Indianapolis, a city known for its vibrant sports culture and annual events like the Final Four and the NFL Draft Combine, is preparing for a new milestone. For the first time, the city will host the WNBA All-Star Game in the summer of 2025.
Scheduled for July 19 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the event will kick off with the 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge the day before, July 18.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert expressed excitement about the choice of location, noting, “Bringing the AT&T WNBA All-Star to Indianapolis aligns perfectly with Indiana’s deep basketball history and rabid fan base. It’s an ideal backdrop to showcase the league’s top talent.”
This development coincides with a notable increase in popularity for the hometown team, the Indiana Fever. The team, bolstered by recent first-round draft picks Caitlin Clark (2024) and Aliyah Boston (2023), leads the WNBA in both home and away attendance this year. Recently released numbers show an impressive 265 percent increase in attendance over the previous season.
With the WNBA season resuming, the Fever have seen record-breaking merchandise sales at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse Team Store and a dramatic surge in online engagement. The team’s social media following has grown by 1.3 million since mid-April, and their video content has amassed over 800 million views, second only to Miami FC among U.S. sports franchises for the period.
Fever game broadcasts also drew unprecedented viewership, with one game drawing the highest WNBA viewership in more than two decades, averaging 2.3 million viewers.
Mel Raines, CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, reflected on the significance of this event, saying, “This milestone reflects a transformative era for women's basketball, with Indiana perfectly positioned at the center. Our team's growing support and emerging talent are poised to further elevate the sport.”
Despite a rocky start to the season, the Fever have found their groove, with standout performances from Clark, Boston, Kelsey Mitchell and NaLyssa Smith, who have improved their on-court chemistry. Clark is currently one of the league’s best, leading the freshmen in assists and points.
The Fever look to continue their upward trajectory when they take on the Phoenix Mercury this Friday, with play kicking off at 7:30 p.m. ET.