The Quick Version
- The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game is set for Saturday, July 25, at the United Center in Chicago on ABC.
- Starters include A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Breanna Stewart, Paige Bueckers and Aliyah Boston.
- WNBA legends Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon serve as honorary GMs and draft the rosters.
- The game caps an All-Star weekend built around a growing, sold-out fan base.
The WNBA’s midseason showcase lands in Chicago this year, and it arrives with real momentum behind it. The 2026 All-Star Game tips off Saturday, July 25, at the United Center, broadcast on ABC at 8:30 p.m. ET. If you are planning your weekend around it, here is the practical breakdown.
Who Is Starting
The fan, player and media vote produced a starting group that spans established champions and the league’s fast-rising young core. The frontcourt is anchored by two-time MVP A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, alongside Breanna Stewart, Aliyah Boston, Natasha Howard, Jessica Shepard and Gabby Williams.
The starting guards are Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Kelsey Mitchell and Olivia Miles. The full starter pool looks like this:
- Guards: Paige Bueckers (Dallas), Caitlin Clark (Indiana), Olivia Miles (Minnesota), Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana)
- Frontcourt: A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas), Breanna Stewart (New York), Aliyah Boston (Indiana), Natasha Howard (Minnesota), Jessica Shepard (Dallas), Gabby Williams (Golden State)
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese was among the top overall vote-getters in the fan returns, a sign of how much the crowd wants to see her on her home floor.
How the Format Works
This year’s game uses the captain-draft format, and the twist is who is drafting. WNBA legends Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon serve as honorary general managers, picking their rosters from the pool of All-Stars rather than leaving teams split by conference.
If you are new to this setup, it means the traditional matchups get scrambled. Teammates can end up as opponents, and the draft itself becomes part of the entertainment. It usually produces a looser, more competitive game than a straight East-versus-West format.
What to Actually Watch For
Three things are worth your attention. First, the pace: All-Star Games run fast and loose, so the guards who push tempo, Clark and Bueckers especially, tend to shape the highlights. Second, the frontcourt duel: Wilson and Stewart are among the best two-way players alive, and even in an exhibition, their competitiveness shows. Third, the home-crowd energy for Reese, which can lift the whole building.
Making a Weekend of It
All-Star is no longer just one game. The surrounding weekend includes skills events and fan programming, and Chicago has embraced hosting duties. If you are attending in person, plan for a full slate rather than a single tip-off, and expect strong demand around the United Center.
Why This Year Feels Bigger
The league has ridden a multi-year surge in attendance, television ratings and national attention. An All-Star Game in a major market, with this depth of star power, is both a celebration and a business milestone. For fans who came in during the recent boom, it is a chance to see nearly every name you have been following on one floor.
For more coverage of Black athletes and the culture around the game, visit our Entertainment (Arts, Music & Sports) section. You can find the official rosters, schedule and ticket details at WNBA.com. Set a reminder for July 25 and let the draft sort out the rest.
