Scroll through any hoops-heavy feed on X, and you’ll see it. Indianapolis is soaked in WNBA orange right now. The city just hosted the league’s biggest All-Star Weekend yet. Two days of record crowds (15,000 on Friday, 18,000 on Saturday), viral fan moments, player activism, and stat lines worth replaying. Indy brought the energy. Hear it from Cathy Engelbert herself, who showed up to the weekend more as a fan than league boss.
She tipped her hat to local leaders for pulling it all off. From airport decorations to downtown events that kept the city alive on and off the court. “Thrilled to be here in Indianapolis, a city that’s been buzzing with basketball energy these past few seasons,” Engelbert said. And as per the inputs from the EssentiallySports team that was covering the weekend from Indy, we can confirm she wasn’t making it up.
Even the Sparks guard Kelsey Plum said, “Every event that I saw that a player was doing was absolutely packed lines wrapped around, and it was just really cool to see the fan engagement.” She added, “And so I really appreciate Indy for showing out.” The party was lit, but the question is, should it stay here next year? We threw on our investigator hats to see what you all think. Let’s dive in…
Should Indiana host the WNBA All-Star again next year?
Brought to you by She Got Game’s exclusive poll, the people have spoken, and Indy, just like Clark, is still their favorite. A solid 52.4% said, ‘Yes, Indy nailed it.’ Another 34% want to ‘pass the torch,’ while 13.3% are sitting on the fence with a ‘maybe.’ Translation? The circle city has still got the edge, but the debate is far from over. Breaking down each category of WNBA fans for you…
Why the WNBA Fans Love Indy?
The first-hand reactions straight from Indy and under our comment section echoed the same vibe that Engelbert and Plum shared. One person commented, “Great host city.” And it’s hard to argue with that because every street around Gainbridge Fieldhouse was covered in WNBA energy. Massive graphics of Sabrina Ionescu and A’ja Wilson stretched across hotels.
Every street corner felt like a photo booth while reporting from the land. While a 30‑story Caitlin Clark shot towered over the J.W. Marriott with the slogan “From Downtown in My Town”, it gave the residents a moment to regroup after the Game 7 heartbreak in the NBA finals, the bold white “Welcome to Indianapolis” read in that same banner gave visitors an idea of what the City is up to. Also, over on Mass Ave, a new mural of Tamika Catchings gave fans another reason to stop and snap a photo.
Another fan wrote, “Indy is a great venue for this event! Hopefully CC will be able to play.” And even though Caitlin Clark couldn’t show up, Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) teamed with Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat to show out. They launched Fever Fest: line dancing, A‑list comedians like Cedric the Entertainer and Leslie Jones, live sets from The Kid LAROI, G‑Eazy, and Bia, and D‑Nice spinning at a late-night watch party. As PS&E exec Joey Graziano put it, “Fever fans travel more than 200 miles… they’re looking for their All-Star, their moment.”
Moreover, Indiana’s deep connection to sports made Indianapolis feel less like a host city and more like a natural home for the WNBA’s biggest weekend. This is a city fresh off hosting an NBA Final, already known for the Indianapolis 500, the NFL Combine, and the Big Ten’s basketball and football championships. It’s also set to welcome three NCAA Final Fours: men’s in 2026 and 2029, women’s in 2028. Add in Caitlin Clark to that mix, already the face of the WNBA for two straight years, and it’s no surprise that Indy feels like the league’s heartbeat right now.
The efforts were obvious, and clearly the fans aren’t done with that experience yet. They want the taste of it once more. As one fan put it, “Let’s try to keep the torch lit in Indianapolis burning & then pass it on after next year in Indianapolis!! ” That’s the common sentiment across, but there are a few with varied opinion…
Is it Time to Pass the Torch Already?
