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WNBA All-Star Game
WNBA All-Star Game
WNBA All-Star Game
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WNBA All-Star Game
FrequencyAnnual
Inaugurated1999
Most recent2025 (Indianapolis)
Previous event2024 (Phoenix)
Next event2026 (Chicago)
ParticipantsEastern Conference and Western Conference All-Stars
Organized byWomen's National Basketball Association
Logo for the inaugural WNBA All-Star Game, held in 1999

The Women's National Basketball Association All-Star Game, commonly referred to as the WNBA All-Star Game, is the annual all-star game hosted each July by the Women's National Basketball Association, showcasing the league's top players. It is the feature event of the WNBA All-Star Weekend, a three-day event which goes from Friday to Sunday in a selected WNBA city. The WNBA All-Star Game was first played at Madison Square Garden on July 14, 1999.

Structure

[edit]

From 1999 to 2017, the WNBA All-Star Game featured star players from the Western Conference competing against star players from the Eastern Conference. Starters were selected by fan voting through internet ballots, while the remaining players were chosen by league personnel, including head coaches and media members. At the end of the game, the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (MVP) was named by a panel of media representatives.

In 2018, the WNBA introduced a new format for the All-Star Game, eliminating the traditional Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference structure in favor of a player draft.[1] In this new format, two captains – determined by the highest number of fan votes – draft their teams from a pool of players voted as All-Stars, regardless of conference affiliation. Voting for All-Star starters includes inputs from fans, WNBA players, and sports media members, with a weighted system (fans 50%, players and media 25% each). Reserves are selected by the league's head coaches.[2]

The All-Star Weekend also features a Three-Point Contest and a Skills Challenge. The Three-Point Contest consists of multiple round in which players compete to make the most three-point shots from various spots around the arc within a set time limit.[3][4] The Skills Challenge is a obstacle course designed to test players' abilities in key aspects of the game, such as dribbling, passing, and shooting. The player who completes the course in the fastest time in the final round is declared the winner.[5][6] Both competitions usually feature five players, selected based on their performance during the regular season.[7]

History

[edit]

The inaugural WNBA All Star Game was played in 1999 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, in front of a sold-out crowd. Whitney Houston performed the national anthem. The West Conference defeated the Eastern Conference 79–61 and Lisa Leslie was named the first-ever All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (MVP) after recording 13 points and five rebounds for the West.[8][9]

In 2004, The Game at Radio City was held in place of a traditional All-Star Game due to the WNBA players competing in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. That year, the USA national team defeated a team of WNBA All-Stars 74–58.[10][11] The game is officially considered to be an exhibition rather than an All-Star Game. The league also took a month-long break to accommodate players and coaches competing in the Olympic Games.

From 2008 through 2016, no All-Star Game was held during Summer Olympic years, continuing the tradition of taking a month-long mid-season break. In 2010, an exhibition game, Stars at the Sun, was played at Mohegan Sun Arena, where Team USA defeated a WNBA All-Star team 99–72.[12]

Although the 2020 Summer Olympics were postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no All-Star Game was played in that season. The 2021 season featured the first All-Star Game in an Olympic year since 2000, with a WNBA All-Star team facing the USA national team. The 2024 game followed the same format and was also considered an official All-Star Game.

