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Indianapolis, a city renowned for its vibrant sporting culture and annual events like the Final Four and the NFL Draft Combine, is gearing up for a new milestone. For the first time, the city will welcome 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 on the preceding day, July 18.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert expressed enthusiasm about the location choice, noting, “Bringing the AT&T WNBA All-Star to Indianapolis aligns perfectly with Indiana’s deep-rooted basketball history and fervent fanbase. It’s an ideal backdrop to showcase the league’s top talent.”
This development coincides with a remarkable rise in the popularity of the local team, the Indiana Fever. The team, bolstered by recent top draft picks Caitlin Clark (2024) and Aliyah Boston (2023), leads the WNBA in both home and away game attendances this year. Recent figures released show an impressive 265 percent increase in attendance compared to the previous season.
As the WNBA season resumes, the Fever report record-breaking merchandise sales at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse Team Store and an exponential 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 in the U.S. sports franchise rankings for the period.
Broadcasts of Fever games have also seen unprecedented viewership, with one game attracting the highest WNBA viewership in over two decades, averaging 2.3 million viewers.
Mel Raines, CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, reflected on the significance of this event, stating, “This milestone reflects a transformative era for women’s basketball, with Indiana perfectly positioned at its heart. Our team’s growing support and emerging talent are set to elevate the sport even further.”
Despite a challenging start to the season, the Fever have found their rhythm, with standout performances from Clark, Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, and NaLyssa Smith, enhancing their on-court chemistry. Clark is currently a standout in the league, leading in assists and scoring among rookies.
The Fever aim to continue their upward trajectory as they face the Phoenix Mercury this Friday, with the game starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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