For the first time ever, the NBA All-Star Game will feature Team USA vs. Team World in 2026, NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced on Wednesday.
The alteration comes after several years of underwhelming All-Star Games, including multiple changes in format, most recently involving a four-team bracket with games played to 40.
With international talent as deep as it’s ever been, Team World will likely come into the game with a deeper roster than the U.S.
The 2026 Winter Olympics, which will not feature basketball, will serve as a “lead in,” said Silver, to the new All-Star Game which takes place in mid-February each year.
The change in format also comes after the huge success of the NHL’s 4-Nations Faceoff, which debuted in 2025, and saw the United States and Canada put their best foot forward for nothing more than national pride and bragging rights.
If the new NBA All-Star Game can channel that same emotion from players and fans, it should be a hit.
The exact format of the game is not yet determined, Silver said.
NBA All-Star Game 2026 date
The NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
The 2026 edition will mark the 75th edition of the All-Star Game.
NBA All-Star Game 2026 format
Once again, the format of the NBA All-Star Game will change in 2026.
While the exact format of the game is not yet determined, the two teams facing off will be Team USA vs. Team World.
Team USA will likely feature American-born stars such as LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Anthony Edwards and more, while Team World can boast a stacked roster including Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic and more.
This change comes a year after the NBA adopted a four-team bracket featuring three All-Star teams and a Rising Stars team, with games played to 40.
NBA All-Star Game 2026 location and venue
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game will take place in Los Angeles, California at the Intuit Dome, the brand new home arena of the Los Angeles Clippers.
2026 will mark the record seventh time Los Angeles plays host to the NBA All-Star Game, with previous editions coming in 1963, 1972, 1983, 2004, 2011, and 2018.
How to watch the NBA All-Star Game, TV channel and streaming
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game will be broadcast on NBC and Telemundo (Spanish language).
NBA All-Star voting
The NBA All-Star Game starters are chosen through a combination of three votes: fans, players, and media. Fan votes count for 50 percent of the final vote, while media and players each account for 25 percent.
Fan Vote: Fans can vote for their favorite players on the NBA app or NBA.com website. They can submit one ballot per day throughout the designated voting period. Fan votes account for the largest share (50 percent) of the overall vote.
Player Vote: All active NBA players have the opportunity to submit one ballot for their All-Star picks. Their votes consider individual merit, teammate impact, and overall value to the league. Player votes contribute 25 percent of the final tally.
Media Vote: A select group of media representatives also submit one ballot for each conference. They consider various factors like player performance, statistics, and overall impact on the game. Media votes make up the remaining 25 percent of the final vote.
