The NBA All-Star Game will consist of two American teams and one international team.
NBA Announces New All-Star Game Format for 2026
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has announced a significant change to its All-Star Game format, which will take place in 2026. The game will be held at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, the new home of the Los Angeles Clippers, as previously announced.
The new format, inspired by the success of the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off, will consist of two teams of U.S. players, one team of international players, and Ryder Cup-style games. Each game in the new format will be 12 minutes per quarter.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver noted the success of the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off as inspiration for the new All-Star format. The NHL hosted the 4 Nations Face-Off last season, featuring teams from the United States, Canada, Finland, and Sweden during its All-Star break. The final of the 4 Nations Face-Off between the U.S. and Canada drew 10.1 million viewers, making it the most-watched non-Olympic hockey game ever.
The response to the new format has reportedly been positive. Commissioner Silver believes the high number of international players in the NBA presents an opportunity for an international competition instead of the traditional All-Star formats. For eight consecutive seasons, the NBA MVP has been awarded to a player born outside the U.S. Approximately 25% of current NBA players were born outside of the U.S. At least 10 international players have been selected in every NBA draft since 2010.
The start time of the game will shift from a Sunday evening to a Sunday afternoon. The exact format for the new NBA All-Star Game featuring U.S. and World teams is yet to be determined. The game will be aired on NBC.
The idea to transform the NBA All-Star Game into a round-robin tournament with teams from the USA and an international team in 2026 was proposed by the NBA itself as part of a new format change for the event. The 2026 All-Star Game will be played on February 15.
This new format is expected to bring a fresh and exciting dynamic to the NBA All-Star Game, providing fans with an even more engaging and entertaining experience.
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