Full Breakdown
ESPN, ABC, and Disney Unveil 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Weekend
7/25/2026, 1:52:02 PM
Core Event: All-Star Game and Broadcast Slate
The 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game takes place Saturday, July 25 at Chicago’s United Center, kicking off at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC, Disney+, and the ESPN App. Pre-game coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET with a special edition of WNBA Countdown presented by Google Pixel, followed by the WNBA Postgame Show at 10:30 p.m. on ABC. Friday’s Kia WNBA Shooting Stars event and State Farm 3-Point Contest are scheduled for 8 p.m. ET at Wintrust Arena. Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo and Holly Rowe will call both days; Malika Andrews hosts the Countdown show with analysts Andraya Carter, Chiney Ogwumike and Monica McNutt. Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon serve as the All-Star teams’ general managers.
Background & Context: 30th Season Celebration and New Docuseries
The weekend marks the WNBA’s 30th season. ESPN will premiere the six-part docuseries Life in the W on Friday, July 24 at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN2, streaming on the ESPN App and Disney+. Showrunner Trishtan Williams highlights A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier and DeWanna Bonner as they navigate a “groundbreaking year” for women’s sports.
Data & Statistics: Participants, Events, and Production Technology
- Shooting Stars: Legends Rebekkah Brunson, Lauren Jackson, Elena Delle Donne, Deanna “Tweety” Nolan; current players Courtney Williams, Flau’jae Johnson, Shakira Austin, Jessica Shepard.
- 3-Point Contest: Bridget Carleton, Azzi Fudd, Natisha Hiedeman, Rhyne Howard, Marina Mabrey, Janelle Salaun.
- All-Star rosters: Team Coop (starters include Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron, Natasha Howard, Marina Mabrey, Dominique Malonga, Kelsey Mitchell, Kelsey Plum, Angel Reese, Breanna Stewart, Gabby Williams, Jackie Young) and Team Spoon (starters include Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Kiki Iriafen, Jonquel Jones, Olivia Miles, Nneka Ogwumike, Jessica Shepard, Courtney Williams, A’ja Wilson).
- Production: More than 20 cameras, including high-speed units for slow-motion replays and a shallow-depth-of-field RF camera for cinematic views.
Official Statements & Responses: ESPN’s Multi-Platform Activation
Comedian Ego Nwodim fronts ESPN’s marketing campaign, guiding fans through on-air segments, a “Live From” activation at the WNBA Live hub, and a photo experience behind the SportsCenter desk. An exclusive merchandise shop offers gear inspired by the three athletes featured in Life in the W. A nighttime drone show near Navy Pier will illuminate the Chicago skyline in ESPN red, synchronized with a live display celebrating the All-Star Game. Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles serves as the Orange Carpet correspondent; creator Alexa Stone provides live updates on ESPN’s Threads account via a Meta partnership. Additional digital programming—Hoop Streams (presented by Google Pixel) and The Wrap-Up (presented by AT&T)—will stream courtside before and after the game.
On-The-Ground Coverage: ESPN.com Reporting Team
Reporters Michael Voepel, Alexa Philippou, Kendra Andrews, Kareem Copeland and Katie Barnes will be on site in Chicago, delivering breaking news, live analysis, player grades for Friday’s events, mid-season team assessments and post-weekend playoff positioning.
The coordinated broadcast, production and fan-engagement efforts underscore ESPN’s commitment to elevating the WNBA’s 30-year legacy with an immersive, multi-camera viewing experience for a national audience.
