2012 NBA All-Star Game to be in Orlando

• Tweet

ORLANDO, Fla., May 4 (UPI) -- The 2012 NBA All-Star Game will be contested in the new arena in Orlando, Fla., the league said Tuesday.

The NBA said the weekend of events would include the game played Feb. 26, 2012, a day after the 3-point and dunk contests.

"As a premier entertainment destination with a new, state-of-the-art arena and a wide array of hospitality options, Orlando is an obvious and compelling choice to host this celebration of our game," NBA Commissioner David Stern said in a release.

The Orlando Magic will move into the new 18,500-seat Amway Center in October. The facility, which can be modified to seat 20,000, cost $480 million.

The 2012 All-Star Game will be the second the NBA will have played in Orlando. The 1992 game was also played there.

Next year's All-Star Game will be played at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.