Permit applications are processed and issued throughout the year.
Guidelines for Reserving Athletic Facilities
*Please note: Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) athletic permitting fees are subject to change in 2025. For the most up-to-date information, please check back or contact us directly.
Types of Permits
Simple Permits (2-2-2)
Simple athletic permit (2-2-2) allows for two hours during the week (two hours in one day, or two one-hour blocks during the week), and two hours on one weekend day for no more than two weeks from the date of booking. To apply customers must call Reservations and Payments (R&P) at 503-823-2525 Ext #3. Processing and usage fees are assessed by facility type, field, and per park for courts. All fees and are due at the time of booking.
*Individuals/Organizations are limited to one simple 2-2-2 athletic permit within a 2-week period.
Leagues, Tournaments, and Camps
Leagues:
A league is an organized group or series of teams or individuals that compete against each other over a period of time. Leagues usually have a set structure with regular seasons, rankings, and playoffs. Leagues often run year-round or over an extended period, and the competition typically follows a consistent schedule.
Tournaments:
A tournament is a competition in which participants (teams or individuals) compete against each other in a series of rounds, often in a knockout format, until a winner is determined. Tournaments are usually short-term events and can be either single-elimination or round-robin style.
Camps:
A camp typically refers to a program or event focused on training, practice, or development, often organized for a specific sport or activity. Camps are usually short-term and can be for players of all skill levels, focusing on improving techniques, building teamwork, and enhancing physical fitness.
*No application requests will be processed without the appropriate application processing fee. The application processing fees are assessed by facility or per field, per week for camps, and per park for courts. (Camp hours are defined as 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday.) To view which fields will best fit your needs please use our Find a Park https://www.portland.gov/parks/search tool.
Request an Athletic Field
We are pleased to announce the updated application process for 2025. To ensure a smooth and efficient application experience, we have outlined the following steps:
Before beginning the application process, please review the eligibility requirements to ensure that you meet all necessary criteria. You may be asked to provide supporting documentation to verify eligibility.
Fill out the Athletic Facilities Request Form: Complete the form with the necessary details about the field, dates, and times you wish to reserve.
Submission Confirmation: After submitting the form, a staff member will receive your request and email you within 1-2 business days an invoice for the application fee(s), along with payment instructions. (Please note, tournaments and large multi facility requests may take more than 5 business days for processing) They may also request additional documentation (such as proof of non-profit status, insurance, or waivers).
Payment of Fees: No permit will be issued until all application fees are paid and all necessary documentation is submitted. Once payment is made, the staff will proceed with the following:
- Send you a statement confirming the fields, dates, and times booked.
- Ask for a 50% payment of the usage fees.
Confirmation: After receiving the notification, you must confirm your booking within 10 days. If confirmation is not received within that period, the permit will be canceled.
Payment Plan: If the booking is confirmed, payments will be made according to the following schedule:
- Application fee + 50% of usage fees: Required before the permit is issued.
- 25% of the balance: Due on or before the first reserved date.
- 25% of the balance: Due 30 days after the first reserved date.
- For tournaments: The remaining 50% is due 30 days after the first payment or at least 30 days before the first event date.
Payment Requirements:
- If the booking is within two weeks of the application date or is 1 month or less in length, full payment is required upfront.
- If payments or arrangements are not made, the permit will be canceled.
If you cannot submit an application online, you can print and complete the form below and proceed in one of three ways:
- Email your application to parksportspermits@portlandorego….
- Mail your application with cash or a check made out to the address below
- Visit our office at the address below during standard business hours and bring your application and cash, a check, or a credit card for payment
- Fax your application to (503) 823-2515, and we will contact you for payment
Portland Parks & Recreation Customer Service Center
1120 SW Fifth Avenue, First Floor
Portland, OR 97204
*Please note: Fees are subject to change in 2025.
