It’s official: Chicago will host the 2020 NBA All-Star Game

NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced today that Chicago will play host to the 2020 All-Star Game.

It will be the third time the NBA has held the game in Chicago, but the first time the game will be at the United Center. Chicago Stadium played host to games in 1973 and 1988.

“The Bulls are incredibly honored,” president Michael Reinsdorf said.

Reinsdorf referred to his father, chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, who was not at the announcement and has long opposed hosting another All-Star Game. “They’d have to force me to take the All-Star game,” Jerry Reinsdorf has said. The younger Reinsdorf credited his son, Joey, with campaigning for another game.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said he was a frequent caller to the NBA commissioner lobbying for Chicago.

In 1988, Michael Jordan dominated the weekend, not only winning the game’s MVP, but also beating Dominique Wilkins in one of the more memorable dunk contests of all time.

Silver remembered attending the game while he was in law school at the University of Chicago. ‘‘It was a great event then. I have fond memories of it then. I was sitting way up in the rafters. I look forward to better seats next time.’’

While the rebuilding Bulls might not have sure-fire All-Star for the game at this point, two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion Zach LaVine will have another chance to show off his skills.

The NBA will bring more than just the game to the city. They will plan a week’s worth of events that will utilize various local venues including Wintrust Arena and Navy Pier.

The 2018 All-Star game will be Feb. 18 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The 2019 game will be in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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