​The Obama Presidential Center recently opened its doors on the South Side of Chicago with an $850 million facility intended to serve as the public home for Barack Obama’s legacy. Among its many features is a 60,000-square-foot athletic complex named “Home Court,” and later this month, women’s basketball players will begin using the space. The WNBA announced on Wednesday that it will utilize the Obama Presidential Center for several events during its All-Star Weekend in Chicago, including practices and media day.
“Hosting AT&T WNBA All-Star events at the Obama Presidential Center is a true honor and reflects our commitment to creating connection through basketball and engaging communities in meaningful ways,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. “We’re excited to bring together the WNBA family and the greater Chicago community to create memorable experiences at this historic new venue.” The center sits on 19.3 acres in historic Jackson Park and aims to reflect the energy of Chicago and the Obamas’ belief that ordinary people working together can achieve extraordinary things through programming, events, experiences, and public spaces.
This marks the first time a WNBA All-Star practice will be held at a venue of this kind. The facility’s Home Court includes a regulation-sized WNBA basketball court. In addition to practices, the WNBA will host its Changemaker Day and Jr. WNBA Day at the Center. Valerie Jarrett, CEO of The Obama Foundation, said, “We are thrilled to welcome the WNBA as our first professional sports league hosted at the Obama Presidential Center. At the Center, we believe sports have the power to bring people together and create meaningful opportunities to build the next generation of leaders.”
The 2026 WNBA All-Star Game is scheduled to tip off on Saturday, July 25, at the United Center. The 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge will take place on Friday, July 24, at Wintrust Arena, home of the Chicago Sky.
Barack Obama has a long history with basketball and the WNBA. He was the first sitting U.S. president to attend a WNBA game when he and his daughter Sasha were courtside for a 2010 clash between the Washington Mystics and Detroit Shock. During his presidency, he frequently hosted WNBA champions at the White House, including Minnesota Lynx players on three occasions. Obama, now 64, remains a strategic partner and minority owner in NBA Africa. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY, highlighting the WNBA’s use of the Obama Presidential Center for All-Star events in Chicago.