Athletic Field Permit Fee Explanation
PP&R recognizes its responsibility to provide athletic fields for a variety of sports at many levels of competition. PP&R subsidizes the use of City athletic fields to provide affordable access to its residents. City policy calls for a tiered subsidy for residents based on need, and full cost for other groups. To that end, additional fees will be included on the following specific athletic field uses: commercial, non-resident, and secondary season use.
The number of sport leagues requesting PP&R athletic fields has greatly increased in the past 10 years. Primary and secondary season designations allow PP&R to focus on sports during their primary season by helping to manage overall costs. Secondary season fees have been added to assist in recovering the costs of maintaining fields beyond primary season play.
Primary and Secondary Seasons
Primary seasons are the fixed dates recognized by PP&R as a sport’s main season of play. Secondary seasons are all dates outside of any sport's recognized primary season. PP&R recognizes its responsibility to provide athletic facilities for use by a variety of sports at many levels of competition. These designations allow PP&R to focus support on sports during their primary season. Primary and secondary season sports and application windows can be found below.
Seasonal Field Conversion Schedule
PP&R maintains more than 300 athletic fields and courts. The majority of these fields are converted from one sport to another based on the season. This means that work to set goalposts and field lining for the recognized in-season sport will start on the dates listed below.
Field conversions can take two or more weeks depending on weather and the condition of the park. Since these fields are heavily used, it's important that users help protect this resource. Please do your part by respecting permitted use and staying off the fields when they are too wet. This will ensure player safety and avoid damage to the fields.
Spring and summer field conversion begins on February 16. Fall field conversion begins August 16.
Apply to Use an Athletic Field
- Accepting applications for spring primary season sports: December 15, 2024.
- Accepting applications for spring secondary season sports: February 15, 2025
- Accepting applications for fall primary season sports: June 1, 2025
- Accepting applications for fall secondary season sports: July 15, 2025
- Accepting applications for winter sports: September 15, 2025
No single sport or organization may exceed 50% of the capacity of our synthetic fields if demand remains.
Recognized In-season Sport Schedule
Spring/Summer: February 16 - August 15
- Lacrosse
- February through May (primary)
- Rugby - Youth
- February through May (primary)
- Baseball - Youth
- March through July (primary)
- Softball – Youth
- March through July (primary)
- Soccer - Youth
- April through May (secondary) (weekend games only)
- Ultimate Frisbee
- April through June (primary)
- Baseball - Adult
- April through August (primary)
- Softball – Adult
- April through August (primary)
Fall: August 16 - November 30
- Football
- August through November (primary)
- Rugby - Adult
- August through November (primary)
- Soccer - Youth/Adult
- August through November (primary)
- Cross Country
- September through October (primary)
Winter (synthetic fields only): December 1 - February 15
- Soccer - Youth
- December through February (primary
In addition to the primary sport season, PP&R issues permits based on the following priorities:
- Programs sponsored by PP&R
- Games and practices sponsored by Portland Public Schools
- Other reciprocating youth agencies
- Additional users based on field availability
Inclement Weather & Field Closures
Grass sports and athletic fields may need to temporarily close due to weather conditions, so they are not damaged and can remain in good, playable conditions. Notices of any temporary closures will be sent to permit holders, and as capacity allows, posted on the Bureau's Inclement Weather page: https://www.portland.gov/parks/weather
Commercial Education and Fitness Activities
If you are providing fitness or educational commercial activities in one or more Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) parks, a permit is required, and the following policies apply to your use in addition to the General Guidelines for Commercial Activity at PP&R's Outdoor Facilities.
Commercial Activity - Education and Fitness Activity Policies (2025) (pdf)
Athletic Field - Food, Beverage, and Product Sales – Policies
If you are selling food, beverages and/or products in a Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) park, a permit is required, and the following policies apply.
Commercial Activity Athletic Field Food, Beverage, and Product Sales Policies (2025)
Ongoing Permit Support
If you have any questions about your permit(s), need to make any booking changes, or would like any additional permit support, please email ParkSportsPermits@portlandoregon.gov or call (503) 823-2525 Ext. #3.
You can also access your online account, view existing permits, and make payment through our reservation portal.