Marquette, MI – July 23rd, 2026 – The WNBA’s 30th annual All-Star Weekend has officially arrived as fans and players descend on Chicago for one of the league’s biggest celebrations of the season. This year’s festivities feature the return of fan-favorite events, the debut of a brand-new competition, appearances from WNBA legends, and the largest prize pool in All-Star Weekend history.
The celebration begins Friday with WNBA Live, the league’s interactive fan festival at McCormick Place from 4-8 p.m. ET. Fans will have the opportunity to meet players, participate in basketball activities, purchase exclusive merchandise, and celebrate the continued growth of women’s basketball before the on-court festivities begin.
Skills Night Brings New Look to All-Star Weekend
Saturday’s action shifts to Wintrust Arena, where Skills Night begins at 8 p.m. ET. While the popular Three-Point Contest returns, the WNBA is also introducing an all-new event that replaces the traditional Skills Challenge.
Three-Point Contest
One of All-Star Weekend’s signature events, the WNBA Three-Point Contest, is back with six of the league’s top shooters competing for the title.
Originally introduced in 2006, the contest quickly became a fan favorite before taking a six-year hiatus from 2011-16. It returned in 2017 and has remained one of the marquee attractions of All-Star Weekend.
This year’s participants include:
- Bridget Carleton (Portland Fire)
- Azzi Fudd (Dallas Wings)
- Natisha Hiedeman (Seattle Storm)
- Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream)
- Marina Mabrey (Toronto Tempo)
- Janelle Salaün (Golden State Valkyries)
All six players will compete in the opening round, with the top two scores advancing to the championship round to determine the 2026 Three-Point Contest champion.
Kia WNBA Shooting Stars Competition Makes Its Debut
Replacing the traditional Skills Challenge is the inaugural Kia WNBA Shooting Stars Competition, a fast-paced event that brings together three generations of women’s basketball.
Each team consists of:
- One current WNBA player
- One WNBA legend
- One Nike EYBL high school standout
The timed competition features two rounds, with teams given 70 seconds to score as many points as possible from seven shooting locations across the court, ranging from layups to deep three-pointers. The two highest-scoring teams in the opening round will advance to the championship.
Shooting Stars Teams
Team Minnesota
- Rebekkah Brunson (WNBA Legend)
- Courtney Williams (Minnesota Lynx)
Team Seattle
- Lauren Jackson (WNBA Legend)
- Flau’jae Johnson (Seattle Storm)
Team Washington
- Elena Delle Donne (WNBA Legend)
- Shakira Austin (Washington Mystics)
Team Dallas/Detroit
- Deanna “Tweety” Nolan (WNBA Legend)
- Jessica Shepard (Dallas Wings)
Each team will also receive one Nike EYBL participant once assignments are announced.
The participating Nike EYBL players are:
- Jezelle “GG” Banks
- Ryan Carter
- Tatianna Griffin
- Morghan Reckley
Adding another unique element to the competition, WNBA legends Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon will serve as designated passers. Cooper will assist two teams, while Weatherspoon will handle the other two.
All-Star Game Rosters Draft Format
The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game features a new format, with Hall of Famers Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon serving as honorary general managers who drafted the two teams.
After finishing as the top two fan vote-getters, Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers were placed on opposite teams following a coin flip before Cooper and Weatherspoon completed their drafts.
The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET at the United Center.
Team Cynthia Cooper
Starters
- Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings)
- Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty)
- Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever)
- Natasha Howard (Minnesota Lynx)
- Gabby Williams (Golden State Valkyries)
Reserves
- Angel Reese (Atlanta Dream)
- Marina Mabrey (Toronto Tempo)
- Dominique Malonga (Seattle Storm)
- Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury, replacing Kelsey Plum)
- Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces)
- Sonia Citron (Washington Mystics)
Team Teresa Weatherspoon
Starters
- Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever)
- A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces)
- Olivia Miles (Minnesota Lynx)
- Aliyah Boston (Indiana Fever)
- Jessica Shepard (Dallas Wings)
Reserves
- Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream)
- Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream)
- Jonquel Jones (New York Liberty)
- Courtney Williams (Minnesota Lynx)
- Kiki Iriafen (Washington Mystics)
- Nneka Ogwumike (Los Angeles Sparks)
Record Prize Money on the Line
Players will be competing for significantly more than bragging rights this weekend, as the WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement has led to record-setting prize money across every event.
Every All-Star selection will earn $15,000, while the game’s Most Valuable Player will receive an additional $20,000.
Three-Point Contest participants will earn $10,000, with the champion taking home $20,000. Shooting Stars competitors will receive $7,500, while each member of the winning team will earn $15,000.
League partner Aflac is also providing substantial bonus payouts. The Three-Point Contest winner will receive an additional $40,000, with $30,000 awarded to the runner-up and $15,000 for third place. Aflac is also contributing an extra $85,000 in prize money to the Shooting Stars Competition.
The increase is a dramatic leap from 2025, when All-Star participants earned $2,575, MVP Napheesa Collier received $5,150, and skills competition winners also took home $2,575.
With a new competition, legendary players returning to the spotlight, and unprecedented financial incentives, the WNBA’s 30th All-Star Weekend promises to be one of the most memorable celebrations in league history.
