A custom full-size basketball court in the middle of Indianapolis International Airport is ready to welcome fans from near and far for next month’s…see more #WNBAAIIStar2025

A custom full-size basketball court in the middle of Indianapolis International Airport is ready to welcome fans from near and far for next month’s historic celebration of basketball. It’s not just a temporary marketing gimmick—it’s a bold, unmistakable symbol of how deep the love of the game runs in Indiana, a state that has produced legends, cultivated hoop dreams, and embraced basketball as a cultural pillar. As the excitement builds for next month’s All-Star events, tournaments, and celebrations, this court is already becoming a destination in itself.

The court, installed right in the airport’s Civic Plaza—an open space that connects travelers to terminals and amenities—was unveiled with much fanfare. Gleaming hardwood, regulation dimensions, and bright LED scoreboards give it the feel of a real NBA-ready venue. But the location is what truly sets it apart. It’s not in a stadium, not in a gym, but right in the heart of the city’s transportation hub. For travelers stepping off a red-eye flight or waiting for a delayed connection, it’s impossible to miss. And that’s the point.

This bold move is part of a larger push by the city to embrace its identity as a basketball capital. With Indianapolis hosting next month’s major basketball extravaganza, including the NBA All-Star Weekend, the NCAA fan events, and the Youth Hoops Celebration, the city wanted to create a statement that would set the tone the moment visitors set foot on Indiana soil. The airport court does just that. It’s a photo op. It’s a spectacle. It’s a message: “You’ve landed in basketball country.”

Beyond the aesthetics, the court is fully functional. Over the coming weeks, the space will host community free throw competitions, youth showcases, celebrity shootouts, and even appearances by former pro players. Local high school teams have been invited to play friendly exhibitions for travelers, while dance teams and marching bands will occasionally perform, turning Civic Plaza into a stage for Indiana’s vibrant basketball culture.

Travelers have already taken to social media, posting selfies and videos of spontaneous pickup games or solo shootarounds. One video of a father and his daughter taking turns draining threes in their dress shoes has already gone viral, gathering millions of views and being shared by ESPN and other major outlets. The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising Indianapolis for embracing creativity and community.

Behind this ambitious installation is a collaboration between Visit Indy, the Indianapolis Airport Authority, and the Indiana Sports Corp. All three organizations saw the opportunity to merge the city’s passion with its reputation for hospitality and innovation. Executives explained that it took months of planning, engineering, and logistical coordination to bring the court to life. From floor support and structural safety to lighting and sound, nothing was left to chance. Even the basketball goals were custom-designed to retract and adjust for different events and age groups.

Security concerns were addressed early in the process. While the court is accessible to all passengers, it’s positioned in a way that doesn’t interfere with TSA screening zones or pedestrian traffic. Airport staff monitor activity, ensuring that the court remains safe, clean, and open for engagement. It’s part art installation, part civic celebration, part sporting venue—and it works.

One airport employee, Sharon Miller, has worked in Civic Plaza for nearly a decade. She said she’s never seen so much joy in one place. “It’s like March Madness came early,” she laughed, pointing to a group of teenagers doing trick shots near the terminal entrance. “This isn’t just good for the airport, it’s good for the city. People are smiling more. Strangers are connecting over basketball. You don’t see that in most airports.”

Local businesses have also seized the moment. Pop-up merchandise stands now line the perimeter, selling limited-edition basketball gear featuring local team logos, airport-themed slogans like “Layover Layups,” and custom jerseys with area codes as numbers. Food vendors have introduced basketball-themed menus, with dishes like “Full Court Press Pizza” and “Fast Break Nachos” drawing crowds.

What’s more, the airport court is being tied into a city-wide scavenger hunt sponsored by local sports media, where fans can scan QR codes at various basketball-themed locations to win tickets, memorabilia, and meet-and-greet passes with players. The Civic Plaza court serves as the first stop on the map, ensuring every basketball-loving visitor starts their adventure here.

This isn’t the first time Indianapolis has leaned into its basketball identity, but it may be the most audacious. From Hoosiers to Hinkle Fieldhouse, the Pacers to the Fever, and high school gymnasiums packed with thousands, basketball is in Indiana’s blood. What sets this moment apart is how the game has been blended with civic infrastructure in such an intentional and public-facing way.

The timing couldn’t be better. The upcoming month will bring an influx of fans, media, and athletes to the city. Hotels are already booked, restaurants are preparing for record nights, and the downtown area has been draped in banners and murals. But while the arena will be the epicenter of official games and festivities, the airport court may very well be the first memory visitors take home with them—a memory of a city that rolls out the hardwood as much as the red carpet.

Even kids who’ve never traveled before are now asking parents to take them to the airport just to see the court. Teachers are planning field trips around it. Entire families are showing up hours before flights to get their moment under the bright lights. One boy, no more than nine years old, was recently spotted mimicking his favorite player’s signature step-back on the court, his carry-on bag just a few feet away.

Organizers say the court will stay active through the month’s end, possibly longer if public enthusiasm continues. There’s talk of making it a seasonal feature—reviving it during March Madness or during Pacers playoff runs. For now, it remains a unique spectacle, a blend of sport and space rarely seen anywhere in the world.

In a time when airports are often seen as stressful waypoints, filled with long lines and short tempers, Indianapolis International has flipped the script. It’s become a destination in its own right, not just a layover but a layup. The court is more than wood and paint—it’s a canvas for storytelling, pride, and shared experience.

Whether you’re flying in for the All-Star Game or just passing through, the message is clear. In Indianapolis, basketball isn’t just a game—it’s a welcome home sign, a community language, and now, a reason to pause at Gate 17 and shoot your shot.