Former President Barack Obama surprised the WNBA All-Stars during their practice at his Presidential Center in Chicago on Friday, bringing a moment of excitement to the historic venue as women’s basketball’s biggest stars prepared for the weekend ahead.
The All-Star practice marked a significant milestone as the first professional sports All-Star practice ever held at a presidential center. The event took place at Home Court, the Obama Presidential Center’s 60,000-square-foot athletic building, which features a WNBA-regulation basketball court. The newly opened center, which debuted to the public on June 19 in Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side, became the first presidential center ever to host an All-Star practice.
The surprise appearance came as part of a broader landmark weekend for women’s basketball. The WNBA announced in July that the Obama Presidential Center would become the first professional sports venue to host All-Star events, with the center serving as a hub for multiple activities on Friday, July 24. Beyond the practice and media day, the venue hosted the 2026 WNBA Changemaker Day and Jr. WNBA Day, bringing together corporate partners, community members, and young athletes.
The Obama Presidential Center, an $850 million facility spanning 19.3 acres, opened less than a month before hosting the All-Star events. The facility represents the legacy of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama and includes dynamic spaces designed for community engagement and leadership development. The center’s location in Jackson Park on the South Side made it a fitting anchor for the league’s All-Star weekend activities.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert expressed enthusiasm about the partnership at the announcement. “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,” she said. “We’re excited to bring together the WNBA family and the greater Chicago community to create memorable experiences at this historic new venue.”
Valerie Jarrett, CEO of The Obama Foundation, echoed the sentiment when the partnership was announced. “We are thrilled to welcome the WNBA as our first professional sports league hosted at the Obama Presidential Center,” Jarrett said. “At the center, we believe sports have the power to bring people together and create meaningful opportunities to build the next generation of leaders.”
Obama’s longtime enthusiasm for women’s basketball has been well documented. He was the first sitting president to attend a WNBA game, attending a Washington Mystics versus Detroit Shock matchup in 2010 with his daughter Sasha. During his presidency, he hosted multiple WNBA championship teams at the White House and consistently praised the league’s athletes for their excellence and community engagement.
The 2026 All-Star weekend extended beyond the Presidential Center. The 3-Point Contest and Kia WNBA Shooting Stars competition took place Friday at Wintrust Arena, home of the Chicago Sky. The main All-Star Game itself was scheduled for Saturday, July 25, at the United Center, marking only the second time Chicago has hosted the WNBA’s premier midseason event since the last time in 2022. That game moved to the larger United Center this year, reflecting the growing prominence and attendance of women’s professional basketball.
The centerpiece of the center’s athletic spaces, Home Court, provided the perfect setting for the high-level practice and media day. The facility’s design emphasizes play, wellness, and youth engagement, making it an ideal venue for showcasing the WNBA’s commitment to the community while highlighting its brightest stars preparing for competition.
The partnership between the WNBA and the Obama Presidential Center underscored a broader moment for women’s sports in Chicago and the nation. With the league continuing to grow and attract greater interest, the decision to host marquee All-Star events at such a significant venue demonstrated the WNBA’s elevated status in the sports landscape and its commitment to engaging with communities beyond the court.