Memphis 2026 NBA All Star weekend

[Memphisborn]

Memphis should be pursuing 2026 NBA all star weekend. We are continuing to add more hotels in Downtown/ midtown area that should help meet the 6,000 room requirement last count was around 4,000 rooms currently with 2,000 more planned. If we continue to build our infrastructure the right way we should be ready by 2026 to host. Overton square & Beale street are ready we need  main st/ edge district to move forward with more hotel/ entertainment/ retail / restaurants. 

 

https://www.nba.com/nba-all-star-weekend-future-locations

Edited January 4, 2022 by Memphisborn

[MDC26]

23 hours ago, Memphisborn said:

Memphis should be pursuing 2026 NBA all star weekend. We are continuing to add more hotels in Downtown/ midtown area that should help meet the 6,000 room requirement last count was around 4,000 rooms currently with 2,000 more planned. If we continue to build our infrastructure the right way we should be ready by 2026 to host. Overton square & Beale street are ready we need  main st/ edge district to move forward with more hotel/ entertainment/ retail / restaurants. 

 

https://www.nba.com/nba-all-star-weekend-future-locations

I agree.  There are only 4 current NBA cities that have not hosted an NBA All-Star game.  Sacramento, Portland, OKC, and Memphis.  Technically, San Francisco hasn't hosted one, but the Warriors hosted an All-Star game when they were in Oakland so that counts in my opinion.  

I think by 2026 there will be  plenty of downtown hotel rooms.  The addition of the One Beale/Hyatt complex adds a bunch, and there are more hotels in the pipeline.  Where would you prefer the celebrity game be played?  Ideally, the Mid-South Coliseum will be renovated by then, and could host it.  Other options would be temporary court set up at the convention center or Landers Center.  Landers Center venue is more than adequate, but location is far from ideal being that far away from downtown.  

[Memphisborn]

2 hours ago, MDC26 said:

I agree.  There are only 4 current NBA cities that have not hosted an NBA All-Star game.  Sacramento, Portland, OKC, and Memphis.  Technically, San Francisco hasn't hosted one, but the Warriors hosted an All-Star game when they were in Oakland so that counts in my opinion.  

I think by 2026 there will be  plenty of downtown hotel rooms.  The addition of the One Beale/Hyatt complex adds a bunch, and there are more hotels in the pipeline.  Where would you prefer the celebrity game be played?  Ideally, the Mid-South Coliseum will be renovated by then, and could host it.  Other options would be temporary court set up at the convention center or Landers Center.  Landers Center venue is more than adequate, but location is far from ideal being that far away from downtown.  

MSC would be ideal for the celebrity game. There will be a RFP come out soon for coliseum, my understanding is the plan is to reduce seating to about 5, 000 fixed seats with an additional 1500 floor seats. 6500 would be great! Liberty Park is well under construction with two hotels/ entertainment/ retail also Tobey park is in the plan to be redeveloped so u could host a celebrity softball game there. Close to Overton Square (Memphian) hotel/ entertainment right there too.  With the walk on union in the works let’s hope that gives the edge a shot in the arm for more infill maybe a KC live! Sixth st(AustinTx) type of redo/ vibe. But definitely 2026 is a realistic timeline to bid for All star weekend a lot should be completed by then. Lowes, 100N main, should be done. 

[MLBrumby]

It'd be great to see an All Star game in Memphis. Hope the city's leaders see fit to pursue one. 

[JTM1]

On 1/4/2022 at 2:25 PM, Memphisborn said:

Memphis should be pursuing 2026 NBA all star weekend. We are continuing to add more hotels in Downtown/ midtown area that should help meet the 6,000 room requirement last count was around 4,000 rooms currently with 2,000 more planned. If we continue to build our infrastructure the right way we should be ready by 2026 to host. Overton square & Beale street are ready we need  main st/ edge district to move forward with more hotel/ entertainment/ retail / restaurants. 

 

https://www.nba.com/nba-all-star-weekend-future-locations

I agree.  I hope Memphis Tourism is on this, because hosting the NBA Allstar game in 2026 would be awesome. Having a kickass concert would be an ideal closer for the weekend. Maybe Drake, Justin Timberlake, John Legend, Bruno Mars etc could headline the show. Let the people that assemble have the best Allstar experience they have ever had. 

[Memphisborn]

41 minutes ago, JTM1 said:

I agree.  I hope Memphis Tourism is on this, because hosting the NBA Allstar game in 2026 would be awesome. Having a kickass concert would be an ideal closer for the weekend. Maybe Drake, Justin Timberlake, John Legend, Bruno Mars etc could headline the show. Let the people that assemble have the best Allstar experience they have ever had. 

