Next week, Indy will host the NBA All-Star 2024. It’s no exaggeration to say that there’s never been an All-Star Weekend like this! From art activations like temporary light projections and graffiti murals, to a 24-hour service event, to the customary Hoosier Hospitality on display–the local host committee is putting on the full court press to bring home a victory for the city.
While the game itself will attract a global audience (in person and on TV), many of the activities have been created with a local audience in mind, and Hoosiers have a chance to participate in the historic weekend, whether or not they have a ticket to one of the main events.
Here are five reasons basketball fans in Indiana should head to downtown Indy, Feb. 15-18:
- It all starts with The Tip-off. For the first time, an NBA host city will tip-off NBA All-Star with a celebration of Indiana’s love of basketball with special appearances, music, fireworks and more. The headlining act will perform at Bicentennial Unity Plaza just outside Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Details will be announced early next week. Tickets will be free but must be claimed in advance. More to come, so stay tuned!
- Get in the game. While tickets have a limited supply, there are many ways fans can experience free or low-cost activities during NBA All-Star 2024. Public art installations and art galleries, pop-up retail and restaurants, and more, will all be centered right downtown in a “Cultural Corridor.” NBA Crossover, which will be held at the Indiana Convention Center, is family-friendly in terms of pricing. There, attendees will get access to player appearances, live performances, and unique activations focused on art, music, fashion, technology and entertainment. Go to NBAEvents.com for more information and to purchase tickets.
- Experience Hoosier Hysteria. Larry. Oscar. The Wizard of Westwood. The Milan Miracle. BOOM BABY! As the saying goes: In 49 states, it’s just basketball. But this is Indiana. There’s no better time and place to experience why we do basketball differently in the Hoosier State. You can find your favorite Indiana high school basketball story on a basketball sculpture; pose next to a giant Tyrese Haliburton on the JW Marriott; shoot hoops in Bicentennial Unity Plaza; and more! Hoops legends are made in Indiana. Now it’s YOUR turn to be an ALL-STAR at NBA All-Star 2024 in Indianapolis.
- Pick and roll. There will be something for everyone downtown, in what is being called “Indy’s Home Court.” That means you can pick what appeals to you–art, food, music, pop-up shops–and roll to where you want to take your shot. Just like in basketball, though, it’s important that you stay open to adjusting your plans if something else seems like a winning strategy.
- You can make your game plan in advance. Fans can create their customizable Playbook (pacers.com/playbook) to select what they want to do and when. Fans can also prep for game time by reviewing what routes to take and where to park by viewing maps and other details on the Know Before You Go page (pacers.com/allstarinfo).
From parking to traffic patterns to weather preparedness to public safety, pacers.com/allstarinfo has all kinds of information fans should check out before coming downtown. In terms of street closures and traffic patterns, the basic rule of thumb is: the closer you get to the venues, the harder it will be to navigate, and Friday and Saturday, with events at Lucas Oil, will feel basically like a Colts game. Find a place around town to park and then hop on IndyGo which will be available for FREE Thursday through Sunday to get downtown.
