NBA has already started the preparation for the 2025 NBA All-Star event after a commercially successful All-Star weekend in Indianapolis. While the events on the court have been of questionable quality, the hosting has to be of the utmost premium level.
However, some cities have already been ejected from the race to land the coveted event in their backyard. The specifics needed have a touch of upgrade to it and the result is a bit too much for some of the interested parties.
NBA’s new requirements to host All-Star Games revealed
After the recent NBA All-Star games in Indianapolis, other cities have been eager to get their chances to host the star-studded event. Now, the new essentials for hosting the All-Star games have been disclosed.
The three necessities for the host cities according to the report published by The Oklahoman:
- 7,250 hotel rooms and a minimum of three five-star hotels
- Convention center with 650,000 square feet of exhibition space
- 75 nonstop domestic flights and at least 20 international flights
The cities that will fall short of these requirements will not be allowed to bid for the hosting.
Although there’s a craze for organizing this event, the 73rd NBA All-Star game was criticized for not being up to the mark at least on the court.
Despite the dazzling LED court for the Slam Dunk contest, the NBA fans, media representatives have strongly shown their disapproval of the lack of competitiveness in the All-Star game, keeping up with the recent years’ trend. Surely, the NBA has to come up with a different game plan to crack down on the diminishing quality of the All-Star weekend.
What prevents Minneapolis from hosting NBA All-Star Games?
Like all other NBA cities, Minneapolis desired to host the NBA All-Star Games too. Although they were adequately good at hosting the All-Star Game in 1994, they did not meet the hosting requirements of the NBA this time.
While the city officially boasts 9,000 hotel rooms, there is only one five-star hotel available. The Minneapolis convention center falls short in exhibition space, offering 475,000 square feet, which is below the NBA’s requirement.
Similarly, the other two centers have even less space: U.S. Bank Stadium with 241,000 square feet and St. Paul River Centre with 230,000 square feet. The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport meets the requirement with 27 international flights and a significant number of domestic flights, totaling 163.
Minneapolis could be Minnesota’s largest city, but it does not tick all the boxes when it comes to hosting the star-studded event. It has been confirmed by the NBA that the next two All-Star events will be hosted in San Francisco and Los Angeles, respectively.