Everyone that agrees we should pursue all star weekend please like and share page

https://www.facebook.com/Bring-NBA-All-Star-weekend-To-Memphis-2441984269355211/

 

[MDC26]

19 hours ago, Memphisborn said:

MSC would be ideal for the celebrity game. There will be a RFP come out soon for coliseum, my understanding is the plan is to reduce seating to about 5, 000 fixed seats with an additional 1500 floor seats. 6500 would be great! Liberty Park is well under construction with two hotels/ entertainment/ retail also Tobey park is in the plan to be redeveloped so u could host a celebrity softball game there. Close to Overton Square (Memphian) hotel/ entertainment right there too.  With the walk on union in the works let’s hope that gives the edge a shot in the arm for more infill maybe a KC live! Sixth st(AustinTx) type of redo/ vibe. But definitely 2026 is a realistic timeline to bid for All star weekend a lot should be completed by then. Lowes, 100N main, should be done. 

I think the 6500 capacity would be for concerts where the floor is filled with chairs.  For a basketball game, there would still be chairs added around the court, but probably not 1,500, maybe more like 500.  Hockey games capacity would be around 5,000 since a rink takes up more room that a basketball court.  

[Memphisborn]

Yes that’s about right.let’s just hope it gets redeveloped in the next two - three years. That would be a big addition and enhance our chances to host 2026 all star  along with all the other infrastructure that’s under construction. Hmm I wonder if the city has considered hosting a NBA Draft that could be a prelude to hosting all star weekend if we show we can pull that off effectively that would put a feather in our cap for all star 

[MDC26]

1 hour ago, Memphisborn said:

Yes that’s about right.let’s just hope it gets redeveloped in the next two - three years. That would be a big addition and enhance our chances to host 2026 all star  along with all the other infrastructure that’s under construction. Hmm I wonder if the city has considered hosting a NBA Draft that could be a prelude to hosting all star weekend if we show we can pull that off effectively that would put a feather in our cap for all star 

The NBA draft doesn't travel around like the All-Star game.  Since 2001, the NBA draft has been in the New York area every single year except 2020 at ESPN HQ because of COVID.  It's either been at Barclays, Prudential Center, or Madison Square Garden.  I don't think they plan on moving it out of New York.  

[MDC26]

An article in the Memphis Business Journal today said there's 49 hotel projects in the Memphis area that are planned or under construction, totaling 6,834 rooms.  15 of the projects are downtown.  155 room Aloft Hotel and 136 room Hyatt Caption are set to open this year.  The other downtown hotels that I can think of are the Grand Hyatt, Loew's, 100 N Main, 2 Intrator Pinch Hotels, the other Pinch Group Hotels (Tyson and Blues Note Hotels), Home 2 Suites, 3 Walk On Union Hotels, Beale Street Inn, and a Dream Hotel at the Royal furniture building.  There was also a hotel planned at the Leader Federal Savings and Loan Building (158 Madison) by the group that did Arrive Hotel.  Don't know if that's still in the works or not.

[Memphisborn]

2 hours ago, MDC26 said:

An article in the Memphis Business Journal today said there's 49 hotel projects in the Memphis area that are planned or under construction, totaling 6,834 rooms.  15 of the projects are downtown.  155 room Aloft Hotel and 136 room Hyatt Caption are set to open this year.  The other downtown hotels that I can think of are the Grand Hyatt, Loew's, 100 N Main, 2 Intrator Pinch Hotels, the other Pinch Group Hotels (Tyson and Blues Note Hotels), Home 2 Suites, 3 Walk On Union Hotels, Beale Street Inn, and a Dream Hotel at the Royal furniture building.  There was also a hotel planned at the Leader Federal Savings and Loan Building (158 Madison) by the group that did Arrive Hotel.  Don't know if that's still in the works or not.

That’s good news glad we are improving our hotel infrastructure. We are trending in the right direction, our convention center is nice now and we continue to add more entertainment in key sections of the city (liberty park ) inkwell cocktail bar(edge district) IMO if 901 fc selects CA site for soccer specific stadium that would help edge become that 4th major entertainment district  with bars, retail/ possibly movie theater & other lively entertainment that could be a great tourist and 360 day a year destination.  Another big plus is our airport has redesigned its concourse B 214 million dollars that will be sure to accommodate passengers flying in to all star weekend that’s huge, see video @ bottom. Waiting to hear that House of Blues will be coming to downtown / edge district area that would give us that ultra loung that NBA stars/ celebrities like to hang out in (foundation Room) can u copy paste  that MBJ article don’t have subscription 

