Indianapolis Set to Shine as Host of Historic 2025 WNBA All-Star Game

Indianapolis is set to become the center of attention in the sports world once again, as the city prepares to host the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game. This event, scheduled for July 19 at the iconic Gainbridge Fieldhouse, marks a significant milestone as it will be the first time Indianapolis welcomes the WNBA's elite. The excitement kicks off a day earlier on July 18 with the anticipated 3-point contest and skills challenge, promising a weekend filled with basketball festivities. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert expressed her enthusiasm for the event, emphasizing Indiana's deep-rooted passion for basketball. "We are excited to bring AT&T WNBA All-Star to Indiana for the first time," Engelbert stated. "The city of Indianapolis and the entire state of Indiana have such an incredible and enduring passion for the game of basketball, making the region the perfect host to celebrate the WNBA and the game's greatest stars." This announcement comes at a time when the Indiana Fever, the state’s esteemed WNBA franchise, is experiencing a remarkable resurgence. With the addition of standout players like Caitlin Clark, the 2024 No. 1 draft pick, and Aliyah Boston, the 2023 No. 1 pick, the Fever have surged in popularity, leading the league in attendance figures both at home and on the road. The team has reported an astronomical 265 percent increase in attendance compared to the previous season. As the WNBA season progresses, the Fever are also breaking records off the court. The Gainbridge Fieldhouse Team Store has set multiple single-game sales records, and overall net sales have skyrocketed by over 1,000 percent. Social media engagement has seen a significant boost, with the Fever gaining 1.3 million followers across various platforms since mid-April. Moreover, the team’s digital content has garnered over 800 million views in just a few months, making it one of the most viewed among major U.S. sports franchises, only trailing behind the club of soccer superstar Lionel Messi, Miami FC. Television viewership for the Fever has also reached new heights, with ten broadcasts this season setting network records. Notably, the June 23 matchup against the Chicago Sky became the most-watched WNBA game in over two decades, attracting an average of 2.3 million viewers. The increased popularity even extends to the Fever's mascot, Freddy Fever, with appearance requests rising by 150 percent. "This is a historic moment, an inflection point for women's basketball, and there's nothing more fitting than Indiana being at the center of it all," remarked Mel Raines, CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. Raines highlighted the team's commitment to building a competitive roster that fans are eager to support, indicating this momentum is likely to continue for years ahead. Despite a rocky start to the season, with nine losses in their first 11 games, the Fever have found their rhythm, thanks to the developing chemistry between Clark, Boston, two-time All-Star Kelsey Mitchell, and 2022 No. 2 pick NaLyssa Smith. As they head into the second half of the season, Clark is making waves in the league, leading in assists and ranking high in several other categories. As the Fever prepare for their upcoming game against the Phoenix Mercury, scheduled for Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the anticipation for the All-Star Game and the growth of women's basketball in Indiana continues to build. With the WNBA gaining traction and the Fever on the rise, the 2025 All-Star Game is poised to be a landmark event not just for Indianapolis, but for the entire league.