All-Star Game results

[edit]
Eastern Conference (4 wins) Western Conference (10 wins)
Year Result Host arena Host city Game MVP
1999 West 79, East 61[13][14] Madison Square Garden New York, New York Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles Sparks
2000 West 73, East 61[15][16] America West Arena Phoenix, Arizona Tina Thompson, Houston Comets
2001 West 80, East 72[17] TD Waterhouse Centre Orlando, Florida Lisa Leslie (2), Los Angeles Sparks (2)
2002 West 81, East 76[18] MCI Center Washington, D.C. Lisa Leslie (3), Los Angeles Sparks (3)
2003 West 84, East 75[19] Madison Square Garden (2) New York, New York (2) Nikki Teasley, Los Angeles Sparks (4)
2004 The Game at Radio City
2005 West 122, East 99[20] Mohegan Sun Arena Uncasville, Connecticut Sheryl Swoopes, Houston Comets (2)
2006 East 98, West 82[21] Madison Square Garden (3) New York, New York (3) Katie Douglas, Connecticut Sun
2007 East 103, West 99[22] Verizon Center Washington, D.C. (2) Cheryl Ford, Detroit Shock
2008 No game due to the 2008 Summer Olympics
2009 West 130, East 118[23] Mohegan Sun Arena (2) Uncasville, Connecticut (2) Swin Cash, Seattle Storm
2010 Stars at the Sun
2011 East 118, West 113[24] AT&T Center San Antonio, Texas Swin Cash (2), Seattle Storm (2)
2012 No game due to the 2012 Summer Olympics
2013 West 102, East 98 Mohegan Sun Arena (3) Uncasville, Connecticut (3) Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks (5)
2014 East 125, West 124 (OT) US Airways Center (2) Phoenix, Arizona (2) Shoni Schimmel, Atlanta Dream
2015 West 117, East 112 Mohegan Sun Arena (4) Uncasville, Connecticut (4) Maya Moore, Minnesota Lynx
2016 No game due to the 2016 Summer Olympics
2017 West 130, East 121 KeyArena Seattle, Washington Maya Moore (2), Minnesota Lynx (2)
2018 Team Parker 119, Team Delle Donne 112 Target Center Minneapolis, Minnesota Maya Moore (3), Minnesota Lynx (3)
2019 Team Wilson 129, Team Delle Donne 126 Mandalay Bay Events Center Las Vegas, Nevada Erica Wheeler, Indiana Fever
2020 No game due to the 2020 Summer Olympics, which was later postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Team WNBA 93, Team USA 85 Michelob Ultra Arena (2) Las Vegas, Nevada (2) Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings (2)
2022 Team Wilson 134, Team Stewart 112 Wintrust Arena Chicago, Illinois Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces
2023 Team Stewart 143, Team Wilson 127 Michelob Ultra Arena (3) Las Vegas, Nevada (3) Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm (3)
2024 Team WNBA 117, Team USA 109 Footprint Center (3) Phoenix, Arizona (3) Arike Ogunbowale (2), Dallas Wings (3)
2025 Team Collier 151, Team Clark 131 Gainbridge Fieldhouse Indianapolis, Indiana Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx (4)
2026 Wintrust Arena Chicago, Illinois (2)

Three-Point Contest

[edit]

The Three-Point Contest, formerly referred to as the Three-Point Shootout, was held during the All-Star Game event from 2006 to 2010, and then again from 2017 to the present.

^ Denotes players who are still active
* Elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame
Player (#) Denotes the number of times the player has won
Team (#) Denotes the number of times a player from this team has won
Location (#) Denotes the number of times a location has hosted the competition
Year Winner Team Final score / max % shots made Other contestants
2006 Dawn Staley* Houston Comets 17 / 30 56.6% Katie Douglas, Katie Smith, Diana Taurasi
2007 Laurie Koehn Washington Mystics 25 / 30 83.3% Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor, Katie Douglas, Deanna Nolan
2009 Becky Hammon* San Antonio Silver Stars 16 / 30 53.3% Sue Bird, Katie Smith, Shameka Christon, Katie Douglas, Diana Taurasi
2010 Katie Douglas Indiana Fever 23 / 30 76.6% Lindsay Whalen, Swin Cash, Sue Bird, Monique Currie, Angel McCoughtry
2017 Allie Quigley Chicago Sky 27 / 34 79.4% Sugar Rodgers, Maya Moore, Jasmine Thomas, Sue Bird
2018 Allie Quigley (2) Chicago Sky (2) 29 / 34 85.3% Kayla McBride, Kristi Toliver, Jewell Loyd, Renee Montgomery, Kelsey Mitchell
2019 Shekinna Stricklen Connecticut Sun 23 / 34 67.6% Kayla McBride, Allie Quigley, Kia Nurse, Erica Wheeler, Chelsea Gray
2021 Allie Quigley^ (3) Chicago Sky (3) 28 / 40 70.0% Jonquel Jones, Sami Whitcomb, Jewell Loyd
2022 Allie Quigley^ (4) Chicago Sky (4) 30 / 40 75.0% Ariel Atkins, Rhyne Howard, Arike Ogunbowale, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum
2023 Sabrina Ionescu^ New York Liberty 37 / 401 92.5% DiJonai Carrington, Kelsey Mitchell, Arike Ogunbowale, Sami Whitcomb, Jackie Young
2024 Allisha Gray Atlanta Dream 22 / 401 55.0% Jonquel Jones, Kayla McBride, Stefanie Dolson, Marina Mabrey
2025 Sabrina Ionescu (2) New York Liberty 30 / 401 75.0% Allisha Gray, Sonia Citron, Kelsey Plum, Lexie Hull
1 All-time record score for a WNBA or NBA Three-Point Contest, surpassing the NBA record of 31 points set by Stephen Curry in Atlanta (2021), which Tyrese Haliburton equaled in Salt Lake City (2023). However, Ionescu used a smaller WNBA regulation ball to set the record. Ionescu also competed with Curry in a head-to-head shootout at the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, with both players shooting from the NBA 3-point line but using WNBA and NBA balls, respectively.[25]

