Six months ago, Indianapolis hosted the NBA All-Star Weekend, bringing hundreds of thousands of people from dozens of countries to experience fun amongst a frigid downtown tundra. This time, for the first time, Circle City will host the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend under a warm July sun.
The league announced the decision on Aug. 15 after the season’s break for the 2024 Summer Olympics. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is eager to host the festivities in Indy.
“We are excited to bring AT&T WNBA All-Star to Indiana for the first time,” Engelbert said. The commissioner believes the city of Indianapolis is “the perfect host” to celebrate the league’s greatest stars.
The following day, the Indiana Fever took on the Seattle Storm at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. During an early break in the contest, Indiana Fever Hall of Fame forward and local business owner Tamika Catchings delivered her very own announcement to the crowd in downtown Indianapolis.
“We are going to host the WNBA All-Star Game next year, right here, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse,” Catchings said. The announcement garnered a slew of cheers.
WNBA fan Dior Johnson of Indianapolis believes hosting WNBA All-Star is important because of representation.
“My daughter looks up to all of the WNBA players getting drafted, playing in the league, becoming all-stars,” Johnson told the Indianapolis Recorder. “It is great for the city and the youth.”
Johnson also attended NBA All-Star Weekend in February, which brought in upwards of $420 million for the city.
Pacers CEO Mel Raines was also at the game against the Seattle Storm and believes the city is amid something special.
Related: 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis
“We are in the middle of a pivotal, transformational moment in the history of the WNBA and women’s basketball,” Raines said. “We are thrilled Indiana will be the center of it all with the game’s biggest stars on display during next season’s All-Star Game.”
This year’s WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix, AZ was the most-watched since the game’s inception in 1999. The contest garnered a sold-out crowd and more than 3.4 million viewers.
“I am really happy for our org, our franchise and the city of Indianapolis,” Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark said. “It is a testament to how they have supported us.”
Clark, who received an all-star nod earlier this season, alongside teammates Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, thinks next year’s festivities will be one for the ages.
“I don’t think there is a better place for the All-Star Game. [Indianapolis] is going to do everything they can to make [2025 All-Star] the best one in WNBA history.”
Clark may be onto something, as Indianapolis continues to be a beacon for brands to host some of their biggest events. Earlier this summer, WWE announced it would host the 2025 Royal Rumble at Lucas Oil Stadium. The city is also expected to host SummerSlam and WrestleMania at a later date.
Mayor of Indianapolis Joe Hogsett also believes the city is heating up with hosting global activations.
“Indianapolis is on a roll as the host city for major events,” Hogsett said in a statement. “The city looks forward to partnering with the WNBA, Pacers Sports & Entertainment and the Simon Family over the coming months to make sure this game and the events surrounding it are memorable for all.”
Hogsett, like many fans, is excited for an all-star weekend during the summer.
“Our city looks forward to welcoming the WNBA and its fans in the same way we welcomed the NBA and its fans in February for the All-Star Weekend, of course, minus the snow.”
The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game is slated for July 19. Catchings said fans can get involved online. For more information, visit wnbaexperiences.com.
Contact multi-media & senior sports reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on X @3Noral.
