborhood, parking is a chore and a challenge. There are just a few private lots, and the Civic Retail Garage at SW Morrison and 18th, but they fill up quickly and are expensive. There are additional parking garages about a 10 to 15 minute walk, and streets around the stadium are a big bottleneck after matches. So here is a better plan; take the TriMet MAX light rail to and from the game, parking for free along the lines and hopping the rail to and from the game. The fare is only $2.50 and there are
two lines, Red and Blue, converging at the Sunset transit Center on the west side of the stadium, just steps from the entrance. Busses and trolleys also offer game day service right to the venue.
Return on Investment 3
Game tickets start at $25 to $40 depending on the game night and opponent, with standard reserved seating along the sidelines going between $50 to $90. For those seeking a premium experience, there is the all inclusive spaces like the Toyota Terrace, or other VIP packages which bring the range anywhere from $100 to $275 per ticket. Add in the above average concession costs, and the experience could become pricey.
Extras 3
The most iconic ritual and spectacle is that of “Timber Joey” on the sidelines cutting a slab of log every time a Timbers player scores a goal, or awarded to the goaltender in the event of a shutout. This is a ritual going back even before 2008, when the original legend, “Timber Jim Serrill” retired.
Final Thoughts
The urban experience, the iconic old school stadium, classic and charming yet modern, the entire “Wrigleyville” feel if one compares this place to that Northside neighborhood in Chicago. All of this is what makes a game day at Provence Park stand out as much more than just ordinary.
At 100 years old, Providence Park isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Plan your game and make it happen.
