Chicago Will Host 2020 NBA All-Star Game

CHICAGO, IL - The NBA All-Star Game will return to Chicago in 2020 after a 32-year absence from the city, ESPN's Nick Friedell was the first to report on Thursday. The league formally announced the selection of Chicago as the host city for the game that year in a news conference on Friday.

This will be the first time the mid-season exhibition game featuring the best players in the NBA will be played at the United Center, which opened on the city's West Side in 1994. The last time the All-Star Game was held in Chicago was 1988 at the old Chicago Stadium.

That year's all-star festivities featured an epic Slam Dunk competition in which Michael Jordan ousted Dominique Wilkens in a memorable showdown. Jordan, who was only in his fourth year in the NBA then, was also named the MVP of the game (and the NBA season) that year.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel was cheerful of the NBA's decision to land the game in Chicago when the news was officially announced on Friday.

“Chicago is looking forward to hosting NBA All-Star 2020 and welcoming players and fans from across the country and around the world to our great city," the mayor said in a statement to media. "Chicago is a global hub for sports, entertainment and culture. Bringing the NBA All-Star Game back to the city for the first time in over three decades is a win for our city, our businesses and fans of all ages who will have the chance to be part of one of basketball’s biggest events.”

Traditionally pitting the stars of the Western Conference against the Eastern Conference, the All-Star Game will change formats this year. Two captains will select other players voted in the game by fans in a pick-up style game.

This year's All-Star Game will be played in Los Angeles. The game will also stop in Charlotte in 2019 before making its Chicago return the following year.

Photo by Tim Moran / Patch