INDIANAPOLIS – From shooting hoops to catching some of the biggest live performers, all sorts of fan experiences are now right around the corner.
All-Star 2024 is less than 24 hours from tip-off and the Circle City is quickly transforming into a basketball frenzy in every shape and form.
“I was just coming down to get some pictures and look around,” said Indiana basketball fan Jack Stevens. “It’s fantastic. You look at these buildings, what they’ve done, I mean it’s going to be a great display for our town.”
“I remember when the Super Bowl was here and how cool it was,” described fan Nathan Beck. “So I’m looking forward to the same kind of energy.”
That energy, spirit and Hoosier hospitality is even catching the eye of NBA officials as more than 125,000 people from 34 countries make their way to Indianapolis.
“The first thing they’re going to do is get off an airplane and see a basketball court in the airport,” described NBA Senior VP of Event Strategy and Management Joey Graziano. “I mean, this place does not quit. This is an amazing city and I’m so excited to be able to bring a global platform and show the world what we’ve been seeing with Indianapolis.”
Graziano said All-Star 2024 is the largest in NBA history with more than 190,000 event tickets available for fans.
“This is going to be the most ‘fan first’ All-Star we’ve ever put forward,” he said.
For the last few days, crews have been hard at work transforming the Indiana Convention Center into NBA Crossover, which is one of the main attractions for basketball fans this weekend. FOX59/CBS4 got an exclusive sneak peek of the setup on Wednesday afternoon.
“Our job is to get a basketball right into your hand and to bring together the exclusive collaborations that can only come together through NBA fandom across fashion, art, music, technology and it’s all happening right here.”
With so much to do, event planners also want to make sure you are organized, which is why they encourage fans to use the NBA All-Star 2024 Playbook online.
“You can create your own customized, individualized itinerary for the weekend and drop it into your calendar and create a way to track the things you want to see,” said Danny Lopez, VP of External Affairs for Pacers Sports and Entertainment.
Lopez also said fans need to plan their routes, which you can also do online.
“Have a plan for parking,” he said. “Understand what the traffic is going to look like and what the road closures look like.”
All in all, Pacers and NBA officials want fans to know this is their All-Star weekend and there is no better place for it than right here in Indiana.
