The NBA is once again shaking up its All-Star Game format – this time with a bold international twist. 

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the 2026 edition will feature a three-team, round-robin tournament comprising two U.S. teams and one World team. Each squad will have eight players, totaling to the usual 24-man all-star teams.

Games will follow a “Ryder Cup–style” structure, with 12-minute quarters, and the team with the best record across the matchups will take home the honor.

The proposal was presented by the league and NBPA to the NBA’s Competition Committee, where it received a largely positive reception from stakeholders, including governors, executives, and players, according to Charania.

The 2026 NBA All-Star Game is scheduled for February 15, 2026, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California – home of the Los Angeles Clippers. 

The game will switch from primetime to a Sunday afternoon slot, aligning with NBC’s Winter Olympics coverage on NBC (and streaming via Peacock), as part of the NBA's new media partnership 

ANALYSIS: With this new format, this injects global rivalry and stakes as it taps into national pride and global competition, potentially sparking higher player engagement and viewer interest.

The NBA is also seemingly seeking redemption after the 2025 All-Star format – a four-team, target-score tournament – was deeply criticized and led to a 13% drop in TV ratings.

This new format is also leveraging Olympic timing and coverage as February of 2026 coincides with the Winter Olympics. NBC aims to cross-promote basketball and Olympic content, potentially boosting viewership across both events.

Finally, this move might be aiming to capitalize on the NBA’s international superstars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Victor Wembanyama, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as the world squad promises serious star power.