The Boston Celtics haven’t hosted an NBA All-Star Game since 1964, but that could change in the near future. According to the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn, the team, the city, and the state of Massachusetts are collaborating on a potential bid to host the annual exhibition in 2029.
The league just wrapped All-Star Weekend 2024 in Indianapolis. Next year, San Francisco will play host, followed by Los Angeles in 2026. Washburn reported Phoenix is the leading favorite to host in 2027, while there is a scheduling conflict for Boston in 2028. That leaves 2029 as the next conceivable year for the Hub.
Celtics team president Rich Gotham, who is spearheading the preliminary campaign, told the Globe all the necessary constituents are excited about the possibility.
Celtics Lab 141: Breaking down the good, bad, and irretrievably broken of All-Star Week with Clemente Almanza https://t.co/1p4SPh5j59 pic.twitter.com/htIsVR2fBK
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) February 19, 2024
“We’ve had those conversations with both the NBA and the city of Boston and a lot of different constituencies, including TD Garden and Meet Boston,” Gotham said. “We’ve had some preliminary conversations and there’s enthusiasm from all the parties to bring the game to Boston. We’re working at it.”
The Celtics are tenants at TD Garden, so would need to collaborate with the building’s owners, Delaware North Companies. As Gotham explained, the hosting the NBA’s All-Star Weekend is a very involved endeavor.
“We’ve got a great relationship with the Garden,” Gotham said. “But it’s not easy to schedule any event, let alone something as big as the All-Star Game, where they really come in and move into the building for a 10-day period. For an arena that’s got both a hockey team and a basketball team and host a number of other events, it’s not easy to find a window.”
Jaylen Brown's dunk contest performance was a new approach https://t.co/TWM7VmDgjw pic.twitter.com/9qNvQIIRUn
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) February 20, 2024
Beyond TD Garden, hosting the game would take cooperation and support from across Boston. The city’s convention center, Meet Boston, would be just one of a number of facilities that would help host. Washburn reported the Celtics do have the support of Delaware North and Boston mayor Michelle Wu.
“The economic impact is really big,” Gotham told Washburn. “It’s not quite the Super Bowl, but as far as sporting events go, it’s a big event. It’s the NBA version of the Super Bowl, and it draws people from all over the world.”
“The media coverage is global, and it would be a great way to showcase Boston,” Gotham said. “And Boston is certainly, particularly with all the development that’s gone on in the Seaport, all the hotels, the facilities, Boston’s definitely a viable destination, so we’re hoping to be able to bring a game (here). I think 2029 is likely, but nothing is locked in at this point.”
Jayson Tatum outlines SoFi partnership with visit to Kenny Beecham Podcast https://t.co/q4XIYuMU1z pic.twitter.com/t6nEBUfvDi
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) February 20, 2024
Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ
