By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
After announcing the venues for the 2025 and 2026 editions of the annual All-Star Game, the NBA confirmed plans for Phoenix to host the exhibition game in 2027.
The Footprint Center will hold the 2027 All-Star Game and numerous attached events spread across the weekend schedule, as announced on Thursday.
The next All-Star Game will take place in San Francisco’s Chase Center in 2025. Staying in California, Inglewood’s Intuit Dome will feature the game between the best players of the league in 2026. From the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers, the torch will be passed to the Phoenix Suns in 2027.
Per the press release: “The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that Phoenix has been selected to host NBA All-Star 2027. The 76th NBA All-Star Game will take place at Footprint Center, home of the Phoenix Suns, on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2027. NBA All-Star 2027 will mark the city’s fourth NBA All-Star, having hosted the event in 1975, 1995 and 2009.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made the announcement today during a press conference at Footprint Center, where he was joined by Suns Chairman Mat Ishbia and Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, with a recorded message from Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego.
“Our NBA All-Star festivities in 2027 will showcase Phoenix’s love of everything basketball,” said Silver. “And we couldn’t be more excited to work with Mat Ishbia and the entire Suns organization for what promises to be an unforgettable celebration of our sport.”
“Phoenix is the ultimate basketball destination and we are excited for fans from around the world to experience our amazing city,” said Ishbia. “We will provide an NBA All-Star Weekend unlike any other, showcasing the passion of our fans, our city, and everything that we’re building here. Thank you to the NBA and the entire Phoenix community for rallying together to bring this marquee event to Phoenix and show the world what we are all about.”
“We are excited to welcome the NBA and basketball fans to the great state of Arizona for NBA All-Star 2027. Arizona is a premier destination for sports and entertainment, and we look forward to showing fans everything that our state has to offer,” said Governor Hobbs. “Mat Ishbia and the Phoenix Suns have elevated Phoenix as one of the greatest basketball cities in the world and we are so proud to host this iconic event together.”
“The City of Phoenix is thrilled to host NBA All-Star 2027. Our city is no stranger to hosting major sports and entertainment events and this is another opportunity to put Phoenix on the global stage,” said Mayor Gallego. “NBA All-Star will bring excitement and energy to the city along with significant economic impact. Thank you to the NBA and the Phoenix Suns for the opportunity to welcome fans from around the world to our incredible city for what will be a memorable All-Star weekend.”
NBA All-Star on-court events will tip off on Friday, Feb. 19 at Footprint Center with NBA Rising Stars, an annual showcase for top rookies and second-year NBA players. On Feb. 20, State Farm All-Star Saturday Night will feature the Kia Skills Challenge, the STARRY 3-Point Challenge and AT&T Slam Dunk. NBA All-Star 2027 will culminate with the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 21.
The NBA will also host several events for fans of all ages at venues throughout Phoenix, including NBA All-Star Practice presented by AT&T, the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and an NBA All-Star fan fest, featuring basketball programming and entertainment as well as up-close access to NBA players, legends and celebrities.
The league will also continue to celebrate its commitment to social responsibility with a full schedule of NBA Cares events during NBA All-Star 2027. Through partnerships with schools, local and national nonprofit organizations, the league will reach thousands of children and families in Phoenix and the surrounding areas and provide critical resources to community-based programs.
Phoenix will additionally serve as host to WNBA All-Star festivities in 2024.
NBA ALL-STAR HISTORY IN PHOENIX
Phoenix most recently hosted NBA All-Star in 2009, when the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant (27 points) and the Suns’ Shaquille O’Neal (17 points in 11 minutes) shared All-Star Game MVP honors after leading the Western Conference to a 146-119 victory over the Eastern Conference. In Rising Stars, Kevin Durant scored an event-record 46 points as a second-year NBA player with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
When NBA All-Star 1995 was held in Phoenix, the Sacramento Kings’ Mitch Richmond scored 23 points off the bench to earn the MVP award and help the Western Conference defeat the Eastern Conference 139-112 in the NBA All-Star Game. In addition, Miami Heat players won both the Slam Dunk competition (Harold Miner) and the 3-Point Contest (Glen Rice).
The 25th NBA All-Star Game took place in 1975 in Phoenix, where the New York Knicks’ Walt Frazier scored 30 points in an MVP-winning performance to lift the Eastern Conference past the Western Conference 108-102.”