Last year, even the All-Star Game saw the “Caitlin Clark effect,” as the game drew an average of 3.44 million viewers on ABC—shattering the previous record of 1.44 million set in 2003—and marking the highest-ever audience ever for a WNBA event! There is no doubt about how instrumental CC has been to the exponential growth of WNBA followers. And this year, the all-star event is touted to be even bigger, and Indianapolis is well aware of that!
The All-Star Game is a little extra special for the Indiana faithful this year. Reason? It’s being hosted at the Fever’s home court, Gainbridge Fieldhouse. And as expected, their superstar is already leading in the All-Star voting.
While the full voting results are set to be announced on June 28, early numbers show Caitlin Clark on top, with Kia WNBA MVP runner-up Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx trailing closely behind. Clark, who was the Rookie of the Year in 2024, leads the way with 515,993 votes, while Collier has 484,758 votes.
But what makes this process huge isn’t just the stars; it’s the fans. As Caitlin Clark puts it, “It is what it is,” Clark said with a smile to For The Win. “People get so hyped up over that, but that’s not why you play the game. I think it’s a fun way to get fans involved and really passionate.” She’s right, and the hype is real. If Clark finishes as the top vote-getter overall, she’ll get to choose her own team for the All-Star Game. That means fans could watch her draft players from across the league, including the likes of the new rookie on the block, Paige Bueckers.
A basketball court has been set up at the Indianapolis airport, marking WNBA All-Star coming next month: pic.twitter.com/KuYLwk8Xfp
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) June 25, 2025
But that’s not all. What makes this even more thrilling for Fever fans is that eight of their players currently rank in the top 40 in All-Star voting. So yes, the buzz around Indiana is loud, and to match that energy, Indianapolis recently made a genius marketing move. With the game scheduled to tip off on July 19, authorities decided to set up a basketball court at the Indianapolis International Airport to promote the event.
And why not? The airport has been named the Best Airport in North America by Airports Council International for 12 straight years, as of 2024. It’s also a repeated winner of J.D. Power’s top customer satisfaction awards among mid-sized airports. Plus, last year, with major events like the NBA All-Star Game, the Indy 500, the solar eclipse, and a busy summer travel season, the airport welcomed over 10 million passengers—a record, and up 11% from previous years. So, with the Caitlin Clark buzz in full swing, a similar impact is expected this summer. And they may have some special plans up their sleeve, similar to what they did last year.
WNBA follows the path paved by the NBA last season!
Last year, during the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend, Indianapolis made sure the celebrations started the moment fans stepped off the plane. Right in the middle of the Indianapolis International Airport’s pre-security plaza, travelers were greeted with a full-size basketball court—and not just any court.
This wasn’t some simple display. It was a regulation 94-by-50-foot court, wrapped in a vibrant, All-Star-themed vinyl decal designed to mimic the exact floor players would compete on at Gainbridge Fieldhouse that weekend. Above the basket was a “20:24” game clock, adding to the authentic feel. The process took 10 hours to print and 20 hours to install over three nights—an effort that paid off the moment the court started going viral.
Nov 6, 2023; San Francisco, CA, USA; Event emcee Bonta Hill speaks during a press conference to announce the selection of the Golden State Warriors and San Francisco Bay Area to host the 2025 NBA All-Star Game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
While no one was allowed to actually shoot hoops, as clear sheets covered the rims but travelers still made the most of it. Some mimed three-pointers, others posed for Instagram-worthy shots, and a few joked about playing a quick pickup game. “Pickup? Let’s go,” one flight attendant said to his crew. “We’re the real All-Stars. I’ll cook you,” another replied. That kind of playful, competitive energy was everywhere, fitting for a state where basketball is more than just a pastime. As the saying goes, “In 49 other states, it’s just basketball. This is Indiana.”
But the moment that truly sealed the court’s place in All-Star Weekend history came when WNBA legend and former Indiana Fever star Tamika Catchings stepped onto it—and sank a half-court shot, later admitting that it was one of the most amazing things she’s ever done in her career.
And it was extra special because Catchings isn’t just a beloved basketball icon—she also serves on the Indianapolis Airport Authority Board, the very team behind the court’s creation. So while the airport has pulled off creative installations before, this one marked a first for the WNBA—and one that fans won’t forget anytime soon.
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