Three Point Contest champions by franchise

No. Franchise Last win
4 Chicago Sky 2022
2 New York Liberty 2025
1 Atlanta Dream 2024
1 Connecticut Sun 2019
1 Indiana Fever 2010
1 San Antonio Silver Stars 2009
1 Washington Mystics 2007
1 Houston Comets 2006

Skills Challenge

[edit]

The WNBA introduced the Dribble, Dish & Swish Challenge starting during the 2003 WNBA All-Star Game.[26] It became renamed to the Skills Challenge was held during the All-Star Game event during 2006–2007, 2010, 2019, and 2022-2024. The most recent Skills Challenge rules were "a classic obstacle course format that will challenge players' abilities in each key facet of the game: dribbling, passing and shooting. In the first round, each player will maneuver around the course as fast as possible, and the players with the two fastest times will advance to the final round. There, they'll repeat the course, and the player with the fastest time in the final round will receive the trophy."[27]

^ Denotes players who are still active
* Elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame
Player (#) Denotes the number of times the player has won
Team (#) Denotes the number of times a player from this team has won
Location (#) Denotes the number of times a location has hosted the competition
Year Winner Team Final Time/Competitor Other contestants
2003 Dawn Staley* Charlotte Sting [26]
2005 Sue Bird* Seattle Storm Becky Hammon Tamika Catchings, Diana Taurasi, Deanna Nolan, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, DeMya Walker, Marie Ferdinand
2006 Seimone Augustus* Minnesota Lynx 28.5 Sue Bird, Cappie Pondexter, Deanna Nolan
2007 Becky Hammon* San Antonio Silver Stars 27.1 Seimone Augustus, Betty Lennox, Nikki Teasley
2009 Cappie Pondexter Phoenix Mercury 34.8 Jia Perkins, Tamika Catchings, Sancho Lyttle, Swin Cash, Nicole Powell, Nicky Anosike, Alana Beard, Asjha Jones, Sylvia Fowles
Sophia Young San Antonio Silver Stars (2)
Charde Houston Minnesota Lynx (2)
2010 Renee Montgomery Connecticut Sun 25.0 Cappie Pondexter, Lindsay Whalen, Iziane Castro Marques, Lindsey Harding, Angel McCoughtry
2019 Diamond DeShields ^ Chicago Sky Jonquel Jones Courtney Vandersloot, Sami Whitcomb, Napheesa Collier, Odyssey Sims, Elizabeth Williams, Brittney Griner
2022 Sabrina Ionescu^ New York Liberty NaLyssa Smith Courtney Vandersloot, Jonquel Jones, Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum, Azura Stevens, Rhyne Howard
2023 Kelsey Plum^ Las Vegas Aces Courtney Vandersloot
Sabrina Ionescu 		Allisha Gray, Cheyenne Parker, Arike Ogunbowale, Satou Sabally
Chelsea Gray^
2024 Allisha Gray^ Atlanta Dream Sophie Cunningham Brittney Griner, Kelsey Mitchell, Marina Mabrey
2025 Natasha Cloud^ New York Liberty (2) Erica Wheeler Allisha Gray, Skylar Diggins, Courtney Williams

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

WNBA All-Star Game

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from Grokipedia
The WNBA All-Star Game is an annual exhibition basketball game in the (WNBA) that showcases the league's top performers in a celebratory, high-scoring matchup typically held in mid-July. First played on July 14, 1999, at in , where the Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference 79–61 before a crowd of 18,649, the event has evolved into a key midsummer spectacle that draws significant fan engagement and highlights the sport's growing prominence. The game's format has undergone notable changes since its inception, beginning with a traditional East versus West conference matchup and shifting in 2018 to a captain-drafted team structure, where the top two vote-getters select their rosters to foster competitive balance and star power. Player selection involves a system: the 10 starters are chosen with 50% from fan ballots, 25% from current WNBA players, and 25% from media members, while the 12 reserves are picked by the league's head coaches, excluding votes for their own players; the top two overall vote recipients serve as captains for the draft. No All-Star Game was held in Olympic years 2008, 2012, and 2016 to prioritize international competition, and the 2021 edition featured a unique Team WNBA versus format ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. Through 21 editions as of 2025, the has produced iconic moments, including the league's only contest in 2014 (East 125, West 124) and record-setting performances like Napheesa Collier's 36 points in 2025, earning her MVP honors in a 151–131 victory for Team Collier over Team Clark at in —the highest-scoring game in league history. and share the record for most MVP awards with three each, while holds marks for most selections (13), games played (12), and starts (9); the Western Conference leads the all-time East-West series 10–4. Hosted in various cities, including four times at in , the event often coincides with skills challenges, three-point contests, and community initiatives, underscoring the WNBA's commitment to player excellence and fan accessibility.

