The league's biggest weekend lands downtown in the last week of Black History Month. Oddusee Phoenix is your guide to all three days — and to putting the weekend's money into Black-owned Phoenix.
From Friday, February 19 through Sunday, February 21, 2027, the NBA's All-Star Weekend takes over downtown Phoenix — Rising Stars on Friday, All-Star Saturday Night on Saturday, and the All-Star Game itself on Sunday the 21st at the Suns' downtown arena, now called Mortgage Matchup Center and still known to most of the Valley as Footprint Center.
It is Phoenix's third All-Star Game, after 1975 at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum and 2009 at the same downtown building under a different name. And it lands in the final week of Black History Month, with more than a hundred thousand visitors looking for somewhere to eat, drink, dance and shop.
Oddusee Phoenix built this page so that money has somewhere Black to land. Everything on the map below is a real, currently operating Valley business, sorted by how far it sits from the arena — walkable, one light rail stop, a short ride, or worth the drive.
| Event | NBA All-Star 2027 |
| Dates | Friday–Sunday, February 19–21, 2027 |
| All-Star Game | Sunday, February 21, 2027 — evening, exact tip time TBA |
| Venue | Mortgage Matchup Center (formerly Footprint Center) |
| Address | 201 E Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 |
| Capacity | ~17,000 |
| Getting There | Valley Metro Rail stops at the door — Washington/Central Ave and Jefferson/1st Ave |
| Tickets | Official NBA All-Star page |
Every pin is a Black-owned Valley business, ringed by distance from Mortgage Matchup Center. Gold pins are the spots we are promoting. Filter by what you're looking for, or get your own business on the map.
Soul food houses that predate the arena, Ethiopian and Caribbean kitchens, barbecue pits and modern rooms — sorted by how far they sit from Mortgage Matchup Center.
One of Phoenix's oldest and most cherished Black-owned restaurants, serving classic soul food downtown since 1964. Generations have eaten here, and it is a five-minute walk from the arena.
View Listing →A Phoenix original. Larry “Lo-Lo” White grew a single Central Avenue counter into the Valley's best-known Black-owned soul food house. Chicken, waffles, and sides that built the reputation.
View Listing →Nashville-style hot chicken two blocks from the arena — crispy, spice-dialed tenders and sandwiches from mild to blazing. The closest sit-down plate to the building.
View Listing →The nearest Black-owned kitchen to the arena, on East Washington. Wings, tenders and comfort sides done right — the move before tip-off.
View Listing →A modern downtown kitchen drawing on African, Caribbean and Southern traditions in one stylish room. The dressed-up option inside the walkable ring.
View Listing →Chicago-style home cooking near Roosevelt Row — fried chicken, jerk salmon, smothered turkey wings and made-from-scratch sides.
View Listing →Inventive, modern Mexican on Grand Avenue rooted in bold flavors and local ingredients. One of the most talked-about Black-owned kitchens in the city.
View Listing →Elevated brunch and comfort food on Roosevelt Row. The Saturday and Sunday morning answer before a long All-Star night.
View Listing →A Phoenix institution since 1986, slow-smoking Tennessee-style ribs, brisket and pulled pork. The counter is famous for a reason.
View Listing →Bold, meat-free takes on Southern comfort classics in south Phoenix — the plant-based plate that still eats like soul food.
View Listing →Cajun-Creole and soul food just north of downtown — fried chicken, seafood and Louisiana-style plates.
View Listing →Hearty Southern soul food rooted in African American culinary tradition — fried chicken, collard greens and the full plate.
View Listing →Ethiopian and East African cooking from Anduale Hassan and Elsabet Tiruneh — injera platters, spiced stews and vegetarian combinations.
View Listing →Traditional injera platters, spicy stews and hearty vegetarian combinations on the east side. Order a combination plate and share it.
View Listing →Ribs, brisket and classic sides, with dine-in, catering and private events — a solid pick if you are hosting during the weekend.
View Listing →Family-run barbecue and soul food — smoked ribs, fried catfish, chicken and classic sides with a loyal following.
View Listing →Neighborhood comfort plates in south Phoenix that taste like home cooking. Unfussy and consistent.
View Listing →Comfort food cooked fresh to order and seasoned with love — a south Phoenix favorite.
View Listing →Chicken and waffles, breakfast plates and midday comfort food with a warm, family feel out in Laveen.
