Indianapolis gears up to host 2024 NBA All-Star Game

SALT LAKE CITY (WISH) — With the 2023 NBA All-Star Recreation now full, the countdown is formally on for subsequent yr’s occasion in Indianapolis. 

“All people’s excited,” mentioned Mel Raines, president of the 2024 NBA All-Star Recreation Host Committee. “We’ve been speaking about this recreation since 2017 and we’re prepared.”

Loads of folks from Indianapolis made the journey to Salt Lake Metropolis for this yr’s recreation this previous week. They met with the NBA together with native officers and others to debate concepts relating to the sport to see what labored and what didn’t in Utah. Along with that, Raines mentioned, she took many photographs in Salt Lake Metropolis for her and her staff to take a look at and analyze in dedication of what appears good and what doesn’t. 

“On my method to meet you, I took about 10 photos of various signage in bars and eating places,” Raines mentioned. “Clearly, we’re wanting on the operational elements of the fencing and site visitors and all of these issues.”

Subsequent yr would be the first time Indianapolis has hosted the NBA All-Star Recreation since 1985. That yr, the sport was performed contained in the Hoosier Dome. The 2024 All-Star Recreation will likely be performed inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Raines instructed Information 8 in Utah that Indianapolis will use its downtown hall for occasions subsequent yr. “All the lodge block is correct downtown,” Raines mentioned. “Lucas Oil (Stadium), Conference Middle, Gainbridge Fieldhouse would be the key venues for many of the occasions.”

The last word purpose is to make the 2024 NBA All-Star Recreation essentially the most memorable one but.

Patrick Talty is president of Indiana Sports activities Corp, a nonprofit sports activities fee created in 1979. He mentioned, “The All-Star Recreation is mostly a distinctive alternative for us on the worldwide stage.”

In fact, Indy was initially alleged to host All-Star Weekend again in 2021. However, fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic led to the sport getting moved to Atlanta. 

As a lot as the town would have appreciated to host the sport in 2021, folks throughout the Circle Metropolis are placing a constructive spin on it, noting they’ve had extra time to arrange.

Plus, the massive development undertaking outdoors Gainbridge Fieldhouse may make the world a higher attraction.

“In some methods, we’re fortunate that we obtained that three-year delay as a result of the Bicentennial Unity Plaza will likely be open and that’s an enormous addition,” mentioned Leonard Hoops, president and chief government officer of Go to Indy, a tourism nonprofit. “Gainbridge (Fieldhouse), all of the renovations on the precise within the world.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver mentioned Saturday that he’s glad the league discovered a method to return to Indy after it finally didn’t host the sport in 2021. “I’m thrilled that we have been in a position to reschedule that COVID All-Star Recreation to Indianapolis,” he mentioned. “I do know (Pacers staff proprietor) Herb Simon and his son Stephen are right here. Rick Fuson, staff president, is right here, along with a staff of individuals from the Pacers and Indianapolis to check the good issues that Ryan and Ashley are doing right here and the neighborhood is doing right here.

“As I really like about our groups, seeing if they will up it yet one more notch once we get to Indianapolis, so I’m already wanting ahead to it.”

Indiana Pacers gamers are additionally excited to see the All-Star Recreation of their metropolis subsequent February. Guard Tyrese Haliburton joked throughout a one-on-one interview with Information 8 this weekend that Indy hosted a Tremendous Bowl in 2012, so the town can simply do a very good job internet hosting this occasion. “Indy’s a metropolis that has hosted large occasions earlier than and is aware of what they’re doing,” Haliburton mentioned.

The 2024 NBA All-Star Recreation will likely be Feb. 18. Occasions will start Feb. 16.