{"id":70257,"date":"2025-07-17T15:47:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T15:47:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/70257\/"},"modified":"2025-07-17T15:47:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T15:47:09","slug":"indianapolis-expecting-high-number-of-fans-economic-boom-from-wnba-all-star-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/70257\/","title":{"rendered":"Indianapolis expecting high number of fans, economic boom from WNBA All-Star weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"

The WNBA All-Star game is happening in Indianapolis this weekend and city leaders, restaurant owners and residents are \u201cprepping for what they hope will be a healthy infusion to the local summer economy,\u201d according to Alysa Guffey of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. On Friday and Saturday, \u201call eyes in the sports world will focus on Indianapolis,\u201d the city that has \u201carguably catapulted professional women\u2019s basketball into the national spotlight and brought a fervor to the sport not seen before in the league\u2019s nearly 30-year history.\u201d The city predicts 70,000 visitors next weekend. Pacers Sports and Entertainment CEO Mel Raines predicts that the weekend will be \u201cbigger than ever before,\u201d as Indianapolis \u201cflexes its well-oiled tourism muscles and fans rally around women\u2019s basketball players\u201d like Fever G Caitlin Clark and C Aliyah Boston. The WNBA All-Star Weekend will have fewer ticketed attractions and a shorter event window than its NBA counterpart, meaning \u201cmore people will be roaming the city in the span of two days.\u201d Downtown bars and restaurants are \u201cespecially happy about the bump in attendance and foot traffic.\u201d The WNBA \u201cattracts a high number of families attending games with young daughters\u201d (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 7\/15<\/a>). SI\u2019s Karl Rasmussen noted the JW Marriott hotel in Indianapolis \u201cerected an enormous 30-story Nike advertisement\u201d of Clark, with the caption, \u201cFrom downtown, in my town,\u201d in the brand\u2019s recognizable block font. The ad also read, \u201cWelcome to Indianapolis,\u201d on the bottom left (SI, 7\/16<\/a>).<\/p>\n

WILL THE STAR PLAY?<\/b> USA TODAY\u2019s Scooby Axson noted Clark did not play last night against the Liberty but is \u201cslated to start\u201d in Saturday\u2019s All-Star game. Fever coach Stephanie White said that they have not talked about Clark\u2019s status moving forward. White said that she is \u201cnot involved in the discussions about if Clark will participate in All-Star,\u201d adding that it will be up to \u201cCaitlin and her team\u201d (USA TODAY, 7\/16<\/a>). In Indianapolis, Gregg Doyel wrote injury has happened to Clark \u201cway too often this season, but at least the first three times it wasn\u2019t happening days before the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game.\u201d Because that would have been \u201cthe worst timing possible for Clark, for the WNBA, for us, for everyone.\u201d The 3-point contest is Friday and the All-Star Game is Saturday. Clark\u2019s status for both is \u201cunknown.\u201d Doyel added if she cannot play Friday night, \u201cthat would be a shame.\u201d Doyel: \u201cThe 3-point contest? That\u2019s some Made For Caitlin stuff right there.\u201d But if she cannot play Friday or Saturday, that \u201cwould be tragic.\u201d Doyel: \u201cThe world will still be watching our city, our Downtown, our arena, and two of our Fever stars. But without Caitlin \u2026 it wouldn\u2019t be the same.\u201d Doyel: \u201cHow many more would\u2019ve tuned in to see the Fever and Wings\u202fand\u202fCaitlin Clark? More\u201d (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 7\/16<\/a>).<\/p>\n

EVENTS GALORE<\/b>: In Indianapolis, Reinhard & Lindquist noted the WNBA All-Star Host Committee has released details of numerous events and promotions to bring attention to the game, with festivities beginning on Friday. For live music during the weekend, more than 40 acts featuring female musicians will perform downtown as part of WNBA All-Star festivities with free admission. <\/p>\n

Friday<\/b><\/p>\n