The 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend officially tips off today in Los Angeles, marking a historic milestone for the league as it celebrates its 75th All-Star edition. Hosted for the first time at the Los Angeles Clippers' technologically advanced Intuit Dome, this year's festivities promise a radical departure from tradition. With a groundbreaking USA vs World NBA format, a return to NBC broadcasting, and a roster of events designed to engage a global audience, the weekend is set to redefine the midseason showcase. As fans descend on Inglewood this Friday, February 13, the excitement begins with the revamped Rising Stars tournament and the star-studded Ruffles Celebrity Game.
75th NBA All-Star Game: A Revolutionary New Format
For its diamond anniversary, the NBA has scrapped the traditional East vs. West matchup in favor of a high-stakes competitive overhaul. The 75th NBA All-Star Game on Sunday will introduce a three-team round-robin tournament, a direct response to fan demands for higher intensity. The new format pits two American squads—Team USA Stars (younger rising talent) and Team USA Stripes (veteran legends)—against a unified Team World roster.
This "mini-tournament" consists of four 12-minute games. The three teams will compete in a round-robin stage, with the top two squads based on record (and point differential tiebreakers) advancing to a final Championship Game. This change aims to eliminate the lack of defense seen in previous years by incentivizing every quarter. Furthermore, the game will tip off earlier than usual at 5:00 PM ET on Sunday, February 15, airing live on NBC and streaming on Peacock, a scheduling shift designed to accommodate the ongoing Winter Olympics coverage.
Friday Night Action: Rising Stars and Celebrity Showdowns
The weekend's on-court action begins tonight with two fan-favorite events. First, the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game 2026 takes over the Kia Forum at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN. This year's rosters feature a unique mix of pop culture icons and sports legends. Notable participants include NFL stars Keenan Allen and Amon-Ra St. Brown, Brazilian soccer legend Cafu, and returning MVP Rome Flynn. They will be joined by musical acts like GloRilla and Mustard, with NBA champion Jeremy Lin and fan-favorite Tacko Fall anchoring the paint. Coaching the squads are Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brothers against a team led by actor Anthony Anderson.
Immediately following at 9:00 PM ET, the NBA Rising Stars 2026 tournament lights up the Intuit Dome. The format continues the four-team tournament style, coached by NBA legends Carmelo Anthony (Team Melo), Tracy McGrady (Team T-Mac), and Vince Carter (Team Vince), alongside a G League squad coached by Austin Rivers. Key players to watch include Team Melo's Reed Sheppard and Stephon Castle, while Team T-Mac features standout rookie Kon Knueppel. Team Vince boasts the athletic VJ Edgecombe, promising a high-flying start to the weekend.
Intuit Dome: A High-Tech Stage for All-Star Events
This weekend serves as the global debut for the Intuit Dome All-Star events experience. The Clippers' new arena in Inglewood is touted as the most technologically advanced basketball venue in the world. Fans in attendance will experience the "Halo Board"—a massive, double-sided 4K scoreboard—and haptic feedback seats that immerse spectators in the game's rhythm. The arena's design brings fans closer to the court than any other NBA venue, creating an intimate yet electric atmosphere for the skills competitions and the main event.
Broadcast Return to NBC and Peacock
In a nostalgic yet modern twist, the 2026 All-Star Game marks the return of the NBA to NBC for the first time since 2002. This partnership leverages the NBA on NBC Peacock streaming capabilities, ensuring that every dunk, crossover, and celebrity moment is accessible on multiple platforms. The broadcast will feature a mix of classic NBA on NBC themes and cutting-edge analysis, bridging the gap between the league's golden era and its digital future.
Complete NBA All-Star 2026 Schedule & How to Watch
To ensure you don't miss a moment of the action, here is the confirmed schedule for the weekend's major events:
- Friday, Feb. 13:
- Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game: 7:00 PM ET (ESPN) – Kia Forum
- NBA Rising Stars Challenge: 9:00 PM ET (Peacock) – Intuit Dome
- Saturday, Feb. 14:
- HBCU Classic: 2:00 PM ET (NBA TV/Peacock)
- State Farm All-Star Saturday Night: 5:00 PM ET (NBC & Peacock) – Intuit Dome
(Includes Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest, and Slam Dunk Contest)
- Sunday, Feb. 15:
- 75th NBA All-Star Game Tournament: 5:00 PM ET (NBC & Peacock) – Intuit Dome
With the NBA All-Star 2026 schedule packed with innovative formats and legendary talent, this 75th-anniversary celebration is poised to set a new standard for sports entertainment. Whether you are tuning in for the tactical intrigue of the USA vs. World tournament or the pure spectacle of the Dunk Contest, Los Angeles is ready to put on a show.
