The Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego officially kicked off the countdown to the 2027 NBA All-Star Weekend with a press conference at Sky Harbor Airport on October 16. The event, scheduled for February 19-21, 2027, will feature festivities at the Phoenix Convention Center and the All-Star Game itself at the Suns' Mortgage Matchup Center. This announcement comes as the Suns wrap up their preseason slate, including a 116-119 loss to the Utah Jazz on October 16.
Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein, Mayor Kate Gallego, and longtime team broadcaster Tom Leander addressed the media. They unveiled a large digital countdown clock, symbolizing the official start of preparations for the league's marquee midseason event. Gallego pointed to the successful economic impact of the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game hosted in Phoenix as a blueprint. "We're going to only do better, so the goal is to have the best All-Star Game ever," the mayor stated.
Bartelstein emphasized the Suns' plan to build on past events while injecting a distinct local flavor. He noted the organization has studied recent All-Star weekends closely. "The All-Star Game's a great celebration so it's had so much success, then we put our own flavor into it, how to make it authentically Phoenix, do things bigger and better and we learned a lot," Bartelstein said.
Hosting the NBA All-Star Weekend is a major economic and cultural win for the city. It will be the first NBA All-Star event in Phoenix since 2009, with previous ones held in 1995 and 1975. The weekend drives significant tourism, media attention, and shows the city's modern infrastructure, including the recently renamed Mortgage Matchup Center. For the Suns franchise, it's a point of pride and a chance to highlight their status as a cornerstone of the league.
The organization is currently focused on the immediate NBA season, which tips off on October 20. The Suns begin their campaign on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 21. Their preseason results, including the recent 116-119 loss to Utah and a 123-103 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs on October 14, provide a final tune-up before the real games count.
The immediate focus shifts to the regular season opener. The Suns' matchup in Portland is the first step in a long campaign where every win matters for playoff positioning. Fans can track the team's progress and full schedule on our schedule page. Meanwhile, planning for the 2027 All-Star Weekend will run in parallel for the next two and a half years.
Bartelstein's comments suggest a hands-on approach, learning from other cities' events to create a unique experience. Expect announcements about tickets, event formats, and community initiatives to roll out gradually. The goal is clear: to surpass the high bar set by the 2024 WNBA event and deliver an unforgettable weekend that blends basketball excellence with the distinctive atmosphere of Phoenix. The countdown clock is now ticking.