 

Edited January 7, 2022 by Memphisborn

[MDC26]

20 hours ago, Memphisborn said:

That’s good news glad we are improving our hotel infrastructure. We are trending in the right direction, our convention center is nice now and we continue to add more entertainment in key sections of the city (liberty park ) inkwell cocktail bar(edge district) IMO if 901 fc selects CA site for soccer specific stadium that would help edge become that 4th major entertainment district  with bars, retail/ possibly movie theater & other lively entertainment that could be a great tourist and 360 day a year destination.  Another big plus is our airport has redesigned its concourse B 214 million dollars that will be sure to accommodate passengers flying in to all star weekend that’s huge, see video @ bottom. Waiting to hear that House of Blues will be coming to downtown / edge district area that would give us that ultra loung that NBA stars/ celebrities like to hang out in (foundation Room) can u copy paste  that MBJ article don’t have subscription 

 

By Corey Davis 
Reporter, Memphis Business Journal 

Jan 6, 2022

Travelers coming for overnight stays in the Memphis market will soon have even more room night options, as a number of new hotel properties are set to open in 2022.

According to Chuck Pinkowski, owner of local hospitality consulting firm Pinkowski & Co., eight properties totaling 860 rooms are projected to open this year.

 

And, even as the pandemic rocked the travel and tourism industry, another 11 hotels opened in 2020 and 2021, for a total of 1,213 rooms, Pinkowski said. 

“Those were properties in the pipeline already started or under construction, and the pandemic didn’t stop them,” Pinkowski said.

New hotels coming to area

The Memphis market hotels expected to open in 2022 include:

• 110-guest room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Memphis Arlington, at 928 Fair Springs Cove in Arlington — scheduled to open January 2022
• 90-room TownePlace Suites by Memphis Cordova, at 2220 Market Farms Drive in Cordova — scheduled to open January 2022
• 93-room Tru by Hilton, at 7235 Sleepy Hollow Drive in Southaven — scheduled to open January 2022
• 155-room Aloft by Marriott, at 161 Jefferson Ave. in Downtown Memphis — scheduled to open February 2022
• 136-room Hyatt Caption, at One Beale on Front Street in Downtown Memphis — scheduled to open February 2022
• 105-room Home2 Suites by Hilton, at Houston Levee/Hwy. 385 in Collierville — scheduled to open June 2022
• 81-room StayAPT Suites at Chickering Lane/Dexter Road in Cordova — scheduled to open October 2022
• 90-room LaQuinta Inn & Suites at I-40/Whitten Road in East Memphis — scheduled to open December 2022

A Pinkowski report shows 49 projects, with a total of 6,834 rooms, either under construction or in the planning process through 2026. Furthermore, 15 of those projects are located Downtown; 10 developments, totaling 1,033 rooms, are in the works in DeSoto County; and seven properties totaling 685 rooms are slated for East Memphis. 

Marriott is the most active brand, with 13 projects totaling 1,539 rooms in development, followed by Hilton, with nine projects and 1,111 rooms.

Of the 41 projects in the works after 2022:

• 10 are scheduled to open in 2023, representing 1,055 rooms
• 10 in 2024, with 1,197 rooms
• 6 properties in 2025, with 769 rooms 
• 1 in 2026, with 150 rooms
• 14 projects, totaling 2,601 rooms, have no scheduled opening date

Pinkowski added the caveat that not all those properties will come to fruition.

Even as the national hotel industry continues to struggle returning to pre-pandemic times, there is data that shows the Memphis market is recovering more quickly.

According to Memphis Tourism, the local market has routinely outperformed national trends in room night demand recovery. Figures through November 2021 show Shelby County hotels sold 92% of the total hotel room nights they sold prepandemic in 2019, outperforming national demand recovery by 5%.

Tourism officials said that nearly 4 million room nights were sold in Shelby County as of November 2021. In 2019, the local market registered a record-breaking 5.8 million room nights sold.

“We are not back where we were in 2019, but we aren’t far from that,” Pinkowski said. “Memphis is ahead of national performance in terms of recovery, and part of that is because we are a market of small hotels. That has been a disadvantage to us in selling conventions, because we don’t have that many big hotels. But because of this pandemic, it has been an advantage of in terms of the recovery. The cities with the big hotels are having a tough time coming back. They are dependent on the meeting business, and that’s much slower coming back. We are coming back quicker because we aren’t as dependent on group business.”