Format and Organization

Selection Process

The selection process for the WNBA All-Star Game involves a combination of fan, player, and media input to determine the 10 starters (top 4 guards and 6 frontcourt players league-wide), followed by selections for the 12 reserves, with the top two overall vote-getters serving as team captains. Fans account for 50% of the starter selection vote, while current WNBA players and a media panel each contribute 25%, with ballots submitted via the WNBA app and . Voters select up to 10 players per ballot—typically six frontcourt and four guards—with the top four guards and top six frontcourt players league-wide advancing as starters based on the combined tallies. In cases of ties within a position group, fan votes serve as the tiebreaker. The 12 reserve spots are filled by votes from the league's 13 head coaches, who submit ballots for three guards, five frontcourt players, and four players of any position regardless of conference, excluding players from their own teams; the top vote-getters in each category advance to form the reserves. Coaches cannot select starters or their own players, ensuring a balanced and merit-based pool. If a selected player is unable to participate due to injury or other reasons, the WNBA selects a replacement from eligible candidates, prioritizing performance and availability. The voting process has evolved significantly since the inaugural All-Star Game in 1999, when starters were primarily chosen through fan balloting via phone and mail-in options, with reserves selected by league personnel including coaches and media. Online voting was introduced in the early to broaden accessibility, and by 2014, the WNBA app enabled daily digital ballots, increasing fan engagement. A major change occurred in 2017, when the league adopted the current weighted system—50% fans, 25% players, 25% media—to mirror the NBA's approach and give players a direct voice in selections, replacing the prior fan-dominant model. For the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, fan voting opened on June 12 and closed on June 28, with two-for-one voting days on June 13-14, June 19-20, and June 27-28 to boost participation. guard and forward emerged as the top overall vote-getters, earning captaincy and leading the draft of their teams from the starter and reserve pools.

Game Format

The WNBA All-Star Game prior to 2018 followed a conference-based format, pitting a team of 12 players from the Eastern Conference against a team of 12 from the Western Conference. Each team consisted of five starters selected through fan, player, media, and coach voting, along with seven reserves chosen by head coaches from the opposing conference. This structure mirrored the NBA's traditional All-Star setup and emphasized regional rivalries. Beginning in 2018, the league adopted a captain-draft format to enhance entertainment and flexibility, eliminating conference restrictions. The top two vote-getters overall serve as captains, who then draft teams from a pool of 22 All-Stars (10 starters and 12 reserves). Each resulting team comprises 11 players, allowing captains to select based on chemistry and strategy rather than geography. Notable examples include the inaugural draft game of Team Parker versus Team Delle Donne in 2018, where captains and built squads emphasizing complementary skills. Special variations have occurred, such as the 2021 matchup of USA Basketball's national team against Team WNBA, which featured 12 players per side to accommodate Olympic preparations. The 2025 game retained this draft approach, with captains and selecting Team Clark and Team Collier, respectively. The game itself consists of four 10-minute quarters, matching the WNBA regular-season structure but with an emphasis on high-scoring, fan-friendly play. Unlike regular-season contests, rules promote through relaxed defensive efforts, elimination of jump balls in favor of alternating possessions, and occasional experimental elements like the 2025 introduction of four-point shooting zones and a 20-second . Overtime periods, if needed, are five minutes each until a winner is determined, as demonstrated by the sole overtime game in 2014. The features a performance integrated into the broadcast, typically lasting 15-20 minutes, which contributes to the event's festive atmosphere without extending overall beyond approximately two hours. Coaches are encouraged to ensure broad participation, with all selected players typically logging significant minutes—often aiming for at least 10-15 minutes per player to showcase the full roster—though no formal minimum is enforced. Compared to the , the WNBA version features shorter quarters (10 minutes versus 12) for a more concise broadcast, fewer total players (22 versus 24), and a consistent focus on draft-based in recent years, while avoiding the NBA's occasional target-score formats. These differences align with the WNBA's faster-paced, skill-oriented style, prioritizing player rest and enjoyment midway through the 40-game season.

