The 75th NBA All-Star Game is set to deliver a big change on the annual showcase, moving to a USA vs. World format for the first time. On Sunday, February 15, 2026, the action tips off at 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT) from the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. This marks the seventh All-Star Game in the LA area and the first at the new venue.
Broadcast on NBC and streaming on Peacock, the event promises a round-robin tournament featuring three teams of eight players each: two U.S.-born squads and one international “World” team. The format includes four 12-minute games to determine the champion, inspired by events like the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off and timed with the 2026 Winter Olympics on NBC.
Here’s a stunning look at the futuristic Intuit Dome, the host venue:
2026 NBA All-Star Game New Format: USA vs. World Round-Robin
For the first time, the 2026 NBA All-Star game features a new format for fans to enjoy. Here are the details for you.
- Three teams: Two eight-player U.S. teams + one eight-player World (international) team.
- Round-robin structure: Four short 12-minute games, with teams rotating to crown a winner.
- Player selection: Starters announced January 19; full reserves revealed February 1 by coaches (with Commissioner Adam Silver filling gaps if needed to hit 16 U.S. and 8 international players).
- No traditional positional requirements.
This change aims to boost competitiveness and global appeal, spotlighting stars like Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the international charge.
2026 All-Star Starters
The 2026 NBA All-Star game starters were revealed on January 19 via NBC, based on fan (50%), player (25%), and media (25%) votes. Luka Dončić (Lakers) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks) topped overall fan votes, highlighting the international flavor. This is also the first time in a bazillion years that LeBron was not voted in as a starter.
Eastern Conference Starters:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
- Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
- Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks)
- Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons)
- Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers)
Western Conference Starters:
- Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
- Luka Dončić (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets)
- Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
Notable notes: LeBron James missed the starters list for the first time since his rookie year, and several first-timers shine through!
NBA All-Star Weekend Events
The 2026 All-Star Weekend (February 13-15) features more events like the Rising Stars, Celebrity Game, and more—stay tuned for full details. This new USA vs. World showdown could be the most exciting yet, with global superstars clashing in short, intense bursts. Who wins the round-robin?
2026 NBA Postseason Schedule
We still have a ways to go in the 2025-26 NBA regular season. Its never too early to start looking at the 2026 NBA Playoff schedule and bracket to see where your favorite team is going to end up playing. You can check it out here. We’ll keep you updated when the schedules and team seeds are confirmed later in the 2nd half of the season.
