The NBA All-Star game will adopt a “USA vs. the World” format in 2026, Commissioner Adam Silver announced, aiming to revitalize the event’s declining viewership.
Scheduled for February 16 during the Winter Olympics, the game will air on NBC with an afternoon start.
Silver cited the success of the NHL’s recent “4 Nations Face-Off” and the competitive nature of the Paris Olympics men’s basketball tournament as inspirations.
The shift acknowledges the NBA’s increasing international talent, with non-American players dominating recent MVP awards and draft picks.
This new format hopes to inject fresh excitement into the mid-season showcase.