All-Star Weekend Schedule

The WNBA All-Star Weekend typically spans three days, from Friday to Sunday, in a host city, featuring a mix of competitive events, fan interactions, and community initiatives to celebrate the league and engage audiences beyond the main game. Friday often includes media day, team practices, and introductory fan zones, allowing players to connect with supporters through autograph sessions and interactive exhibits. Saturday highlights the core competitions, such as skills challenges and shooting contests, culminating in the itself, while Sunday may incorporate recovery activities, youth clinics, or wrap-up community events to extend the celebratory atmosphere. Host cities for the All-Star Weekend are selected on a rotational basis among WNBA markets, ensuring broad representation across the league's franchises and showcasing local venues and culture. For instance, the 2025 event marked the first time hosted, taking place at from July 18 to 19. This rotation helps promote the league's presence in various communities, with future hosts like in 2026 at the continuing the pattern. Key ancillary activities enhance fan engagement during the weekend, including the Orange Carpet arrivals where players showcase fashion and personalities in a red-carpet-style event, often streamed live. The WNBA Live fan festival, presented by partners like Panini, serves as a central hub with player appearances, interactive games, merchandise, and entertainment over multiple days at a . Additional offerings frequently encompass youth clinics for aspiring players and occasional celebrity-involved exhibitions, fostering inclusivity and excitement for diverse audiences. In 2025, the schedule emphasized high-energy fan access without a , starting Friday, July 18, with fan events, practices, and the WNBA STARRY 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge airing at 8 p.m. ET on from . Saturday, July 19, featured the main at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC, bookended by pre-game festivities, while WNBA Live ran concurrently on both days at the for immersive experiences. The All-Star Weekend has evolved from a single-day in its 1999 inception at to a comprehensive multi-day format by the early , expanding significantly after 2004 when Olympic commitments prompted alternative programming that influenced broader event structuring. This growth has transformed it into a festival-like celebration, integrating competitions like the skills and three-point contests as Saturday highlights to build anticipation for the game.

History

Inception and Early Years

The WNBA All-Star Game was established in 1999 as a platform to highlight the league's emerging talent and promote its growth following the inaugural seasons in 1997 and 1998. The first game took place on July 14, 1999, at in , where the Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference 79-61 before a sellout crowd of 18,649 fans. of the earned the inaugural award with 13 points and five rebounds, underscoring the event's role in celebrating star players during the league's early expansion from eight to twelve teams by 2000. From 1999 to 2007, the maintained a consistent East versus West conference format, featuring 12 players per team selected through a combination of fan, player, and coach voting, with starters determined by fan balloting. The event rotated among host cities tied to WNBA franchises, such as Phoenix in 2000 at America West Arena and Orlando in 2001 at TD Waterhouse Centre, allowing the league to engage local fan bases and boost visibility in growing markets. These early games emphasized competitive balance, with the West securing victories in the first six contests, including a 73-61 win in 2000 led by MVP Tina Thompson's 18 points. Lisa Leslie dominated the early MVP honors, winning the award in 1999, 2001 (20 points, nine rebounds), and 2002, while attendance remained strong, often exceeding 15,000 spectators, as seen in the 16,906 fans at the 2001 game in Orlando. A notable highlight came in 2005, when Sheryl Swoopes of the Houston Comets claimed her first All-Star MVP with 21 points in a 124-105 Western Conference victory, marking a triumphant return from injury and reinforcing the event's showcase of individual excellence. Despite these successes, the faced challenges with television viewership, averaging under one million household viewers in most years from 1999 to 2007, with only the 2003 and 2005 broadcasts on ABC surpassing that threshold. The 2004 edition was canceled due to the , highlighting scheduling hurdles, yet the event played a crucial role in promoting the league amid its expansion and contractions, helping to sustain interest as the WNBA navigated financial and visibility constraints in its formative decade.

Format Evolution

The WNBA All-Star Game maintained a traditional East versus West conference format from its inception in 1999 through , pitting the top players from each conference against one another in an exhibition matchup. This structure was skipped entirely during Olympic years—specifically 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016—to provide players with a midseason break for national team preparations ahead of the , , , and Rio Games, respectively. In non-Olympic years during this period, the conference-based games emphasized regional rivalries and allowed for balanced rosters drawn from league voting. In 2018, the WNBA introduced a transformative captain-draft format to heighten competitiveness and entertainment value, mirroring a similar shift in the NBA the prior year. Under this system, the two players receiving the most fan votes serve as captains and draft their teams from the pool of selected All-Stars, eliminating conference boundaries to create more dynamic and unpredictable lineups. The inaugural iteration featured captains of the and of the , resulting in Team Parker—skewed toward Western Conference talent—facing Team Delle Donne in a closely contested 119-112 victory for the former. The 2020 All-Star Game was cancelled amid the , as the league postponed training camps and the regular season start to prioritize player health and safety. The following year, 2021, adopted a hybrid exhibition format in preparation for the Tokyo Olympics, with the U.S. Women's National Team competing against a squad of remaining WNBA All-Stars (Team WNBA), which the latter won 93-85. From 2022 onward, the captain-draft model became the standard non-Olympic format, promoting strategic team-building and intra-conference matchups to sustain engagement. For instance, the 2022 game saw captains of the and of the Las Vegas Aces (with as co-captain for Team Wilson) draft rosters that led to Team Stewart's 136-112 win. This approach continued through 2025, exemplified by captains of the and of the assembling Team Clark and Team Collier, respectively, in a high-scoring affair that underscored the format's emphasis on star power over geography. These evolutions were driven by the league's aim to enhance game intensity and audience appeal amid growing popularity. The captain-draft shift, in particular, sought to foster genuine rivalries and reduce predictable outcomes associated with alignments, contributing to marked viewership gains—such as the 2025 's average of 2.19 million viewers on ABC, a substantial increase from 606,000 for the 2017 East-West matchup. The selection process adapted accordingly, with captains gaining influence over rosters to align with their playing styles.

