The Official Guide to Portland
Emilly Prado is a writer, award-winning journalist and consultant living in Portland. Read More elevator limit switch
Emilly Prado is a writer, award-winning journalist and consultant living in Portland. Read More
At Portland’s beloved roller derby, the crowd roars while bodies slam, block, zip, zoom and skate across a checkered track. Players, often with pun-tinged derby names like Bonnie Thunders and Big Bang Fury, make their way around an oval track. Rose City Rollers derby league bouts burst with energy from the packed stands of a warehouse rink at the north end of the Oaks Amusement Park campus and occasionally at larger arenas like the Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The flow is fast-paced and frenetic but peppered with pileups where time slows as the jammers (point scorers) attempt to swerve around the blockers in their way. Hip checks, jostling and collisions abound, as do broad smiles and cheers as teams inch closer to victory.
Careful: If you do attend, you might leave with a new favorite sport.
The rowdy sport of roller derby was once a spartan endurance race before the mid-1930s, peaking in popularity about a decade later. Attempts to rekindle it led to televised matches and even theatrical adaptations, but it wasn’t until the early 2000s that all-women amateur teams launched their own leagues, kickstarting the roller derby revival. Founded in 2004, Portland’s Rose City Rollers has evolved to encompass a full-fledged inclusive community of skaters across gender expression, age, and race.
The league has four adult home teams, the Break Neck Betties, Guns N Rollers, Heartless Heathers, High Rollers, and recreational and junior derby programs. Hand-picked from home teams, all-star teams travel across Oregon and the country in head-to-head competitions, culminating in regional and global championships. In 2024, the Wheels of Justice, Rose City Rollers’ adult, internationally ranked travel team, snagged first place in the 2024 Global Roller Derby Championships — hosted, of course, in Portland!
Energized chatter, laughter and enthusiasm — as well as a robust fan code of conduct — set the stage for the experience at the Hangar at Oaks Amusement Park, where the entry line snakes well before doors open, rain or shine. The roller derby season primarily runs from January to June, and event nights offer the chance to see back-to-back bouts, although single-game tickets are available.
Nearly every game night sells out; it’s not if but when, so buy your tickets in advance! Although the general stadium seating is unassigned and fills up, there are no bad seats in the house. A slight head tilt may be needed to see past the swaying pride flags and handmade posters cheering on the players. ADA seating is also available.
Learning the rules can be tricky initially, but the Rose City Rollers have a handy guide to the basics. Or, if you’re like me, you might lean over to your seatmate and ask them to kindly decipher the game. It’s that kind of atmosphere — friendly, familiar and loud. The action unfolds fast, but one easy tip is to keep your eye on the lead jammer from each team, conveniently distinguished by a star on their helmets.
The Hangar, the Rose City Rollers home stadium, is simply laid out: beverages and merch near the entrance, concessions in the tented area outdoors, just past the stadium seating and before the VIP and group seats. The colorful oval track filled with roller derby athletes and officials dominates the space.
The “Plow Stop Bar” offers an assortment of alcoholic and NA beverages, many of which are Rose City Rollers sponsors, including 2Towns Cider, Rogue Ales and Lion Heart Kombucha.
Visitors will typically find two rotating food vendors offering snacky and hearty omnivore choices like freshly seasoned popcorn or woodfired pizzas.
The Rose City Rollers host awesome events year-round and is a community staple for its beginner- and family-friendly offerings.
The league’s Skatemobile brings free public skating events to parks around Portland every summer and comes stocked with 150+ pairs of roller skates, pads, helmets and supplies to turn any flat surface into a roller rink. The Skatemobile is also available for rent, while other events include summer camps and introductory programs designed to help new derby skaters gain confidence.
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Back to hosting for the first time in years, Portland’s Rose City Rollers welcomed the Global Roller Derby Championship for 2024’s comeback event, where 13 of the best roller derby teams from around the globe converged to compete for the Hydra trophy at this 16-game, single-elimination tournament spanning three days. While the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association rotates the location each year, Rose City Rollers are frequent hosts and champions — including the 2024 event.
Visitors to The Hangar should arrive early to check out Oaks Amusement Park. In addition to rides and carnival games, the park houses a historic roller rink — the last remaining skating rink in the country with live music from a Wurlitzer pipe organ.
In the nearby Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood, get a pre- or post-game drink at Zenbu Lounge, which features an extensive list of over 60 Japanese whiskies. Try southern plates at Reverend’s BBQ or classic Italian American eats at Gino’s Restaurant and Bar for dinner, then walk off your meal in Sellwood Riverfront Park.
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