The NBA All-Star Game, scheduled for February 16, 2026, will adopt a new format pitting a USA team against a squad representing the rest of the world, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced Wednesday.
Silver cited the NHL’s successful 4 Nations Face-Off, held in February as a replacement for its All-Star Game, as inspiration. The hockey tournament, featuring players from the USA, Canada, Finland, and Sweden, was a “huge success,” Silver noted. He also pointed to the competitive men’s basketball tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Team USA secured a fifth consecutive gold medal after intense battles against Serbia and France.
The NBA’s All-Star Game has seen declining viewership in recent years. Despite a format change in 2025 to a four-team, three-game mini-tournament, ratings fell 13% from 2024, marking the second-lowest TV audience in 25 years.
The inclusion of a Global Stars team in 2025 hinted at a shift toward highlighting the league’s growing international talent. Notably, the past seven NBA MVP awards have gone to non-American players, though 2023 MVP Joel Embiid now represents the USA. Additionally, the last two No. 1 overall draft picks have come from France.
Silver’s proposed USA vs. World format aims to capitalize on the NBA’s global appeal and boost fan engagement during the 2026 All-Star Weekend, held amidst the Winter Olympics.