On Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. CT), the WNBA returns to center stage for its annual All‑Star Game—this year hosted for the first time ever by Indianapolis, home of the Indiana Fever. Gainbridge Fieldhouse will buzz with excitement as Team Clark (East) and Team Collier (West) take to the court(talksport.com, ctinsider.com).
This All‑Star Game is more than just a showcase of talent—it’s a celebration of the WNBA’s meteoric rise. Since Caitlin Clark’s explosive arrival in 2023, the league has experienced record-breaking viewership and expanded media deals, including its landmark $2.2 billion, 11‑year TV agreement(the-sun.com).
The buzz surrounding Caitlin Clark seems impossible to extinguish. The Fever’s lightning‑fast guard — averaging 18.2 points and 8.9 assists per game — continues to redefine what it means to be a WNBA rookie turned superstar(startribune.com).
Clark earned a staggering 1,293,526 fan votes, leading the All‑Star fan tallies by a comfortable margin. Even sidelined by a groin strain, she remains the face of the WNBA, inspiring sold‑out stands and lucrative endorsement deals rumored to exceed $40 million(ctinsider.com).
Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, a five‑year WNBA fixture and former UConn standout, claimed the second most votes—1,176,020—earned unanimously by fans, players, and media. Collier leads the WNBA in scoring with a career‑high 24.5 points per game, plus averages of 8.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists(ctinsider.com).
Collier’s dominance isn’t new—she’s crafted jaw‑dropping performances (34, 33, and 32‑point nights) en route to anchoring a Minnesota team boasting the best record in the league (14–2)(ctinsider.com).
Breaking from traditional East vs. West, this year’s game embraces a captains’ draft format. On July 8, on “WNBA Countdown,” Clark and Collier will hand‑pick their rosters from the eight starters (based on composite voting), followed by six reserves apiece. Coaches leading the best teams in the league as of July 4 will helm the squads(
This player‑selected dynamic promises engaging strategy: Will Caitlin stockpile sharpshooters? Can Napheesa build a defensive fortress? And amid all this excitement, the talk of “Nike-Clark” launching a rival women’s league simmers—undercutting just how pivotal Clark’s impact truly is
Friday, July 18 features the 3‑Point Contest and Skills Challenge, airing at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN (also streaming on Disney+ and ESPN+). These skill challenges spotlight rising talents and offer a lighter counterpoint to the game’s intensity.
Alongside the televised action, Indianapolis is building an immersive fan experience:
- All‑Star Bounce — a free half‑mile youth dribble event engaging 2,500 kids downtown
- A statewide scavenger hunt, connecting fans across 17 Indiana cities with prizes and community vibe
- Fever Fest, a preceding star‑studded music and comedy celebration, headlined by The Kid LAROI, Clifton jones, G‑Eazy, and others(
Here’s how to tune in:
- ABC – primary national broadcast of the All‑Star Game (live, primetime)(
- ESPN – hosts the Friday skill contests and provides dispatches across platforms (ABC simulcast on ESPN+)(
- Disney+ and ESPN+ – streaming options debuting the All‑Star Game alongside traditional broadcas
- Fubo, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream – all include ABC/ESPN access
- Prime Video will cover a number of midseason and postseason games, including the Commissioner’s Cup, but not the All‑Star live broadcast
Thanks to Caitlin Clark’s starpower, the 2024 All‑Star Game shattered viewership records—3.44 million viewers on ABC, dwarfing the previous record of 1.44 million from 2003
This year’s broadened broadcast reach (ABC + Disney+ + ESPN+) signals the WNBA’s evolution from niche sports niche into mainstream spectacle.
Whether or not Clark realizes the rumored “Nike‑Clark league,” her presence has already triggered ripples: sell‑out arenas, brand equity, and a seismic shift in how women’s basketball is perceived and consumed
With Clark and Collier leading contrasting styles—Clark’s court vision vs. Collier’s all‑around dominance—the draft decisions, on‑court matchups, and head-to-head intrigues become must-watch storytelling.
- Averaging 18.2 pts / 8.9 asts
- Led fan voting with over 1.29 million vote
- Despite groin strain, remains the league’s Most Marketable Player—endorsements approaching nine figures
- Role model for young girls, prompting nationwide sell‑outs and record TV audiences
- Leading WNBA in scoring (24.5 PPG), top 4 rebounds (8.5)
- Authority figure in the league—veteran, reliable, consistent
- Two-time All-Star, with postseason and defensive honors on resume(
Coaches and rosters will shape up around the two captains. Expect stars like A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Alyssa Thomas, Angel Reese, Jewell Loyd, and more. The Skills and 3‑Point contests may feature up‑and‑coming sharpshooters and dynamic guards.
The host committee has crafted immersive experiences beyond the hardwood:
- All‑Star Bounce: A non‑competitive youth dribble event on game day(
- Scavenger Hunt: Engaging fans statewide with basketball trivia + prizes(
- Fever Fest: A multi-genre entertainment showcase, blending music, comedy, culture
Such events deepen community engagement and widen the WNBA’s cultural imprint.
- Draft strategies revealed. Combination of fan, player, and media influence defines rosters
- Exciting matchups: who wins the 3‑Point crown? Which rookie shines in Skills Challenge?
- Style meets strategy: can Clark’s sharpshooters outgun Collier’s physicality?
- Coaching edge: Will the top‑record coach guide the captain with most votes?
- Legacy beyond statistics: representation, inclusion, and long-term impact.
This All‑Star Game is a midseason inflection point—not just for bragging rights but as a platform to elevate the WNBA’s prominence. Beyond the court:
- Media expansion: Every ABC airing, Disney+ stream, or ESPN+ replay inches the WNBA closer to parity with major men’s sports coverage.
- Commercial viability: Big‑budget sponsorships (Nike, Gatorade, Wilson) spearheaded by Clark, Collier, and Reese strengthen league finances.
- Talent pipeline: All‑Star visibility empowers rookies and inspires younger generations.
All sharp eyes now turn to July 19: an electrifying night not only of basketball, but of cultural affirmation and momentum.
- Cultural impact: Caitlin Clark’s image and fan appeal have fast‑tracked attention, monetization, and viewership for women’s basketball—a record-breaking moment in sports.
- Competitive innovation: The captain draft model and dynamic roster-building keep the format fresh and unpredictable.
- Fan engagement: From scavenger hunts to youth dribble events, the league is cultivating grassroots passion and civic pride in host cities.
- Broadcast evolution: Simulcast across ABC + Disney+ + ESPN+, this is the most widely accessible All‑Star game yet—a turning point for female sports.
In the 2025 WNBA All‑Star Game, we’re doing more than crowning a single night’s MVP. This is a celebration of progress and potential—showcasing elite talent, strategic innovation, and amplified cultural momentum.
As the buzzer drops on July 19 at 8:30 p.m. ET, set your reminders. Whether tuning in over the airwaves on ABC, streaming via ESPN+ or Disney+, or cheering on in person in Indy, you’ll witness a defining chapter in women’s sports history.
