Cleveland to host NBA All-Star 2022 and commemorate the league’s 75th anniversary

It was announced announced this week that Cleveland has been selected to host NBA All-Star 2022, when the league will be commemorating its 75^th anniversary. The 71^st NBA All-Star Game will take place at Quicken Loans Arena, home of the Cleveland Cavaliers, on February 20, 2022. 

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made the announcement yesterday during a press conference at Quicken Loans Arena (The Q), where he was joined by Cleveland Cavaliers Chairman, Dan Gilbert, Cavaliers and Quicken Loans Arena CEO, Len Komoroski, Cleveland Mayor, Frank G. Jackson, Cuyahoga County Executive, Armond Budish, and U.S. Representative, Eleventh Congressional District of Ohio, Marcia Fudge.

The Cavaliers previously hosted NBA All-Star in 1997, when the NBA celebrated its 50^th anniversary, and in 1981.

Adam Silver, Commissioner, NBA, said:

Cleveland is a passionate sports city with a proven track record of hosting large-scale, global events. We thank Dan Gilbert, Len Komoroski and the civic leaders for their commitment, and we look forward to a weeklong celebration of our game.

With the current, large-scale arena renovations underway that will be completed in advance of NBA All-Star 2022, the game and extended activities in the transformed Quicken Loans Arena will offer fans an enhanced experience.

Cleveland Cavaliers Chairman, Dan Gilbert, said:

We are proud to host NBA All-Star weekend in Cleveland in 2022. We have been working with the NBA, the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County to deliver this iconic event to Northeast Ohio for the last couple of years. The transformation and new state-of-the-art Quicken Loans Arena was an important factor in the NBA’s decision to choose Cleveland for this exciting classic broadcast across the globe. The world will get to see the modern Cleveland and all of its diversity, innovation and promise for the future.

Cavaliers and Quicken Loans Arena CEO, Len Komoroski, said:

Along with the excitement and appreciation for the NBA selecting Cleveland and Quicken Loans Arena to host NBA All-Star 2022, we want to extend a big ‘thanks’ to our local partners at Destination Cleveland and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, and our City, County and Civic leaders. Their support and energy to always demonstrate what we as a community do best is at the core of bringing these major events to our city. We have a great partnership that will deliver an experience fitting for the NBA All-Star global spotlight. We thank the NBA for their confidence in this collective group, and we will put forth the focus and commitment to ensure that the players, fans, corporate partners, media and all who visit have an extraordinary experience in Cleveland and at the transformed Q in 2022.

Mayor Jackson added:

The City of Cleveland is pleased to host NBA All-Star 2022. Our city is no stranger to hosting successful, large, global events. It is a good opportunity, once again, for visitors to come to Cleveland and experience all we have to offer.

Cuyahoga County Executive, Armond Budish, commented:

This is great news for Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. When we made the decision to invest in the transformation of the Q, we were aiming for exactly this kind of result. I am thrilled to see the NBA All-Star Game coming in 2022 with an expected $100 million economic impact to our region. Once again, our city and county will shine on the national and international stage and our businesses and residents will reap the rewards.

NBA All-Star oncourt events will tip off on Friday, February 18 at Quicken Loans Arena, with MTN DEW ICE Rising Stars, an annual showcase for top rookies and second-year NBA players. On February 19, State Farm All-Star Saturday Night will feature the Taco Bell Skills Challenge and the Three-Point and Slam Dunk contests. NBA All-Star 2022 will culminate with the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, February 20.

The NBA will host several events for fans of all ages at venues throughout the city, including The Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University and Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. These events, including NBA All-Star Practice and the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game presented by Ruffles, will feature basketball programming and entertainment for fans as well as up-close access to NBA players, legends and celebrities.

The league will also continue to celebrate its tradition and commitment to social responsibility with a full schedule of NBA Cares events during NBA All-Star 2022. Through partnerships with schools, government and local nonprofit organisations in Cleveland and surrounding areas, the league will reach thousands of children and families and provide critical resources to community-based programs.

In 2022, the NBA All-Star Game will be televised in prime time on TNT for the 20^th consecutive year, marking Turner Sports’ 37^th year of NBA All-Star coverage. The game will be broadcast worldwide in 215 countries and territories and in 50 languages.

NBA All-Star history in Cleveland

Cleveland last hosted NBA All-Star in 1997, when the league celebrated its 50^th anniversary season. The NBA’s 50 Greatest Players were honoured during a ceremony at halftime of the All-Star Game.

The 1997 NBA All-Star Game featured a historic performance from Charlotte Hornets forward Glen Rice, who set an All-Star record for points in a quarter with 20 in the third period. Rice finished with 26 points to lead the Eastern Conference past the Western Conference 132-120, earning MVP honours.

Also at NBA All-Star 1997, Los Angeles Lakers rookie guard Kobe Bryant won the Slam Dunk Contest, Chicago Bulls guard Steve Kerr triumphed in the Three-Point Contest and Philadelphia 76ers rookie guard Allen Iverson was named MVP of Rising Stars.

The Cavaliers also hosted NBA All-Star 1981, at Richfield Coliseum, the team’s home from 1974-94. Behind MVP Tiny Archibald of the Boston Celtics, the East defeated the West 123-120.

The Q Transformation

The Q is currently undergoing a major US$140m upgrade and expansion, which will allow it to host major events, and extend the lifespan of the Cavalier’s home court. Gensler Sport is serving as the design architect – taking over the project from SHoP and Rossetti, who released a design for the stadium in 2016 –  and will be responsible for transforming the exterior elements of the building, including new areas for outdoor events and modern solutions for arena entry challenges.

The redesigned six levels of interior space will be expanded to increase the functionality of the main concourses and gathering areas.

Images, courtesy: Gensler Sport

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