Maybe yes, because everyone deserves an equal shot at growth. As one fan put it, “Spread the wealth around. Give everybody a chance to shine, it can only be good for the league in the long run.” Truly, because Indianapolis proved how powerful All-Star can be for a city. Brands like AT&T, Google Pixel, Nike, State Farm, Ally, Foot Locker, Etsy, American Express, Just Women’s Sports/Famous Footwear, Eli Lilly, and Togethxr flooded the weekend with activations and events. The ad rates spiked 60%, and Ion pulled in 1.5 million viewers (its season high). If All-Star can ignite Indy like that, maybe it’s time for another market to catch fire.
a memorable day in Indy #WNBAAllStar2025 pic.twitter.com/0IGxBGVCts
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 20, 2025
Time for the WNBA to keep ears on the ground as another fan showed support for the same model as they wrote, “Indianapolis did a fantastic job! No question about it!!!! Just like any all-star games, Olympics etc. taking turns is the way to go.” Although, what could be some feasible venues for a rotating model? One fan expressed their wish to see the All-Star event happening in “DC or NYC next!!!” Is that feasible? Are there some other options too? Let’s discuss…
Indy Set the Bar, Who’s Up to Match It?
Not very long ago, Indiana was considered a small market for the biggies up in the hierarchy. Yes, talking about the pre-Tyrese Haliburton and Caitlin Clark era, because their arrival has turned it into a basketball hotspot. By that logic, is it Dallas’ turn to level up next, with Paige Bueckers stepping in as the W’s No. 1 pick this season? And Cooper Flagg only adding to that buzz…
Dallas’ American Airlines Center
More than just the hype, geographically this decision would be perfect. As the city sits on the Southern Plains, far from the coasts, yet close enough to feel central for fans nationwide. Add DFW International Airport (the world’s third-busiest) with direct flights to almost every major U.S. city (and plenty abroad), and suddenly Dallas feels built to host. It’s a logistical and cultural sweet spot for the WNBA.
Los Angeles, Crypto.com Arena
The Intuit Dome is all set to host the 2026 NBA All-Star Game. So why not let the city host the WNBA’s, too? This idea could create a crossover moment the sport’s never seen. Imagine it: in February, Sabrina Ionescu and Caitlin Clark step into a (much-awaited) special NBA-WNBA three-point contest that the NBA planned to have in 2025. By July, Steph Curry and Damian Lillard return the favor at Crypto.com Arena, home of the Sparks. Fans would get two marquee showcases, and L.A. will thrive under the brightest lights.
New York City, Madison Square Garden
If not a crossover, a full circle moment should definitely be on WNBA’s list to create. After all, in 2026, WNBA will have its 30th anniversary. And what better way to celebrate than by returning where the very first All-Star Game took place? Yes, the first WNBA All-Star was held at MSG in 1999. Back then, the West beat the East 79–61. Even though New York has already hosted three times (1999, ’03, and 06), having the league’s best players back at MSG for a milestone year feels fitting at this point.
Unlicensed image
Those are our top three contenders to host the next All-Star madness. Although according to a new report from the Las Vegas Review-Journal‘s Callie Fin, Las Vegas is yet again a potential contender after being the host in 2023, 2021, and 2019. Our readers say that “Las Vegas isn’t a good choice. Too many distractions. In a place like Indy or Seattle, the players are the stars.” Who’s your pick? Drop it in the comments. Choose wisely because it’s bigger than just a weekend…
Why It’s Bigger Than Just a Weekend for the WNBA?
It’s because events like these signal that the WNBA has entered a new league of expectations, and the next All-Star host city must match or top this momentum. The fans are currently driving a 413% spike in ESPN’s WNBA social engagement and fueling record-breaking merch sales (increasing by 361% year over year). That puts a huge responsibility on the league’s shoulders to host the drivers behind this growth as hospitably as possible.
And Indy has set that bar high, so wherever the W goes next, it won’t be easy to top the 2025 madness.
The post Our Fans Approve Blockbuster All-Star in Indy, But All Eyes Are on WNBA’s 2026 Move appeared first on EssentiallySports.