The 2026 NBA All-Star Game changes things up with plans to go international. Team USA on the one side playing against the best international players, the increase in competition makes it all fun for the NBA. It’s no secret how the NBA has interest in international endeavours, so this route is one they took interest in after the growth in global interest. Set to play during the Winter Olympics, here is everything about the format change and structure of the 2026 NBA All-Star Games.
Team United States against the rest of the world: the new format
Bringing in an international twist to the All-Star Games, the NBA has changed the format of the how the games are to play out. The NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver and the NBA’s president of league operations, Byron Spruell have mentioned that the NBA is discussing the change of the current All-Star game format and the competition taking place next season.
As said by Adam Silver to The Athletic, “Our All-Star Game will return to NBC next season in the middle of their coverage of the Winter Olympics … Given the strong interest we’ve seen in international basketball competitions, most recently in last summer’s Olympics in Paris, we’re discussing concepts with the players association that focus on NBA players representing their countries or regions instead of the more traditional formats that we’ve used in the past.”
Spruell told The Associated Press that “formats that lean into this idea of international play, to some extent leaning a little bit on this idea of U.S. versus rest of the world… Looking to do something new and different yet again, but excited about the possibility.” After careful consideration, Adam Silver finds the 4 Nations Face-Off set up of a mini tournament a better idea that the NBA should incorporate.
2026 All-Star Games: details to know
Set to take place in Los Angeles at the Intuit Dome, which is the home of the LA Clippers, the All-Star is scheduled for the 15th of February 2026. For those joining from their screens, the NBC will be airing the game on the Sunday afternoon start time, which makes space for commentary of the game prep, the Winter Olympics which take place from the 6th of February to the 22nd and finally, the game.
Confirming the details, the NBA commissioner, Adam Silver said, “We’ll be competing in the arena at Intuit, where the basketball competition will take place in the 2028 Olympics … So I think all of those factors, when they come together, it presents an enormous opportunity for us to do something with an international competition instead of the traditional All-Star formats that we’ve used”.
Continuing the momentum for a global showcase of the NBA, the combined schedule of the games and the Olympics are ones the NBA has taken into consideration. NBA star players including, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama and Draymond Green have showed their support and excitement for the upcoming All-Star Game weekend.
The NBA All-Star and its Alumni
American players in the NBA are dominating with 70% for the NBA All-Star award winnings. While this makes sense due to most NBA players being America, the league wishes to create diversity in their alumni and this new format fosters that. Already marking the diversity roster, players like Nikola Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander and Antetokounmpo have represented global talent.
The NBA’s annual exhibition basketball game recognizes top basketball players with competitions such the Slam Dunk Contest and the Three-Point Contest. From previously featuring Eastern Conference vs Western Conference, then captains bringing on players regardless of which conference they are a part of, this event has changed quite a lot.
The current season was a tournament-based format with the winners being Shaq’s OGs and the rising MVP, Stephen Curry. Milwaukee Bucks’ Damian Lillard rose as the MVP of the 2024 NBA All-Stars games with Team East taking the cup with 211-186 over Team West. Team Giannis defeated Team LeBron with 184-175 points in 2023, and the MVP was Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum. Currently holding the most All-Star selections is LeBron James with 21 times.
The 2026 NBA All-Star Games are more than just a change in format but show a reflection of the NBA’s global growth and interest in a variety of international players. International players look for opportunities to be noticed by big leagues such as the NBA, so having the Team USA vs Team world set up feels natural. Scheduled to play during the Winter Olympics, the timing is impeccable as this allows for more recognition from sports analysts and fans. With support from multiple NBA players, the games mark an extended global presence by the NBA.