Milestones and Cultural Impact

The WNBA All-Star Game has marked several attendance milestones reflecting the league's rising popularity, particularly in recent years. The 2025 event in drew 16,988 fans to , contributing to a weekend total that underscored strong local support amid sold-out sessions for associated events. Earlier, the 2024 All-Star Game in Phoenix set a benchmark for fan engagement in a larger venue, while the league's overall attendance surged to a record over 3 million for the 2025 regular season, aided by the expansion to 13 teams with the addition of the Golden State , with All-Star weekends playing a key role in driving community interest. Viewership for the All-Star Game has shown significant growth since the early 2000s, evolving from approximately 741,000 viewers in 2000 on to peaks exceeding 3 million in recent iterations. The 2023 game averaged 850,000 viewers in its primetime ABC debut, but the 2024 edition shattered records with 3.44 million, the highest ever, before dipping to 2.19 million in 2025—still the second-most watched. This expansion aligns with broader broadcasting enhancements, including more primetime slots on ABC alongside , which has elevated the game's visibility and contributed to the league's overall audience averaging 1.3 million per regular-season game in 2025. The has served as a platform for social impact, amplifying players' advocacy on key issues. In 2020, amid the that led to the event's cancellation, the WNBA dedicated its season to , with players initiating a league-wide pause following the police to protest racial injustice. This action built on the league's long history of , influencing broader sports conversations. More recently, during the 2025 warmups in , players collectively wore "Pay Us What You Owe Us" shirts to highlight ongoing agreement negotiations, pushing for improved salaries and benefits in a unified display of empowerment. International representation has grown through the All-Star platform, showcasing global talent and diversity. While no international player has yet claimed the MVP— an honor held by Americans like three-time winners and — stars such as Belgium's have highlighted the event's role in elevating overseas athletes, with Meesseman earning recognition as the first international MVP in 2019 after her standout performance. The game's inclusion of international players has fostered cross-cultural exchange, aligning with the league's emphasis on diversity and player empowerment. Culturally, the has integrated entertainment to broaden its appeal, with shows featuring prominent artists to celebrate women's achievements. The 2025 performance by Grammy-nominated rapper energized the crowd and symbolized the league's ties to hip-hop and social movements, reinforcing themes of Black excellence and . These moments, combined with the event's focus on player voices, have positioned the as a catalyst for cultural conversations around gender equity, racial , and athletic empowerment in .

Results and Records

List of Games

The WNBA All-Star Game has been contested 21 times from 1999 through 2025, excluding Olympic preparation years (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016), a pre-FIBA World Championship exhibition year (2010), and the 2020 cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosting duties have rotated among WNBA markets, with frequent stops in cities such as Phoenix (three times), New York (three times), Las Vegas (three times), and Uncasville, Connecticut (four times); the 2025 edition marked Indianapolis's first time hosting at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Game scores have shown an upward trend in recent years, with both teams averaging more than 100 points per contest since the 2018 format change to captain-selected squads, highlighting the event's shift toward fast-paced, fan-friendly basketball.
YearDateLocationResultAttendance
1999July 14, New York, NYWest 79, East 6118,649
2000July 17America West Arena, Phoenix, AZWest 73, East 61-
2001July 16 Centre, Orlando, FLWest 80, East 72-
2002July 15MCI Center, Washington, D.C.West 81, East 76-
2003July 12, New York, NYWest 84, East 75-
2005July 9, Uncasville, CTWest 122, East 99-
2006July 12, New York, NYEast 98, West 82-
2007July 15Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.East 103, West 99-
2009July 25, Uncasville, CTWest 130, East 118-
2011July 23AT&T Center, , TXEast 118, West 113-
2013July 27, Uncasville, CTWest 102, East 98-
2014July 19US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZEast 125, West 124 (OT)-
2015July 25, Uncasville, CTWest 117, East 112-
2017July 22KeyArena, , WAWest 130, East 12115,221
2018July 28, , MNTeam Parker 119, Team Delle Donne 112-
2019July 27 Events Center, , NVTeam Wilson 129, Team Delle Donne 126-
2021July 14, , NVTeam WNBA 93, Team USA 855,175
2022July 10, , ILTeam Wilson 134, Team Stewart 1129,572
2023July 15, , NVTeam Stewart 143, Team Wilson 1279,472
2024July 20Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZTeam WNBA 117, Team USA 10916,407
2025July 19, , INTeam Collier 151, Team Clark 13116,988

