The WNBA’s Biggest Party Is Happening Right Now — And Chicago Is Going Wild!
Quick Summary
The Women’s National Basketball Association is holding its All-Star Weekend in Chicago this Friday and Saturday. Tonight, the best shooters in the league face off in the 3-Point Contest and a brand-new team event called Shooting Stars. Tomorrow, the full All-Star Game tips off at the United Center. The league is celebrating something extra special this year: its 30th birthday!
What Happened?
The city of Chicago is buzzing. Players, fans, and legends of the game have all come together for the 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend. The Chicago Sky are the hosts, and events have been spread across the whole city.
The weekend started Thursday with a giant fan festival called WNBA Live at McCormick Place. Fans got to meet players, try basketball challenges, and celebrate the history of the league.
Today, Friday July 24, the action moves to Wintrust Arena — home of the Chicago Sky — for Skills Night. It starts at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. First up is a brand-new competition called Shooting Stars. Four teams each have three players: a retired WNBA legend, a current player, and a young high school star. They will race against the clock to make shots from different spots on the court. It is the first time the WNBA has held this event.
A few of the retired legends joining the fun are Elena Delle Donne, Lauren Jackson, and Deanna “Tweety” Nolan — three of the greatest players in WNBA history. After Shooting Stars comes the 3-Point Contest, where the six best long-range shooters in the league battle for the title.
Then on Saturday, the All-Star Game itself tips off at the United Center — the same giant arena where the NBA’s Chicago Bulls play. Stars like Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, A’ja Wilson, and Breanna Stewart will all be on the court. Clark and Bueckers, two of the most exciting players in the game right now, were placed on opposite teams after a coin flip.
Why Does It Matter?
The WNBA is 30 years old this season — that is three decades of incredible athletes, memorable moments, and growing fans. More people than ever are tuning in to watch women’s basketball. This All-Star Weekend is a chance for the whole world to see just how talented and exciting the players are.
For young fans especially, it is a reminder that hard work, teamwork, and practice can take you all the way to the biggest stage in sports.
Big Words
- All-Star Game — a special midseason game where the best players in a league are voted in by fans and coaches to compete against each other
- 3-Point Contest — a skills competition where players try to make as many three-point shots as possible within a set time limit
- Shooting Stars — a new team relay event where retired legends, current players, and high school stars race to make shots from different spots
- tip-off — the moment a basketball game officially begins, when the referee tosses the ball up and two players jump to tap it
- midseason — the middle part of a sports season, when leagues often take a short break to celebrate their best players
Fun Fact
The WNBA was founded in 1996 and played its very first game on June 21, 1997. The first-ever All-Star Game was held in 1999 — meaning this year’s game is the 22nd edition of this beloved event!
Think About It
The Shooting Stars event mixes retired legends, current stars, and high school players all on the same team. If you could pick any three people — from any era or any sport — to be on your dream team, who would you choose and why?
Sources
- WNBA.com — AT&T WNBA All-Star Returning to Chicago in 2026
- Forbes — WNBA All-Star Weekend 2026: Every Fan Event Happening In Chicago
- Yahoo Sports — WNBA All-Star Game 2026: Schedule, date, rosters
- CBS Sports — WNBA unveils new All-Star Weekend event as league celebrates 30th anniversary
- 2026wnbaallstar.com — Events & Tickets