The WNBA will host its 2026 All-Star Weekend on July 24-25 in Chicago. While the main events will take place at Wintrust Arena and United Center, fans can expect plenty of festivities throughout the city. Wintrust Arena will host the State Farm WNBA 3-Point Contest and Kia WNBA Skills Challenge on Friday at 8 p.m. ET, while the All-Star Game tips off Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET at United Center.
Headlining the weekend’s activities is WNBA Live presented by AWS, the league’s official fan festival. The event will bring together an extensive lineup of sponsors and partners to celebrate the WNBA’s intersection of sports, culture, music, technology and history. Held at McCormick Place from July 23-25, WNBA Live will feature activations from 34 partners and licensees, offering fans a variety of interactive experiences.
WNBA Live Offers Countless Opportunities for Fans
Fans attending the WNBA Live presented by AWS during the weekend will have access to a wide range of interactive experiences centered on basketball, technology, retail and player engagement.
Basketball-themed activations include Ally Bank’s arcade-style Savings Bucket Challenge, American Express’ shooting challenge, Capella University’s trivia and shooting game, Lifetime’s official WNBA hoops, Google Pixel’s “Hoop Dreams” experience, Pop-A-Shot’s mobile arcade, State Farm’s 3-point challenge on a LED court and Tissot’s Summer Hoops Club. Kia, ION and DICK’S Sporting Goods also will feature basketball games, athlete appearances, giveaways and digital experiences, while ESPN will recreate its SportsCenter desk and showcase three decades of WNBA history.
Merchandise and customization are also a major focus throughout the event.
Rank & Rally will operate the official retail store featuring All-Star merchandise and products from several league licensees, while Coach, Playa Society, Pro Standard, Round21 and Xfinity will offer exclusive apparel, customization stations, limited-edition products and photo opportunities. Outerstuff will feature youth merchandise, and Panini will distribute digital trading cards and exclusive card packs while displaying autographed memorabilia. Fans also can receive commemorative items and branded giveaways at activations hosted by Ally, DoorDash and Procter & Gamble.
Play Puzzles & Games on Forbes
Several brands are incorporating player appearances, community programming and fan access into their activations.
WNBA players are scheduled to appear throughout the weekend at Ally, DoorDash, Kia, Playa Society, Pro Standard, La Crema and Xfinity events. WNBA ID members will receive expedited entry into WNBA Live and an exclusive gift, while American Express cardholders will have dedicated entrances and expedited access at select events. Bumble will recreate its Orange Carpet photo experience, and KultureCity will provide trained volunteers and a mobile sensory room to improve accessibility for guests with sensory needs.
The weekend also includes basketball development and educational programming.
The NBA and FIBA will host the Women’s Basketball Without Borders All-Star Camp Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest featuring youth players from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. Jr. WNBA programming includes a basketball clinic for girls and a panel discussing the benefits and challenges of sports participation. Skechers will host a free clinic for participants from the Chicago Sky Academy, while State Street will present a live discussion featuring WNBA rookies moderated by Lisa Leslie.
More WNBA-Themed Events Around Chicago
It’s not only official WNBA events that will take over Chicago during the All-Star Weekend. Other brands and personalities will also promote opportunities for fan engagement.
Together and Aflac will host the third annual Queens of the Court panel, a free public event, on Saturday, July 25, in Chicago during WNBA All-Star weekend. Moderated by multimedia journalist Ari Chambers, the discussion will feature South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, WNBA veteran Diana Taurasi and rookie guard Raven Johnson, with additional speakers to be announced. The conversation will focus on the evolution of women’s basketball, the factors driving the sport’s recent growth and its future. The event is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CT at 167 Green, with doors opening at 11 a.m.
Additionally, Togethxr is opening Togethxr House, a place where fans, athletes, and culture are meant to come together. The space will be open July 24-25 and the lineup includes two podcast tapings, fitness activities and a skills challenge. The space will be available for visits from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. CT on both days.
Unrivaled will host the free, one-day Unrivaled Coffee Club fan activation on Friday, July 24, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT at Drip Collective in Chicago during the WNBA All-Star weekend. The event will feature player appearances from Marina Mabrey, Napheesa Collier, Olivia Miles and Flau’jae Johnson, along with themed drinks, music, interactive activities and exclusive merchandise available for purchase. Fans also will have access to the first VIP packages for Unrivaled’s third season in Miami.
Megan Rapinoe’s podcast Why Are You Like This? will have its firs live taping July 24 at 5 p.m. CT, featuring Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve. The recording will take place also at 167 Green.
Comedian Sam Jay announced former WNBA players Sydney Johnson and Theresa Plaisance as special guests in their Starting Lineup All-Star comedy jam special. The ticketed event is slated for July 23, 8 p.m. CT at Thalia Hall.
Off the Court, a player-led business fair looking to elevate women’s sports brands, is creating networking opportunities to highlight businesses, passions, projects, and talents of professionals in the women’s sports world. The event is free and will take place July 23, 12 p.m. CT at 2015 S Laflin StChicago, IL.
Read the full article here