The high-anticipated WNBA All-Star Weekend is about to begin in a few days at the city of Indianapolis. All fans are now waiting to witness what many think it will be big show on Friday night.
The event will start with the exciting 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge. With more prize money for the winners, fan-loved players, and live coverage on TV, these events are set to show off the best in womens basketball right before Saturday’s final big All-Star Game.
Date and time
Today Friday, July 18, the planned matches will be held at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where the Indiana Fever plays. They will show it live on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET. The events are a big component of the All-Star Weekend plan and it is expected they pull in a lot of viewers thanks to a list full of stars and new WNBA prospects.
Who is competing in the 3-point contest?
3-Point contest participants:
- Lexie Hull (Indiana Fever) This is her first time in the contest at her home stadium.
- Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty) She holds the top score ever (37 points).
- Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream) The return of the champion.
- Kelsey Plum (Los Angeles Sparks) Effective shooter and fan favorite.
- Sonia Citron (Washington Mystics) In the All-Star for the first time.
Skills challenge participants:
- Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream) Trying to defend her titles in both contests.
- Skylar Diggins-Smith (Seattle Storm) Really skillful veteran.
- Courtney Williams (Minnesota Lynx) Fast and fun to watch.
- Natasha Cloud (New York Liberty) A passing legend.
- Erica Wheeler (Seattle Storm) Lively and creative.
Rules and format
- 3-Point Contest:
Each player has 70 seconds to make shots from five racks, and one rack has all money balls worth two points each. The top two scorers go to the last round to pick a winner.
- Skills Challenge:
Players move through a timed course doing dribbles, passes, and shots, ending with a three-point try. Quick and right moves are essential, and the top two go to the last face-off.
Ultimate prize money
With the support of new sponsors, like Aflac, the competition suffered a boost in the financial compensation for the winners. It has increased:
- 3-Point Contest Winner: $60,000
- Skills Challenge Winner: $55,000
These amounts are a big jump from past years and show a bigger aim to give WNBA players fair pay for their roles and efforts. For example, the All-Star Game bonus is still just $2,575 a small sum that has been not well likedbu some WNBA experts, but still, this tihngs make clear how popular the league is getting.
These contests are more than just fun; they let players show their skills, get closer to fans, and provide the opportunity to earn a bit of extra money. With top players like Caitlin Clark and Sabrina Ionescu, we see the future of the WNBA as a promising dream: full of action, competition, and perfect for marketing.
For the league, the Friday night events show a big push into women’s sports and a chance to get more viewers and gain public interest.
The 2025 WNBA 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge are not just extra shows at All-Star Weekend they are key events. They put a spotlight on the best talent and celebrate how womens basketball is changing. With cash, pride, and skill all on the line, Friday night is set for big vibes and cool showings.
To read more about the WNBA and its stars, dive into the MARCA.com world.
Read the full article here
