It's Official: NBA All-Star Game Comes To Cleveland In 2022

CLEVELAND — After months and months of speculation, the NBA made it official on Thursday: The All-Star Game is coming back to Cleveland in 2022.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver came to Cleveland on Thursday. In front of gathered new media, Cuyahoga County and Cleveland officials, and Cavaliers team members and organiztation leaders, Silver confirmed the rumors — Quicken Loans Arena would host an All-Star Game. The 2022 season will also be a celebration of the NBA's 75th birthday.

Silver said Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, along with other leaders, made passionate pleas to bring the All-Star Game back to Cleveland. "It was something — when the conversations began with the civic leaders here, about the transformation [of Quicken Loans] — it was only fitting, and it only made sense if this public-private partnership could be completed, to bring another All-Star Game to Cleveland," Silver said.

What was once a simple event, is now a full-blown spectacle with a week of star sightings, events, and performances surrounding the All-Star Game. Cleveland bars and businesses will likely enjoy a windfall of foot traffic during that stretch of time in 2022.

The last time the Cleveland Cavaliers hosted the All-Star Game was in 1997, more than two decades ago. The home of the Cavaliers was still known as Gund Arena at the time.

Charlotte will host the 2019 All-Star Game, Chicago the 2020 Game, and Indianapolis the 2021 Game.

Mayor Frank Jackson, Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish, and Representative Marica Fudge were all on-hand Thursday for the announcement.

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Photo from Rick Uldricks, Patch