Most Valuable Players

The WNBA All-Star Game (MVP) award has been presented annually since the inaugural game in 1999 to recognize the outstanding performer, determined by their overall impact on the game, including contributions to their team's victory through key statistics such as points, rebounds, assists, and defensive plays. The selection is made by a panel of media members immediately following , who evaluate players based on their in the exhibition setting. Lisa Leslie of the Los Angeles Sparks and Maya Moore of the Minnesota Lynx share the record for most MVP awards with three each; Leslie won in 1999, 2001, and 2002, while Moore earned the honor in 2015, 2017, and 2018. Other multiple winners include Swin Cash (2009, 2011) and Arike Ogunbowale (2021, 2024), highlighting the award's tendency to recognize players who deliver clutch performances in high-profile moments. The award has predominantly gone to American players, with no international recipients to date, underscoring the league's U.S.-centric talent pool in All-Star selections. Forwards and centers have claimed a majority of the awards (approximately 55%), reflecting their versatile scoring and rebounding roles in the game's fast-paced format. The most recent MVP, Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx, set an All-Star Game scoring record with 36 points and added nine rebounds in 2025, leading Team Collier to a 151-131 victory over Team Clark and becoming the second Lynx player to win the award after Moore. Collier's performance exemplified the criteria, combining efficient shooting (13-of-16 field goals) with leadership as team captain to secure the win.
YearWinnerTeamKey Stats
1999West13 pts, 5 reb
2000West16 pts, 9 reb
2001West18 pts, 9 reb
2002West17 pts, 10 reb
2003Nikki TeasleyEast12 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast
2005West19 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast
2006Katie DouglasEast16 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast
2007East13 pts, 11 reb
2009West12 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast
2011West13 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast
2013West18 pts, 9 reb, 4 ast
2014East29 pts, 2 reb, 4 ast
2015West30 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast
2017West17 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast
2018Team Parker18 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast
2019Erica WheelerTeam Wilson10 pts, 3 reb, 5 ast
2021Team WNBA22 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast
2022Team Wilson20 pts, 3 reb, 5 ast
2023Team Stewart25 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast
2024Team WNBA34 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast
2025Team Collier36 pts, 9 reb

Statistical Leaders

The statistical leaders in the WNBA All-Star Game highlight standout performances across key categories, reflecting the event's evolution from low-scoring exhibitions in the early to higher-output games post-2018 format changes that emphasized entertainment and pace. These records encompass both single-game highs and career accumulations, often influenced by the number of appearances and era-specific styles, with modern games averaging over 120 points per team compared to under 100 in the inaugural years. In scoring, set the single-game record with 36 points during the 2025 All-Star Game, leading Team Collier to a 151-131 victory over Team Clark and earning MVP honors in the process; this surpassed Arike Ogunbowale's previous mark of 34 points from 2024, which itself eclipsed Shoni Schimmel's 29 in 2014. For career points, holds the all-time lead with 127 points over 10 appearances, a total she reached by consistently contributing double-digit scoring in an era of more defensive-minded play. Rebounding leaders underscore the impact of interior dominance in All-Star settings. owns the single-game record with 13 rebounds in the 2013 game, showcasing her defensive prowess amid a transitional period for the league's frontcourt stars. Career-wise, leads with 58 rebounds across 9 games, her totals bolstered by multiple double-doubles that helped define the East-West format's physicality in the . Assists records highlight playmaking excellence, with Courtney Vandersloot's 10 in the 2021 exhibition—featuring Team WNBA against Team USA—standing as the single-game high, emphasizing the event's shift toward faster transitions. dominates the career category with 56 assists over 13 games, her vision and leadership making her the most frequent All-Star selector in history. Other notable categories include three-point shooting, where leads career makes with 18 over her appearances, exemplifying the growing emphasis on perimeter play since the mid-2010s. In blocks, Brittney Griner's single-game record of 5 in captures the rim-protecting intensity that has defined elite centers in All-Star matchups. These leaders often overlap with MVP winners, illustrating how dominant individual stats contribute to game-defining moments.
CategorySingle-Game Leader (Points/Rebounds/Assists)YearCareer Leader (Total)Games
Scoring (36 pts)2025 (127 pts)10
Rebounds (13 reb)2013 (58 reb)9
Assists (10 ast)2021 (56 ast)13
Era differences are evident: pre-2018 games featured tighter defenses and lower totals (e.g., under 200 combined points), while post-2018 formats have inflated stats, as seen in 2025's record team score of 151.

