Phoenix WNBA All-Star weekend fan guide
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Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi. Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Some of America's most talented athletes — and thousands of their fans — will arrive in Phoenix next week for the WNBA All-Star celebration.
Why it matters: Interest in women's basketball has reached an all-time high, fueled in part by phenoms Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese who made the All-Star team in their rookie seasons after dominant college careers.
- The Valley is trying to capitalize on the buzz to boost its slow summer tourism season.
State of play: Next Saturday's All-Star Game is already sold out, but fans can see their favorite players Friday at Footprint Center for the skills challenge and 3-point shooting contest.
- General admission tickets are available from $25.
How it works: The USA Women's National Team (which will represent the U.S. at the Paris Olympics the following week) will face off against another group of All-Stars, dubbed Team WNBA.
- Phoenix Mercury stars Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and Kahleah Copper will compete on the Women's National Team.
- This will be Taurasi's 11th All-Star appearance (the second most in league history behind Sue Bird's 13), Griner's 10th and Copper's fourth.
Flashback: Last year's All-Star game marked an emotional return for Griner, who missed the 2022 game while detained in Russia.
- Upon her release, she swore she wouldn't go overseas to play basketball again — except if she made the Olympic team.
- "I wouldn't be here without my country. And to go and potentially win another gold medal for us, it's just going to mean so much standing on that podium and watching the flag go up," Griner told NPR earlier this year.
What we're watching: All eyes are on fierce rivals Clark and Reese who will play together for the first time on Team WNBA. Both players have said they're looking forward to being on the same team for once.
- "We're going to be playing together for a while so this is not gonna be the [last] time. I know we'll be All-Stars again," Reese said in an interview with NBA Today earlier this week. "And hopefully, 2028 we'll be Olympians together."
- "I don't think I've ever been her teammate before, even with USA Basketball or anything like that," Clark said during a press conference earlier this month. "I know people are going to be really excited about it, but I hope it doesn't take away from everybody else."
Zoom in: The Phoenix Convention Center Friday and Saturday will host WNBA Live Presented by U.S. Bank, a fan festival celebrating the intersection of women's basketball, fashion, music and culture.
- Admission is free, but fans must register via the WNBA Events App. You can see the schedule of player meet-and-greets, panels and other events via the app.