Chicago is officially on the clock for the 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game, which will tip off at the United Center on Saturday, July 25, as part of a full weekend of games, skills competitions and cultural programming across the city. Leading into the main event, the league is stacking the calendar with Media Day, WNBA Changemaker Day and Jr. WNBA programming at the newly opened Obama Presidential Center.
Nadia Rawlinson, co-owner and operating chairman of the Chicago Sky, called the announcement a milestone years in the making and pointed to fresh investment and broader distribution as key drivers of the sport’s surge. “The thing that's changed the most is the world finally caught up to what has already been true,” Rawlinson told ABC7 Chicago, adding that she hopes “a little girl...will walk up to that three point line and envision what she can be.”
Obama Center To Host Changemaker Day And Jr. WNBA
On Friday, July 24, the Obama Presidential Center will host WNBA Media Day, the third annual Changemaker Day and Jr. WNBA Day, turning the campus into an all-day hub for youth-focused programming. The lineup includes mentorship panels, on-court clinics and vision-board workshops for local kids and teens. The league will be the first professional sports organization to stage All-Star events at the Center, according to NBA Communications.
United Center Game And Citywide Fan Events
The All-Star Game itself is slated for Saturday, July 25 at the United Center, while the State Farm 3-Point Contest and Kia WNBA Shooting Stars are scheduled for Friday, July 24 at Wintrust Arena, with WNBA Live set to run at McCormick Place, according to venue schedules and event listings. The United Center lists the game for July 25 and provides directions and parking information for fans planning their trip.
The league says the national telecast will air on ABC at 8:30 p.m. ET and that the All-Star teams will play for a $100,000 prize pool that will benefit two Chicago organizations, per the WNBA.
Community Impact And Youth Outreach
Organizers say they want the weekend to leave something tangible behind, not just a box score. Panels, clinics and community projects are planned to link players with schools and nonprofits across the city. NBC Chicago reports that many of the on-campus sessions will be held at Home Court and that the Obama Presidential Center will also host invitation-only summits and Host Committee receptions in the days leading up to the game.
Tickets and festival passes are rolling out through the league and its ticketing partners, with WNBA Live and other fan experiences available via Ticketmaster as announced by the league. Expect heavy transit and parking demand around both the United Center and Jackson Park during the festivities, and check venue pages along with CTA advisories before heading out.
