If you were anywhere near downtown Indianapolis in July 2025, you felt it. That hum. It wasn't just the humidity of a Hoosier summer. It was the absolute, undeniable weight of a league that has finally, officially, moved out of the "niche" category and into the "must-see" stratosphere. Honestly, if you missed the WNBA All Star Weekend, you missed the moment the league stopped asking for a seat at the table and just started owning the whole room.
For a long time, the midsummer classic was a cool event for die-hard hoopers. Now? It’s a cultural phenomenon. In 2025, we saw things we’ve never seen before. Sellouts in seven hours. Triple-doubles from bench players. Rookies acting like seasoned vets. It was a lot.
The Indy Takeover: What Really Happened at the 2025 WNBA All Star Weekend
Let's get into the weeds of what actually went down at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. This wasn't just another game. It was the first time Indianapolis hosted the showcase, and they didn't play small. The city leaned into its "basketball cathedral" reputation, and the fans responded by vacuuming up every ticket the second they hit the market back in April.
The format was a bit of a throwback to the "Captain vs. Captain" style that fans seem to love way more than the old East vs. West setup. We had Team Clark and Team Collier. Caitlin Clark, being the local hero and the top fan-vote getter, had the first pick and did exactly what everyone expected: she took her Indiana Fever teammate Aliyah Boston. Chemistry matters, even in an exhibition.
But here's the thing about the game itself—it was a track meet.
Team Collier ended up winning 151-131. Yes, you read that right. 151 points. That’s a league record for an All-Star Game. Napheesa Collier didn't just captain the team; she dismantled the defense, dropping 36 points to take home the MVP trophy. She looked like she was playing at a different speed than everyone else, which is saying something when you’re on the floor with A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart.
Beyond the Scoreboard: The "Firsts" That Mattered
We saw the first-ever All-Star triple-double. Skylar Diggins, coming off the bench for Team Collier, put up 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 15 assists. Think about that for a second. In a game where nobody usually plays defense and everyone is just trying to get their own highlights, she was out there picking apart the defense like it was a Game 7. It was high-level basketball, even if the vibes were loose.
- Napheesa Collier: 36 points (All-Star Game record).
- Skylar Diggins: First-ever ASG triple-double.
- Team Collier: 151 points (Team scoring record).
- Natasha Cloud: Won the Skills Challenge.
- Sabrina Ionescu: Took back her crown in the 3-Point Contest.
Why 2024 Was the Catalyst for This Chaos
You can't talk about the current state of WNBA All Star Weekend without looking back at the 2024 game in Phoenix. That was the "Team WNBA vs. Team USA" year. It was probably the most competitive All-Star Game in sports history because the stakes were actually real. The WNBA stars wanted to prove they should’ve been on the Olympic roster, and the Olympic team wanted to prove they were the best in the world.
Arike Ogunbowale went absolutely nuclear in that game, scoring 34 points in the second half alone. But the real story? That was the first time we saw Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese on the same team. People were obsessed. Every pass Clark made to Reese was analyzed like it was a state secret. It proved that the league had stars that transcended the box score.
That 2024 energy is what fueled the ticket frenzy for 2025. People realized that this weekend isn't just about dunks and deep threes; it's about the narratives. It’s about the fact that these women actually care about winning, even when the game doesn't count in the standings.
WNBA Live and the "Vibe" Shift
If you only watched the game on Saturday night, you only saw half the story. The WNBA Live event at the Indiana Convention Center was basically a two-day festival of fashion, music, and hoops. It’s where you see the players walking the "orange carpet" in fits that belong in Vogue.
The league has successfully bridged the gap between sport and lifestyle. You had "Fever Fest" happening simultaneously, with G-Eazy and BIA performing. Kevin Hart’s media company, Hartbeat, was involved. It felt less like a basketball tournament and more like a massive block party for women’s sports.
Honestly, the intersection of culture and the WNBA is where the league is winning. They aren't trying to be the NBA. They’re building something that feels more community-driven, more accessible, and frankly, more stylish.
The Rookie Factor: Citron and Iriafen
Everyone talks about Clark and Reese, but 2025 showed the depth of the incoming talent. Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen both made the All-Star team as rookies for the Washington Mystics. That hasn't happened since 2014—two rookies from the same team making the cut. It’s a sign that the "rookie bump" wasn't a one-year fluke. The talent pool is getting deeper, and the veterans are having to play harder just to keep their spots.
Looking Ahead: The Windy City is Next
If you missed out on Indy, you’ve basically got a year to get your life together for 2026. The WNBA announced that WNBA All Star Weekend is heading back to Chicago.
The game will be at the United Center on July 25, 2026. This is a big deal. The United Center is massive. It’s the house that MJ built. By moving the game from Wintrust (where the Sky usually play) to the UC, the league is betting that they can fill 20,000+ seats. Given how fast Indy sold out Gainbridge, it’s a safe bet.
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What to expect for Chicago 2026:
- WNBA Live at McCormick Place: They’re going to need the space. Expect more brands, more merch, and way more "streetwear" influence.
- The New Expansion Factor: The Golden State Valkyries are officially in the mix. By 2026, we’ll see how their fans travel. Expect a huge contingent from the Bay Area.
- The United Center Atmosphere: There is a different kind of gravity to playing in that arena. The 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge will still be at Wintrust on Friday, but Saturday night at the UC is going to be electric.
How to Actually Get Tickets (And Not Get Scammed)
Look, I’m being real with you: getting tickets for this weekend is becoming a nightmare because of the demand. If you want to go to Chicago in 2026, you cannot wait until the week of.
- Sign up for the "WNBA Insiders" email list: This is where the presale codes live. If you aren't on the list, you’re fighting for scraps on the secondary market.
- Watch the April/May window: Historically, tickets go on sale in late April. In 2025, it was April 29th. Mark your calendar for mid-April 2026 to start checking the official WNBA site.
- WNBA Live is the budget-friendly move: If the game tickets are too pricey, WNBA Live tickets are usually around $25. You still get to see the players, go to the panels, and feel the energy without dropping $300 on a seat in the 200-level.
The Actionable Bottom Line
The WNBA All Star Weekend is no longer a "check it out if you have time" event. It is the center of the basketball universe for 72 hours every July. If you’re a fan or even just "WNBA-curious," the growth is undeniable.
To make the most of the next one, start by following the league's official social channels now so you don't miss the voting windows in June. Voting for your favorite players isn't just a gimmick; it literally determines the captains and the rosters, and as we saw with Team Clark vs. Team Collier, those picks matter. Plan your travel for Chicago early, because the "Caitlin Clark Effect" combined with the expansion of the league means hotel prices near the United Center are going to skyrocket the second the dates are set in stone.
Stay locked into the stats for the first half of the 2026 season. The roster spots are getting harder to earn, and the snubs are getting more controversial. That’s a good thing. It means the game is healthy, the players are elite, and the weekend is only going to get bigger from here.