NBA All-Star Game Guide: Schedule, Road Closures, How To Watch

CHARLOTTE, NC — Basketball fever is spreading all over the Queen City in preparation for this weekend’s NBA All-Star Game, which is expected to bring 150,000 visitors to the Charlotte metro region. That means there’s going to be a lot of traffic, say city officials.

Here’s what you need to know about game schedules, traffic choke points, road closures and more.

TRAFFIC CHOKEPOINTS
Charlotte police warn that higher than normal volume of traffic should be expected near SouthPark Mall, Northlake Mall, Spectrum Center, Bojangles Coliseum and the Charlotte Convention Center.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION
The N.C. Department of Transportation is temporarily suspending lane closures related to the ongoing Interstate 277 bridge improvement project, the City of Charlotte said.

Also:

• I-277 lane closures will be suspended from Thursday morning, Feb. 14, until Monday night, Feb. 18.
• Lane closures on I-77 will be suspended from Friday morning, Feb.15, until Monday night.
• An exception is a pavement rehabilitation project on I-85 west of uptown, between N.C. 16 and Moores Chapel Road. The contractor may install lane closures only on I-85 North, no earlier than 10 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17. Work will be weather depending.

GAME SCHEDULE, HOW TO WATCH

Friday, Feb. 15

• 9:30 a.m. — MTN DEW ICE Rising Stars Media Day & Practice
• 11 a.m. — MTN DEW ICE Rising Stars Practice, televised on NBA TV
• 5 p.m. — Hall of Fame Announcement, televised on NBA TV
• 7 p.m. — NBA All-Star Celebrity Game presented by Ruffles — televised on ESPN
• 9 p.m. — MTN DEW ICE Rising Stars, televised on TNT

Saturday, Feb. 16

• 9:30 a.m. — NBA All-Star Media Day & Practice, televised on NBA TV
• 12:05 p.m. — 12:55 p.m. Team Giannis Practice
• 1:05 p.m. — 1:55 p.m. Team LeBron Practice
• 7 p.m. — Commissioner Adam Silver media availability, televised on NBA TV
• 8 p.m. — State Farm All-Star Saturday Night, Spectrum Center, televised on TNT
• Taco Bell Skills Challenge (first event)
• Three-Point Contest (second event)
• AT&T Slam Dunk (third event)

Sunday, Feb. 17

• 3 p.m. — NBA Legends Brunch, NBA TV coverage begins at 3 p.m. ET
• 8 p.m. — 68th NBA All-Star Game, TNT coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET (also available on TBS)

Here are more details about transportation logistics, including ride share pick-up locations, according to the City of Charlotte:

Transit Center Located at 7th Street: At the start of Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) service on Friday, Feb.15, the Charlotte Transportation Center (CTC) will be temporarily relocated to the surface lot across from the LYNX 7th Street parking deck. The temporary transit center will provide pass sales and information, connections to other CATS bus routes, heated customer waiting area, restrooms and on-site safety and security personnel. The CTC will resume normal operation at the start of service on Monday, Feb. 18.

Spectrum Center: All bags, including, briefcases, luggage and backpacks, will be prohibited from entering the facility. Diaper bags and purses must be smaller than 14” x 14” x 6”. Guests who are in possession of items that exceed the size limit must take them back to their vehicle or hotel.

Traffic Impacts and Street Closures: Heavy pedestrian traffic is expected in Uptown, with road closures around Spectrum Center. If you do not need to travel to Uptown during this time, please avoid the area.

• It is recommended to avoid Independence Boulevard and the Bojangles’ Coliseum area on Friday afternoon.
• Parking around the AvidXchange Music Factory will be limited.
• For updates on closures, follow the Charlotte Department of Transportation on Twitter.

Parking Impacts: Parking garages around Uptown may have limited or no availability during the weekend. Valet parking will also be disbanded and many on-street parking spaces will be unavailable. View on-street parking restrictions with this interactive map.

Travel Light on LYNX: The LYNX Blue Line will operate during NBA All-Star Weekend, however, additional security measures will be in place. Beginning at 5 p.m. until end of day service on Friday, Feb. 15, Saturday, Feb. 16 and Sunday, Feb. 17, purses, backpacks, suitcases, large tote bags or bulky items will not be allowed on board LYNX trains or at station platforms.

After 5 p.m. each day, riders who choose to travel with their personal belongings should put them in a CLEAR bag. Any clear bag is acceptable. This will allow the customer to reboard LYNX at the 3rd Street or 7th Street Stations – after the security sweep – and continue their trip through the CTC/Arena Station. All riders will be required to get off at the 3rd Street or 7th Street Stations; the train will then undergo a security sweep. Riders with no bags or a clear bag will be allowed to reboard after the sweep and continue their trip. Riders with belongings that are not in a clear bag will not be allowed to reboard the train and must walk to an open LYNX station to continue their trip. This security measure will be in place until the end of service each night.

During NBA All-Star Weekend, customers traveling from I-485 to UNC Charlotte must exit at the 3rd Street Station; Customers traveling from UNC Charlotte Main Station to I-485 must exit at the 7th Street Station. Customers can continue their trip after the security sweep has been completed.

Beginning at 5 p.m. until end of day service on Friday, Feb. 15, Saturday, Feb. 16 and Sunday, Feb. 17, there will be no light rail service at the CTC/Arena Station. Customers will need to walk to 3rd Street or 7th Street Stations for light rail service.

Roads and Uber/Lyft/E-Scooters: Pick-up and drop-off locations will be altered, and E-scooters and bicycles will not be allowed in areas around Spectrum Center.

Uber and Lyft pickup locations:

• Bojangles’ Coliseum: Independence Blvd. on Paul Buck Blvd.
• Spectrum Arena: 3rd and 8th Ave.

Heavy pedestrian traffic is expected in Uptown. The following roads surrounding Spectrum Arena will be closed to public traffic beginning Thursday, Feb. 14:

• Caldwell Street and Brevard Street between 4th Street and 6th Street
• East Trade Street and East 5th Street between College Street and North Davidson Street

Safety and Security: If you see something, say something. To report illegal or suspicious activity, or in the event of an emergency, dial 911. For non-emergency related cases, dial 311. CharMeck 311 is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Residents can also submit service requests online 24 hours a day.

Follow instructions from uniformed safety and security personnel, police officers or fire officials. When possible, walk in groups and avoid low-lit areas. Keep track of your belongings in taxis and be sure to monitor your personal items in public places – never leave your property unattended. Review the fire/life safety procedures at your hotel and keep your hotel room door secured at all times. Make a copy of your passport, credit and debit cards in the event they are lost. NBA All-Star security updates can be found on the NBA All-Star App.

Hotel Footprint: All Uptown hotels will be impacted with travelers to All-Star events, as well as hotels in the Executive Park and South Park areas.

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