The NBA All-Star Game 2025 location isn't just another stadium on a list. It’s a massive homecoming for the Bay Area. For the first time ever, the festivities are landing right in the heart of San Francisco at Chase Center.
If you’ve been following the league for a while, you know the Warriors have a complicated history with where they actually "live." They spent decades in Oakland, then moved across the bridge to a shiny new billion-dollar arena in 2019. Now, the league is finally rewarding that move by bringing the 74th NBA All-Star Game to the Mission Bay neighborhood.
Honestly, it’s about time.
The last time the Warriors hosted this thing was back in 2000. Back then, it was at the Oakland Arena (better known as Oracle to most of us). That was the year Vince Carter basically reinvented the gravity-defying dunk. Before that? You have to go all the way back to 1967 at the Cow Palace in Daly City. So yeah, the 2025 location is a pretty big deal for local fans who have waited twenty-five years for the circus to come back to town.
Where Exactly Is Everything Happening?
Don't think this is just a one-building event. While the main NBA All-Star Game 2025 location is Chase Center, the league is spreading the love across the entire Bay. It's kinda like a takeover.
📖 Related: The Truth About the Memphis Grizzlies Record 2025: Why the Standings Don't Tell the Whole Story
The schedule is split up to keep traffic from becoming a total nightmare—though, let's be real, it's San Francisco, so traffic is always a nightmare.
- Chase Center (San Francisco): This is the Mothership. It’s hosting the Rising Stars on Friday, the All-Star Saturday Night (dunk contest, three-point shootout), and the big game on Sunday, February 16.
- Oakland Arena (Oakland): They aren't forgetting the East Bay. The Celebrity Game and the HBCU Classic are scheduled to go down at the Warriors' old stomping grounds.
- Moscone Center (San Francisco): This is where "NBA Crossover" happens. It’s basically a massive fan fest with interactive games, merch, and player appearances.
The cool part about the Chase Center location is Thrive City. That’s the huge outdoor plaza surrounding the arena. Usually, it’s just a spot to grab a beer before a game, but for All-Star weekend, they’re turning it into a massive viewing party zone with big screens and live music. If you can’t afford the $2,000+ tickets to get inside, hanging out at Thrive City is basically the next best thing.
Why the Location Matters This Year
The NBA is experimenting with a brand-new format for 2025. Instead of the traditional East vs. West or even the drafted captains format, they’re doing a four-team mini-tournament.
Think of it like a lightning-round bracket.
👉 See also: The Division 2 National Championship Game: How Ferris State Just Redrew the Record Books
Three teams are made up of 24 All-Stars, and the fourth team is actually the winner of the Rising Stars game from earlier in the weekend. Because the game is at Chase Center, everyone is expecting Stephen Curry to put on a show. He’s the local hero, and the pressure is on for him to defend the home court in this weird new tournament style.
Getting Around the City
Look, if you're planning to head to the NBA All-Star Game 2025 location, do not drive. Seriously.
The city is shutting down streets around Mission Bay and the Moscone Center. The SFMTA is amping up the T-Third Street light rail line, which drops you literally right in front of Chase Center. If you're coming from the East Bay, take BART to Embarcadero and then hop on the Muni.
Actually, some people are even talking about taking the ferry. There’s a ferry terminal right behind the arena. Coming across the water with a view of the Bay Bridge while heading to see LeBron and Giannis? That's a vibe you can't get in Indianapolis or Salt Lake City.
✨ Don't miss: Por qué los partidos de Primera B de Chile son más entretenidos que la división de honor
Is It Worth the Hype?
A lot of people complain that the All-Star Game has become a "no-defense" highlight reel. While that’s sort of true, the 2025 location adds a layer of prestige. San Francisco is a tech and culture hub, and the NBA is leaning into that. Expect to see way more "A-list" celebrities than usual because of the proximity to Silicon Valley and Hollywood.
The city is also setting up "NBA All-Star Alley" along Powell Street. They’re taking over empty storefronts for pop-up shops and art galleries. It’s basically turning the downtown area into a basketball theme park for four days.
If you're heading out there, make sure to check out:
- The custom basketball court installed in Union Square.
- The massive "Seeing Spheres" art installation outside Chase Center (perfect for the 'Gram).
- The food scene in the Dogpatch neighborhood, which is walking distance from the game.
The Bay Area has always been a basketball hotbed, from the "Run TMC" days to the dynasty years. Having the NBA All-Star Game 2025 location in San Francisco feels like a formal acknowledgment that the Warriors are now the center of the basketball universe.
If you want to stay ahead of the crowds, download the official NBA Events App. It has the real-time maps for the shuttles and the schedules for player appearances at the Moscone Center. Also, keep an eye on the weather; February in SF is hit or miss. It could be a beautiful 65 degrees, or it could be a sideways rainstorm. Layers are your best friend.
Map out your transit route now using the SFMTA Trip Planner to avoid the $100 Uber surge prices that are guaranteed to hit during Sunday's tip-off.