Portland Trail Blazers fans won’t have to wait for the preseason opener to get their first look at the team. The Blazers are putting on their annual Fan Fest this Sunday, Oct. 4, at 4 p.m. at the Moda Center, giving Rip City a free, family-friendly chance to watch an open scrimmage before the 2026-27 season gets rolling.
The event comes with a few familiar faces and a couple of notable firsts. Fans will get a look at Damian Lillard back on the court in the Moda Center, while Ja Morant is set to play in front of the Portland crowd for the first time as a member of the team.
Scoot Henderson said the energy around the event is part of what the team wants to carry into the season.
“I want the Portland Trail Blazers fans to understand that we got a lot of high energy just coming into the season,” Scoot Henderson said when asked about Fan Fest. “I know that's (an) easy thing to do coming into the season, but I feel like that this is something that we can kind of sustain throughout the ups and downs. Rip City is one of the most loyal fan bases out there, and it's all gonna pay off.”
Fans need to register ahead of time to claim a free ticket. Doors open at 3 p.m., and with open seating inside the Moda Center, an early arrival is the best way to lock in a good spot. Parking is free in the Rose Quarter Garden Garage, but travelers should expect disruptions because of the planned I-5 Southbound closure and build in extra time getting to and from the arena.
There will be more than just basketball on the floor. The BlazerDancers, stunt team, Blaze the Trail Cat and Douglas Fur are all scheduled to entertain, and fans who get there early will have a shot at a free gift courtesy of Toyota.
The concourse will have its own share of activity, too. The Rip City Remix will be there with giveaway items and information on the upcoming 2026-27 G League season. Certain concessions will be open, and Rip City Clothing will have the team shop running for anyone looking to grab new gear for the season.
After Fan Fest, Portland’s preseason schedule moves quickly. The Blazers host the Warriors on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m.
They’ll then welcome the London Lions of Great Britain’s Super League Basketball on Monday, Oct. 12, for a 1 p.m. exhibition. The preseason wraps with road games against the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 13 and the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 16, with both tipping at 7 p.m.
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Blazers Make Another Camp Cut As Their Next Roster Plan Emerges
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Instead, Portland moved quickly to part ways with Bell after old racist and offensive tweets from 2012 and 2013 surfaced, prompting the club to issue a statement condemning the posts and reaffirming its commitment to inclusive values. It leaves the Blazers once again searching for a replacement at a time when the focus was supposed to be on basketball, not another abrupt broadcast reset. [Read more 🡒]
Blazers Coach Already Faces A Damian Lillard Ja Morant Dilemma
Micah Nori is already trying to sort through one of the more intriguing lineup questions facing Portland before the preseason even gets rolling. With Damian Lillard and Ja Morant both on the roster, the Trail Blazers have enough shot creation in the backcourt to make any coach curious, but also enough size concerns to make the fit tricky. Nori has said he wants to test different combinations and see what works best, which is exactly the kind of early-camp experiment this situation calls for.
The tension comes from how Portland balances pure talent against defensive stability, especially when two undersized guards are involved. Nori has made clear that his contract status will not influence those decisions, and Jrue Holiday looms as the more defense-first alternative if the Blazers decide they need more balance in the starting five. For now, the roster gives Portland options, but it also leaves one of the teams biggest questions sitting right at the point of attack. [Read more 🡒]