Everything you need to know about the 2026 NBA All-Star

by Thobelani Moyo | by Thobelani Moyo

image Everything you need to know about the 2026 NBA All-Star
The 2026 NBA All-Star games are fast approaching, and the buzz around this event is stronger than ever. The top 24 performing players of the season are poised to entertain Hoops enthusiasts. The competition is expected to run from February 13 to February 15 in Los Angeles. Discover anything you need to know from the schedule to the tournament rules and event, right here on SportyTrader!
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Overview: New Game Format Introduced

The 75th NBA All-Star Game is here. Some might not be familiar with the format, as there have been notable changes made which are completely different from the previous edition. The 2025 season featured a four-team mini tournament. It included a single-elimination format. The first team to reach 40 points was named the winner of each matchup. 

In the current edition, it's now a three-team tournament. The format has been changed from single elimination to a USA vs. World round-robin format. 

Teams have been split by nationality. They'll get to perform in the round-robin style before reaching the finals. A round-robin style is where every team plays against every other team, which introduces fair comparison. Regarding the prize money, players on the championship team are expected to receive $125,000, while runners-up get $50,000. Third place gets $25,000.

Regarding the team structure, it now includes two USA teams. The breakdown is quite simple: in the USA Stars category, you find your rising talent, while the USA Stripes are your established stars or veterans ready to showcase their elite abilities. 

Tournaments to watch out for in the NBA All-Star Games

wembanyama during an nba clash

  1. Main 2026 NBA All‑Star Game

The 2026 NBA All-Star Game will kick off on a Sunday at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. As mentioned before, this will be a round-robin format, including a championship game. 

There will be two USA teams involved, including the USA Stars and the USA Stripes. Also, how can we forget Team World, which will feature elite players from outside the USA?

Round-robin games 

  • Game 1: USA Stars vs. Team World
  • Game 2: The winner of Game 1 faces USA Stripes
  • Game 3: The loser of Game 1 faces USA Stripes 
  • Game 4 (Championship): Only the top two teams get to meet in the final

  1. Rising Stars Challenge

The event will be held on February 13, 2026, at Intuit Dome. This is where emerging talent and first-time All-Star calibre players get to showcase their talent against one another.

  1. NBA G‑League Next Up Game

The NBA G‑League Next Up Game is more of a development kind of showcase where players in the NBA's developmental league hone their skills. This event will take place on February 15 at the Convention Center. 

The game structure is easy to understand, with teams in this category expected to navigate four quarters. However, the timers are shorter compared to NBA games. Across the four quarters, there will be 12-minute timers.

  1. All‑Star Saturday Contests

Setting the tone for the weekend are the All‑Star Saturday Contests. The primary objective of this event is to build the hype around the main All-Star games and give the lesser-known players exposure. 

Under this category, the State Farm 3-Point Contest, Kia Shooting Stars Challenge, and AT&T Slam Dunk Contest are included.

State Farm 3-point contest 

This is where players showcase their shooting abilities by scoring the most points from beyond the three-point line. There are five racks, and players get to shoot from five spots around the arc.

Below are the confirmed best long-range shooters:

  • Devin Booker, Kon Knueppel, Damian Lillard, Tyrese Maxey, Donovan Mitchell, Jamal Murray, Bobby Portis Jr., Norman Powell

Kia Shooting Stars Challenge 

The Kia Shooting Stars Challenge involves four teams of three players (two current NBA players and one NBA veteran). This is a team-based shooting competition. 

Below are the confirmed participants:

  • Team All-Star: Scottie Barnes, Chet Holmgren, Richard Hamilton.
  • Team Cameron: Jalen Johnson, Kon Knueppel, Corey Maggette.
  • Team Harper: Dylan Harper, Ron Harper Jr, and Ron Harper.
  • Team Knicks: Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Allan Houston.

AT&T Slam Dunk Contest

The AT&T Slam Dunk Contest is nothing more than a fan favourite event. This is where players get to perform creative and athletic dunks.

Below are the confirmed participants:

  • Carter Bryant, San Antonio Spurs
  • Jaxson Hayes, Los Angeles Lakers
  • Keshad Johnson, Miami Heat
  • Jase Richardson, Orlando Magic

Complete NBA All-Star Games schedule 

  • Friday, February 13, 2026.

NBA All-Star Celebrity Game (19:00)

NBA Rising Stars Game (21:00)

  • Saturday, February 14, 2026.

NBA All-Star Saturday (17:00)

  • Sunday, February 15, 2026.

75th NBA All-Star Game (17:00)