[MDC26]

20 hours ago, Memphisborn said:

That’s good news glad we are improving our hotel infrastructure. We are trending in the right direction, our convention center is nice now and we continue to add more entertainment in key sections of the city (liberty park ) inkwell cocktail bar(edge district) IMO if 901 fc selects CA site for soccer specific stadium that would help edge become that 4th major entertainment district  with bars, retail/ possibly movie theater & other lively entertainment that could be a great tourist and 360 day a year destination.  Another big plus is our airport has redesigned its concourse B 214 million dollars that will be sure to accommodate passengers flying in to all star weekend that’s huge, see video @ bottom. Waiting to hear that House of Blues will be coming to downtown / edge district area that would give us that ultra loung that NBA stars/ celebrities like to hang out in (foundation Room) can u copy paste  that MBJ article don’t have subscription 

 

House of Blues would be cool.  Especially since the co-founder is from Jackson, TN.  I think it would be nice if HOB came to Beale Street.  They could take over The New Daisy for their concert hall.  It has been closed since 2019 due to poor management.  Live Nation bought House of Blues, and Live Nation was already doing the concert scheduling/promotion for the New Daisy before it closed.  If they were to take it over, they could have the restaurant/bar next door if the police would move to a new location.  I do think it would need to be expanded though.  

[Memphisborn]

33 minutes ago, MDC26 said:

House of Blues would be cool.  Especially since the co-founder is from Jackson, TN.  I think it would be nice if HOB came to Beale Street.  They could take over The New Daisy for their concert hall.  It has been closed since 2019 due to poor management.  Live Nation bought House of Blues, and Live Nation was already doing the concert scheduling/promotion for the New Daisy before it closed.  If they were to take it over, they could have the restaurant/bar next door if the police would move to a new location.  I do think it would need to be expanded though.  

Here’s the CA article 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.commercialappeal.com/amp/2659768002

New daisy is perfect for HOB location infrastructure is already in place as far as restaurant and bar keep in mind there is daisy #2 across the street that seats 600 it could be the additional space needed. Here’s a look @ it 

http://www.mississippibluestravellers.com/daisy-theatre-329-beale-street-memphis-tennessee/

Edited January 7, 2022 by Memphisborn

[Memphisborn]

More Airport pics, our airport will certainly be ready to host NBA all star weekend.

 

https://flymemphis.com/modernization-images/

[Memphisborn]

On 1/7/2022 at 9:31 PM, Memphisborn said:

More Airport pics, our airport will certainly be ready to host NBA all star weekend.

 

https://flymemphis.com/modernization-images/

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.commercialappeal.com/amp/6874087001
 

CA Article on why it makes sense to pursue NBA All star Weekend 

[TheKernel91]

1 hour ago, Memphisborn said:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.commercialappeal.com/amp/6874087001
 

CA Article on why it makes sense to pursue NBA All star Weekend 

The paywall is blocking it. Can you touch on some points they made, or copy and paste it?

[Memphisborn]

6 minutes ago, TheKernel91 said:

The paywall is blocking it. Can you touch on some points they made, or copy and paste it?

Sorry. Here’s a summary 

 

Like Memphis, Salt Lake and Indianapolis rank among the bottom-third in the NBA in market size. But that's not the chief concern when selecting an All-Star Game host. 

So what will it take to make Memphis an All-Star destination? Doing so is easier said than done.

When FedExForum was first built as the Grizzlies' home arena, it was in consideration to host an All-Star game, but the NBA wanted at least 5,000 hotel rooms in the downtown area solely for league officials. Memphis couldn't meet that requirement, so it offered shuttles from Tunica, Mississippi, to offset the shortages. Memphis didn't get the All-Star bid. 

Memphis still falls short of the NBA's requirement in downtown with a downtown hotel capacity of 3,500 to 4,000 rooms. The league would want additional large full-service hotels like the Peabody and Sheraton, and other All-Star cities have displayed these in larger numbers. Sacramento and Oklahoma City are other cities that have faced similar issues as Memphis landing the game. 

The article points out Kevin Kane and others are excited about the possibility of pursuing all star weekend. 2026 is the next available date for a city to host, I believe by then we should have 5,000-6,000 room capacity in the downtown area, also liberty park should be completed by then as well as the waterfront district cruise ship passengers, 100N main, and hopefully civic plaza will have a large hotel in place. The future looks bright for us to host by 2026

[Memphisborn]

https://m.facebook.com/Bring-NBA-All-Star-weekend-To-Memphis-2441984269355211/

[MDC26]

1 hour ago, Memphisborn said:

Sorry. Here’s a summary 

 

Like Memphis, Salt Lake and Indianapolis rank among the bottom-third in the NBA in market size. But that's not the chief concern when selecting an All-Star Game host. 

