Preparing for a Slam Dunk: Committee Learns from Past Hosts Ahead of 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend

The WNBA All-Star Weekend is set to take center stage in Indianapolis in July, with officials saying this will be the first time the city has hosted the event. The game and festivities are scheduled to take place on July 18-19.

Ticket sales for Saturday's game sold out quickly, but fans can still enjoy other activities during the weekend, including the 3-Point Contest and Kia WNBA Skills Challenge.

“We set the bar pretty high, and we hope we jump over it,” said Mel Raines, CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. Raines has been involved in hosting major sporting events in Indianapolis and is looking to previous hosts for inspiration.

With less than two months left until the event, city leaders say preparation is well underway. Raines notes that ticket sales for last year's All-Star Game more than doubled from the previous year, according to StubHub, and hopes to build on that success.

"We're going to try to build on that. And then also try to connect our purpose-built downtown with a lot of activation that we're able to do just because of our weather," Raines said.

Indianapolis has experience hosting large events, including the NBA All-Star Game and concerts by Taylor Swift and WWE's Royal Rumble. Raines hopes that the city's success will lead to future event hosting opportunities.

“What we were able to do outside in June for the swimming trials was a great foundation for us. As much as the NBA All-Star game was, hopefully, this isn’t the last WNBA All-Star Game that we are going to host,” Raines said.

Local artist Kwazar Martin is also preparing for the event. He will be doing a live painting on a giant W in front of the crowd during the WNBA All-Star Weekend.