NBA Announces USA vs. World Round-Robin Format for 2026 All-Star Game
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NEW YORK — The NBA on Monday unveiled a revamped All-Star format that will pit two teams of U.S.-born players against a squad of international stars in a round-robin tournament during the 2026 showcase.
The three teams will meet on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, at 2 p.m. PT inside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. NBC and Peacock will televise the event.
How the tournament will work
• Each roster will include at least eight players.
• Four 12-minute games will be played.
• Game 1: Team A vs. Team B.
• Game 2: Winner of Game 1 vs. Team C.
• Game 3: Loser of Game 1 vs. Team C.
• The two best records advance to the championship. If all three clubs finish 1-1, point differential decides the finalists.
All-Star selection process
The league will continue to name 12 All-Stars from each conference. Starters will be chosen through a weighted vote of fans (50 percent), players (25 percent) and media (25 percent); head coaches will pick the seven reserves per conference. Positional designations have been removed.
The NBA has not yet detailed how U.S. players will be assigned to the two domestic teams. American players with dual eligibility may be moved to the international roster if needed. Should voting yield fewer than 16 U.S. or eight international players, Commissioner Adam Silver will add participants, opening the door for more than the traditional 24 All-Stars.
Background on recent changes
The announcement marks the league’s latest attempt to boost competitiveness after several experimental formats. Last season featured four eight-player teams in a single-elimination bracket, while 2018 through 2024 used a captain’s draft in place of the traditional East vs. West matchup.
The 2026 edition will be the first All-Star Game played at the Intuit Dome, the future home of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Source: Lakers Nation