View Listing →Jerk, curry and Caribbean staples alongside a small market of island goods.
View Listing →Island cooking — jerk, curry and seafood — with cocktails and a laid-back bar in the East Valley.
View Listing →Ribs, brisket and wings smoked in Tempe, with soul food sides that built the name.
View Listing →Family-run Southern barbecue slow-smoking meats and serving homestyle sides since 2011.
View Listing →Chef Nik Fields' downtown coffee shop, sourcing beans from women farmers. Espresso, drip and pastries, a two-minute walk from the arena.
View Listing →Espresso, matcha and specialty drinks in a welcoming, art-filled room that doubles as a neighborhood hub.
View Listing →Liquor-infused ice cream and cocktails in one room on North Central, owned by Tamika Wooten and Dominika Cheatham.
View Listing →A downtown sweet shop stocked with candy, chocolates and nostalgic treats, a block off Adams.
View Listing →Vegan and better-for-you desserts — cakes, cookies and sweet breads made without dairy or eggs, plus custom orders.
View Listing →Cupcakes, cakes and made-from-scratch sweet treats — the go-to for celebrations.
View Listing →Cakes, cupcakes and pastries including gluten-free options, with custom orders for weddings and events.
View Listing →Handmade pastries with Sonoran flavors — a local spin on cakes, tarts and sweets.
View Listing →Cold-pressed juices, smoothies and acai bowls — the reset button on Sunday morning.
View Listing →A laid-back neighborhood coffee and tea house for espresso, specialty teas and light bites.
View Listing →Lounges, live music, taprooms and late-night rooms across the Valley — plus the venue to book if you are throwing your own All-Star event.
Food, cocktails, sports and a night-out vibe on South Central Avenue — the closest full lounge to the arena.
View Listing →A self-pour taproom pouring craft beer, wine and cocktails on tap. Pour your own and keep moving.
View Listing →Globally-inspired plates and craft cocktails on Roosevelt Row — the grown-and-sexy end of downtown.
View Listing →A late-night Central Avenue lounge for cocktails, food, hookah and live vibes.
View Listing →Named for Bobby Womack — a stylish bar and live venue for funk, soul, DJs and live sets.
View Listing →A longtime South Phoenix hangout — neighborhood bar, live music and a loyal crowd.
View Listing →An approachable wine bar from Food Network personality Nik Fields, on North Central Avenue.
View Listing →Live blues and jazz Thursday through Sunday — the home of the Valley's soul and jazz scene.
View Listing →A Black-owned craft brewery founded by two homebrewers, pouring house-made beers in a welcoming taproom.
View Listing →Fine-dining supper club in Chandler — steaks, seasonal plates, craft cocktails and a classic, elevated night.
View Listing →Live soul music with food and drinks in a relaxed Ahwatukee setting, Thursday through Sunday.
View Listing →Hip-hop, soul and dancehall nights in Scottsdale, with bottle service and the occasional celebrity drop-in.
View Listing →Jerk chicken, oxtail, curry goat and island classics with a full bar. A second room sits out in Goodyear.
View Listing →A 15,000-square-foot warehouse venue downtown with a 400-capacity hall, smaller rooms, a podcast studio and a patio — the room to book for an All-Star event.
View Listing →A non-alcoholic night cafe and lounge from Aniessa Wong and Gail Elbourne — open mics, artist showcases, poetry, dance classes and game nights.
View Listing →Bookstores, vintage, streetwear, hat shops, galleries, beauty supply and African and Caribbean grocers — most of them inside the walkable ring.
An independent Black bookstore and juice bar specializing in socio-political literature — and one of downtown's real community hubs.
View Listing →Home of the Buy Black Marketplace, one of Phoenix's largest gatherings of Black-owned vendors, in the historic Eastlake community.
View Listing →A crystal shop, apothecary and botanica on Roosevelt Row — crystals, candles and ritual goods.
View Listing →Quality straw and felt hats with custom shaping and styling. Walk out with a signature look for the weekend.
View Listing →Curated secondhand and streetwear downtown with a small cafe counter attached — the closest shop to the arena.
View Listing →Curated vintage and secondhand clothing on East Washington, minutes from the building.
View Listing →Handpicked used clothing and accessories, styled more like a boutique than a thrift store.
