The NBA has introduced a new round-robin tournament format for the 2026 All-Star Game, featuring two U.S. teams and one international World team. Each team will have at least eight players, competing in four 12-minute games at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The event is set for Sunday, February 15, 2026.
The National Basketball Association announced the format change on November 11, 2025, shifting from previous iterations to pit American talent against international stars. This U.S. vs. World setup aims to highlight the league's global diversity, with roughly 25 percent of players hailing from outside the United States.
Format Details
The tournament begins with Game 1 between Team A and Team B. The winner advances to face Team C in Game 2, while the loser plays Team C in Game 3. The top two teams by record after the round-robin proceed to a championship game in Game 4. If all teams finish 1-1, point differential serves as the tiebreaker. Games are limited to 12 minutes each, addressing past criticisms of lengthy stoppages in formats like the 2025 three-team setup, which saw a 13 percent ratings drop.
Selection Process
All-Star selection remains familiar: 24 players total, 12 per conference. Starters (five per conference) are chosen by fans (50 percent), players (25 percent), and media (25 percent). Reserves (seven per conference) are picked by head coaches. For 2026, selections disregard position. Players will be assigned to teams later, targeting 16 U.S. and eight international players. If voting falls short, Commissioner Adam Silver will add selections, potentially expanding rosters beyond eight.
Early Player Projections
Early projections suggest strong international contenders, including MVP favorites Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder, 11-1 start), Luka Dončić (37.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 9.1 assists), Nikola Jokić (triple-double average), Giannis Antetokounmpo (33.4 points, 23.4 in paint), and Victor Wembanyama (3.9 blocks). For the U.S., standouts like Tyrese Maxey (32.1 points), Devin Booker (28.4 points, 6.8 assists), and Cade Cunningham (27.5 points, 9.9 assists) are projected. Voting is expected to start in mid-December.
The game will air on NBC and Peacock at 5 p.m. ET.
