The 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend will bring a mix of excitement and nostalgia to the Bay Area. The former home of the Golden State Warriors, Oakland Arena, will host several major events. This comes as the All-Star Game itself is scheduled to take place at Chase Center in San Francisco on February 16, 2025. However, Oakland Arena, once known as Oracle Arena, will also have a prominent role in the festivities.
NBA Business: NBA All-Star Weekend 2025 Returns To Bay Area
Fans eager to participate in the All-Star celebrations can look forward to events like the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game on February 14. Also, there’s the NBA All-Star Practice and NBA HBCU Classic on February 15. People in Oakland miss the Warriors’ old stomping grounds. This is a welcome return to a venue filled with memories of countless victories and unforgettable moments.
Oakland Arena: A Return to Glory
The Oakland Arena was vacated by the Warriors in 2019 when they moved to the state-of-the-art Chase Center. It has remained largely unused in recent years. The decision to host key events of NBA All-Star Weekend in the historic arena adds a layer of excitement for local basketball fans. Kelly Flatow, the NBA’s executive vice president of global events, expressed the league’s commitment to integrating Oakland Arena into the celebration. She emphasized that it was an ideal location to host several high-profile events during the All-Star week.
“We’re excited that we’ll be at Chase Center, but also at Oakland Arena,” Flatow told NBC Sports Bay Area in an interview. “The goal is to bring as many events to the Bay Area as possible, and Oakland Arena was a great destination to do that.”
In addition to basketball, the arena will host fan-centered experiences and concerts. This ensures that the week leading up to the All-Star Game is packed with entertainment. The arena’s selection shows that despite the Warriors’ relocation, Oakland Arena still holds a significant place in NBA culture.
A Week-Long Celebration Beyond Basketball
While the 2025 NBA All-Star Game is the main event, the week leading up to it is set to provide a variety of activities for basketball fans and the general public alike. Events will be spread across various locations in the Bay Area. These include Moscone Center and Pier 48 in San Francisco. Concerts, fan experiences, and basketball activities will ensure the excitement stretches far beyond the court.
“The San Francisco Bay Area is an incredible destination for our fans,” said Flatow. “It’s a global celebration of the game, and San Francisco has been host to so many incredible global events as well as the NBA Finals.”
The inclusion of events like the NBA All-Star Practice and the NBA HBCU Classic at Oakland Arena ensures that both sides of the Bay Bridge will benefit from the festivities. The HBCU Classic, in particular, highlights the NBA’s ongoing efforts to promote diversity and celebrate Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Chase Center: The Centerpiece of All-Star Weekend
As the Warriors’ new home, Chase Center has quickly earned a reputation as one of the premier arenas in the NBA. Since its opening in 2019, it has hosted a wide range of events. It has hosted NBA Finals games and concerts by world-renowned artists. However, the 2025 All-Star Weekend will bring global attention to the arena on a scale not yet seen.
The All-Star Game will feature the best players from across the NBA, showcasing their skills in front of a worldwide audience. The Chase Center is located in the heart of San Francisco. Fans from around the globe are expected to flock to the city for the event. According to Flatow,
“This is a global celebration of our game, so we anticipate fans from around the world to come to the Bay Area and enjoy all of the festivities.”
NBA All-Star Bay Area Takeover
From Oakland to San Francisco, the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend promises to turn the entire Bay Area into the epicenter of basketball for an entire week. The choice to include both Chase Center and Oakland Arena in the festivities highlights the unique character of the region. It bridges the history of Oakland with the modern vibrancy of San Francisco.
For longtime basketball fans in the Bay Area, this All-Star Weekend marks a rare opportunity to see Oakland Arena once again in the spotlight. The league continues to grow and expand its global reach. The inclusion of historic venues like Oakland Arena ensures that the NBA’s roots are not forgotten. Fans can expect a mix of nostalgia, excitement, and celebration when All-Star Weekend 2025 kicks off in the Bay Area.