Associated Competitions

Three-Point Contest

The WNBA is a shooting competition held during All-Star Weekend, showcasing players' long-range accuracy under timed pressure. It features a mix of and other league participants competing to score the most points from beyond the arc, typically on the Saturday preceding the . The contest debuted in 2006 as part of efforts to enhance All-Star Weekend entertainment, drawing inspiration from the NBA's similar event. It was not held in 2008 or from 2011 to 2016 due to scheduling and format changes, and was absent in 2020 amid the . The event returned in 2017 with a refreshed structure sponsored by MTN DEW (later STARRY), and has been an annual highlight since, except for the 2020 cancellation. In its current format, the contest involves five to eight participants shooting from five racks positioned around the three-point arc. Each rack contains four standard WNBA game balls worth one point and one "money ball" worth two points, for a potential 30 points across the racks; contestants select one rack to be all money balls for added strategy. Two additional "STARRY Range" pedestals offer three-point shots worth three points each, bringing the maximum possible score to 40 points over a 70-second round. The top two scorers from the first round advance to a final round, with the highest total declared the winner. Stepping on or over the three-point line invalidates a shot, and the clock starts upon the first made basket. Rules have evolved to increase excitement and scoring potential. The money ball element was introduced early, but the STARRY balls (three-point value) and all-money rack option were added in recent years to reward precision from deeper ranges. The winner receives approximately $62,575 in prize money, including sponsor contributions from and STARRY, a significant increase from the league's base $2,575 award. Notable performances include 's record four victories (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022), establishing her as the event's most successful competitor. set the all-time high score of 37 points in the 2023 final, surpassing previous WNBA and NBA contest records.
YearWinnerTeamScore (Final Round)
2006N/A
2007Laurie KoehnWashington MysticsN/A
2009San Antonio Silver StarsN/A
2010Katie DouglasN/A
2017N/A
201829
2019Shekinna StricklenConnecticut SunN/A
2021N/A
2022N/A
202337
202422
202530

Skills Challenge

The Skills Challenge is a highlight of WNBA All-Star Weekend, pitting selected players against the clock in an that evaluates fundamental basketball skills including , passing accuracy, and precision. Typically involving 4 to 8 participants—often guards and selected for their ball-handling prowess—the competition unfolds in a bracket-style format where the top performers from preliminary rounds advance to a head-to-head final. The winner is the player or team that completes the course in the least amount of time, receiving a cash prize that in 2025 totaled $55,000 from sponsor . The course demands a sequence of challenges designed to simulate on-court demands under speed pressure: participants begin by dribbling through a series of cones or pylons for , then execute targeted passes—a 25-foot bounce pass, chest pass, and outlet pass to moving or stationary targets—before transitioning to stations for an elbow jumper, a corner three-pointer, and a top-of-the-key three-pointer. for instance, in the 2025 edition with five individual entrants, players raced solo, but the structure allowed for the two fastest preliminary times (like Natasha Cloud's 34.1 seconds) to proceed to the final. This setup distinguishes the Skills Challenge from pure events like the companion by integrating multifaceted athleticism. Introduced in the early as part of All-Star festivities, the Skills Challenge has run annually with minor pauses, such as during the 2020 COVID-19 cancellation, and periodic format evolutions to enhance excitement and inclusivity. A notable change came in 2022 with the addition of relay elements, pairing players (sometimes with youth athletes or teammates) to complete segments cooperatively, as seen in the 2023 version where four two-player teams navigated the course in tandem, focusing on handoffs and synchronized execution. These tweaks, including obstacles like vehicles in later iterations, keep the event dynamic while prioritizing guards' quickness; by 2025, it reverted to an individual format with five competitors advancing via speed. Past champions showcase the event's competitive edge and record-setting potential, with times often hovering in the 25-40 second range depending on format. claimed the 2010 title in a blistering 25.0 seconds, setting a benchmark for individual speed. triumphed in 2022 during a relay pairing, highlighting emerging talent. made history in 2024 as the first to sweep both the Skills Challenge and in one weekend. captured the 2025 crown, finishing the final in 36.4 seconds to narrowly defeat Erica Wheeler by 1.1 seconds despite missing all three shots—a testament to raw pace over perfection. These victories underscore the challenge's role in celebrating versatile skill sets beyond scoring.

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