View Listing →A Roosevelt Row apparel maker producing custom athletic and competition swimwear, plus team gear.
View Listing →A fashion studio and education program downtown teaching pattern making, sewing and garment construction.
View Listing →Custom garment design, wardrobe consulting and closet styling — book ahead if you want a fit for the weekend.
View Listing →A gallery and event space showing work by Black artists, with rotating exhibitions and work for sale.
View Listing →A neon and light-art studio downtown designing and fabricating custom signs and illuminated pieces.
View Listing →Men's and women's fashion stocking custom in-house brands alongside commercial labels.
View Listing →Living room, bedroom and dining sets plus mattresses — a west-side Black-owned furniture store.
View Listing →Hair and beauty products for textured hair, on East Indian School Road.
View Listing →Ethiopian and African spices, grains and pantry goods — berbere, mitmita, teff and injera.
View Listing →African and international groceries, produce and household goods.
View Listing →West and East African staples — flours, dried fish, spices, palm oil and frozen produce.
View Listing →Caribbean groceries, island goods and beauty supplies under one roof.
View Listing →The history sits right next to the arena. Phoenix's Black downtown — the schools, the churches, the lodge, the Green Book inn — is almost all within a mile of where the All-Star Game is played.
Phoenix's segregated-era Black high school, saved from demolition and reopened as a museum and cultural center. It is the single closest cultural stop to the arena — go before the game.
View Listing →The heart of historic Black Phoenix — the gathering place for generations of speeches, celebrations and organizing on the east side of downtown.
View Listing →Founded in 1970, one of the country's longest-running Black theatre companies, in its own downtown playhouse.
View Listing →A cornerstone of Black Phoenix since the 1880s and a civil-rights meeting ground — Dr. King spoke from this pulpit.
View Listing →The Green Book-era lodging house where Black travelers and touring performers stayed when Phoenix hotels turned them away.
View Listing →A surviving piece of the segregated school system, named for the educator and civil-rights leader.
View Listing →Built for Black students under segregation and named for the poet — a short walk from the arena.
View Listing →A Black fraternal lodge that anchored social life downtown for decades.
View Listing →Classes for all levels in a welcoming downtown studio — the recovery plan after a long night.
View Listing →Straight talk: we have not been able to verify a currently operating Black-owned hotel in downtown Phoenix. Rather than pad this section, here is what we do know — and an open invitation.
Downtown hotels around the Convention Center and Copper Square put you within a ten-minute walk of the arena. Anything on the Valley Metro Rail line between midtown and Tempe works almost as well, and costs less.
All-Star weekend rates surge and multi-night minimums are normal. Lock in refundable rates now and re-check in the fall — inventory opens up once blocks are released.
Before 1964, Black visitors to Phoenix stayed at the Swindall Tourist Inn in Eastlake, one of the few Green Book listings in the city. It still stands. It is worth seeing on your way in.
If you run a Black-owned hotel, bed and breakfast, or short-term rental in the Valley, submit it below. We will verify it and put it on this map before the weekend.
All-Star ticketing is run by the NBA and the Suns, not by us. Here is how it generally works, and what has not been announced yet.
All-Star tickets are released through the NBA and the host team, usually as weekend packages and through season-ticket-holder priority before any general sale. Watch the official All-Star page and the Suns' own announcements.
Most fans end up on verified resale. Prices for All-Star Sunday run high and move fast. Anything priced well below the market is a red flag.
All-Star weekends normally include a multi-day fan festival at the host city's convention center along with free and low-cost community events. Phoenix's lineup and venues have not been announced. We will post them here as they are confirmed.
Most people in the Valley that weekend will never set foot in the arena, and that is fine. Every lounge and sports bar above will have it on. Spend the ticket money on a table instead.
Mortgage Matchup Center
(formerly Footprint Center)
201 E Jefferson St
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Valley Metro Rail stops at the door — Washington/Central Ave and Jefferson/1st Ave. The line runs midtown to Tempe and Mesa, which is how most of the Valley should move that weekend. Rideshare surges and downtown parking sells out.
Promoted spots sit on top of the map in gold, with a featured strip above it, for the whole run-up to the weekend. Open to Black-owned Valley businesses — restaurants, lounges, shops, services and event venues.
Three days, one downtown, and a Valley full of Black-owned kitchens, lounges, shops and culture. Plan the weekend around them.