Sneakers and basketball are so closely aligned that it’s no surprise that NBA All-Star Weekend has become its own “sneaker holiday” of sorts. And each year, it’s only getting bigger. To help navigate this year’s busy landscape in Toronto, we’ve organized sneaker highlights of the weekend.
What To Check Out
Whether you’re a Toronto local, or making the trek north of the border, there will be no shortage of events to attend and places to shop during All-Star Weekend.
1.
Sneakers and basketball are so closely aligned that it’s no surprise that NBA All-Star Weekend has become its own “sneaker holiday” of sorts. And each year, it’s only getting bigger. To help navigate this year’s busy landscape in Toronto, we’ve organized sneaker highlights of the weekend.
What To Check Out
Whether you’re a Toronto local, or making the trek north of the border, there will be no shortage of events to attend and places to shop during All-Star Weekend.
2.
Name: SNKRS XPRESS
Location: 277 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON
When: Open daily throughout All-Star Weekend
Nike and Jordan Brand’s pop-up shop will offer Nike+ members a chance to buy the Air Force 1 Flyknit, Air Jordan XXX, Jordan Cement IV, Kobe 11 Royalty as well as surprise releases. There will also be SNKRS XPRESS locations in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City.
3.
Name: 306 Yonge
Location: 306 Yonge St., Toronto, ON
When: Open daily throughout All-Star Weekend
A Jordan Brand-only shop (the first in Canada) which, along with footwear and apparel offerings, will also feature the Jordan Standard—an interactive activity where participants can measure speed, control, agility, endurance and focus.
4.
Name: NIKEiD Loft
Location: 548 Richmond St. West, Toronto, ON
When: Open daily throughout All-Star Weekend
Customize Nike’s top signature basketball models with exclusive All-Star color schemes and materials.
5.
Name: Jordan Brand Invitational
Location: Mattamy Center, 50 Carlton St., Toronto, ON
When: Thursday, Feb. 4, 6pm
Watch elite prep players face off in Jordan Brand’s inaugural Jordan Brand Invitational on Thursday, Feb. 4. The space will also serve as venue for fans to participate in training sessions and interact with Jordan Brand athletes throughout the weekend.
6.
Name: Under Armour’s Day of Interactive Basketball Experiences
Location: 3401 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON
When: Friday, Feb. 12, 10am-9pm
Following a day of interactive activities, including youth clinics and a 180-degree photo booth, fans will be able to participate in a Q & A with Stephen Curry beginning at 6:45.
7.
Name: Bata Shoe Museum
Location: 327 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON
When: Open daily throughout All-Star Weekend
The Museum that made the Out of the Box sneaker exhibit a reality calls Toronto home. While the exhibit is now traveling, you can still check out their collection of footwear showcasing the historic and cultural importance of shoes.
8.
Name: Livestock
Location: 406 Roncesvalles Ave Toronto, ON & 116 Spadina Ave Unit G1 Toronto, ON
When: Open daily throughout All-Star Weekend
Canada’s premier streetwear spot has grown to the point where they’re now even doing partner stores with Nike, like their current AF1 pop-up shop.
9.
Name: Haven
Location: 145 Berkeley St, Toronto, ON
When: Open daily throughout All-Star Weekend
An upscale street fashion shop, offering anything from Yeezys, to Visvim, to Hender Scheme.
10.
Name: Capsule
Location: #104 - 69 Yorkville Ave, Toronto, ON & #108 - 29 Bellair St., Toronto, ON
When: Open daily throughout All-Star Weekend
This premier Canadian boutique will be launching its Reebok Question collaboration during All-Star Weekend.
Where To Eat
Any time you're in a new city, it may be tempting to find familiar and comfortable spots to eat at. But if you do that, you’re missing out on the chance to enjoy new and exciting cuisine. To get a local insight on the best spots, we asked Livestock's Brendan Denault for his top choices.
11.
Name: Parts & Labour
Location: 1566 Queen St W, Toronto, ON
Vice Canada's Matty Matheson's spot. Great spot, great food. Matty is generous host, and the basement turns into dope club in the evenings.
12.
Name: 416 Snack Bar
Location: 1034 Queen St W, Toronto, ON
T.O staple for the cool crowd where you will hear the latest hip-hop, and you can sip on an 'Air Force One.’
13.
Name: Apartment 200
Location: 1034 Queen St W, Toronto, ON
A trendy club where on any given day you can find celebs (local and international) kicking it with the locals.
14.
Name: La Cubana
Location: 392 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, ON
Great cuban sandwiches and right next door to Livestock's Roncy location.
15.
Name: Dirty Bird Chicken + Waffle
Location: 79 Kensington Ave, Toronto, ON
Some would argue the best chicken and waffles out there.
What To Watch
Even if you can’t make it to Toronto for All-Star Weekend, there are still plenty of events you can take in from the comfort of your own living room.
16.
Event: NBA All-Star Celebrity Game
Date: 2/12
Time: 7pm
Channel: ESPN
Head coaches Drake and Kevin Hart face off in this celebrity exhibition game.
17.
Event: Rising Stars Challenge
Date: 2/12
Time: 9pm
Channel: TNT
Rookie and sophomore NBA players match up in a U.S.A. vs. world team format.
18.
Event: Skills Challenge
Date: 2/13
Time: 8pm
Channel: ESPN
DeMarcus Cousins, Draymond Green, and defending champion Patrick Beverley highlight a field of 8 participants that will compete to show off their dribbling, passing and agility skills.
19.
Event: Three-Point Contest
Date: 2/13
Time: Following the Skills Challenge
Channel: TNT
Stephen Curry defends his three-point crown against teammate Klay Thompson, James Harden, and five other NBA stars.
20.
Event: Slam Dunk Contest
Date: 2/13
Time: Following the Three-Point Contest
Channel: ESPN
The centerpiece of All-Star Saturday Night will see last year’s champ Zach LaVine challenged by Aaron Gordon, Will Barton and Andre Drummond.
21.
Event: NBA All-Star Game
Date: 2/14
Time: 8:30pm
Channel: TNT
Leading vote-getter Kobe Bryant takes the All-Star court one final time as he leads the West to a showdown against the top stars of the East.
What to Buy
All-Star Weekend is one of the biggest launches of the year when it comes to sneakers. Below you'll find a listing of All-Star themed sneakers, as well as other key releases for the weekend.