So what will it take to make Memphis an All-Star destination? Doing so is easier said than done.

When FedExForum was first built as the Grizzlies' home arena, it was in consideration to host an All-Star game, but the NBA wanted at least 5,000 hotel rooms in the downtown area solely for league officials. Memphis couldn't meet that requirement, so it offered shuttles from Tunica, Mississippi, to offset the shortages. Memphis didn't get the All-Star bid. 

Memphis still falls short of the NBA's requirement in downtown with a downtown hotel capacity of 3,500 to 4,000 rooms. The league would want additional large full-service hotels like the Peabody and Sheraton, and other All-Star cities have displayed these in larger numbers. Sacramento and Oklahoma City are other cities that have faced similar issues as Memphis landing the game. 

The article points out Kevin Kane and others are excited about the possibility of pursuing all star weekend. 2026 is the next available date for a city to host, I believe by then we should have 5,000-6,000 room capacity in the downtown area, also liberty park should be completed by then as well as the waterfront district cruise ship passengers, 100N main, and hopefully civic plaza will have a large hotel in place. The future looks bright for us to host by 2026

Edit:  I missed the last row of hotels in my previous count

Currently we are at  3,936 hotels in downtown.  The Aloft Hotel and Hyatt Caption will open soon, and the Grand Hyatt is under construction.  That should push it over 4,500.  There's additional 10 or so hotels in varying levels of planning.  All of those won't come to fruition, but we should be well over 5,000 come 2026 All-Star weekend.  

Edited February 25, 2022 by MDC26

[Memphisborn]

59 minutes ago, MDC26 said:

Edit:  I missed the last row of hotels in my previous count

Currently we are at  3,936 hotels in downtown.  The Aloft Hotel and Hyatt Caption will open soon, and the Grand Hyatt is under construction.  That should push it over 4,500.  There's additional 10 or so hotels in varying levels of planning.  All of those won't come to fruition, but we should be well over 5,000 come 2026 All-Star weekend.  

Yes exactly I agree, also great entertainment connected to FedEx forum (Beale st) footsteps away, along with Overton square as another entertainment option. I believe Memphis can really put on for all star weekend and rival other cities with what we have to offer, I plan to go to Neworleans next year for all star weekend to see what a city has to do to put on a great all star weekend. 

Edited February 25, 2022 by Memphisborn

[TheKernel91]

Successfully hosting All Star weekend should help Memphis tourism. Memphis still have alot of potential to fill in that department. We haven't peaked yet when it comes to comparison with other cities with known entertainment districts and party/club culture in their Downtowns with constant action going. Downtown bringing in more high end hotels will set the tone and opportunities for more people to "discover" Memphis, and bring more options around.

Edited February 25, 2022 by TheKernel91

[DRG901]

3 hours ago, Memphisborn said:

Yes exactly I agree, also great entertainment connected to FedEx forum (Beale st) footsteps away, along with Overton square as another entertainment option. I believe Memphis can really put on for all star weekend and rival other cities with what we have to offer, I plan to go to Neworleans next year for all star weekend to see what a city has to do to put on a great all star weekend. 

I think we'll get it eventually for sure, also as far as partying/putting on a show Memphis did a great job with ESPN Game Day in 2019... was awesome and a perfect set up on Beale.  No doubt the All Star Game would be a huge hit too.

[Memphisborn]

57 minutes ago, DRG901 said:

I think we'll get it eventually for sure, also as far as partying/putting on a show Memphis did a great job with ESPN Game Day in 2019... was awesome and a perfect set up on Beale.  No doubt the All Star Game would be a huge hit too.

Yea we put on for game day I would expect even better for all star.  As we continue to build up our infrastructure downtown we will definitely draw more major events.  

[James Owen]

11 hours ago, MDC26 said:

Edit:  I missed the last row of hotels in my previous count

Currently we are at  3,936 hotels in downtown.  The Aloft Hotel and Hyatt Caption will open soon, and the Grand Hyatt is under construction.  That should push it over 4,500.  There's additional 10 or so hotels in varying levels of planning.  All of those won't come to fruition, but we should be well over 5,000 come 2026 All-Star weekend.  

The two hotels being planned as part of The Walk on Union (Embassy Suites & Tempo) and the Dream Hotel (former Royal Furniture building on Main) combined - should they all be built - would put the number just above 5,000. However, downtown would still need to lure a couple more large, full-service hotels like the Grand Hyatt to be competitive, IMO, and can't solely rely on a bunch of boutique and limited-service ones popping up just to meet that minimum threshold.