NBA All-Star 2026 Heads to Inglewood

All-Star weekend returns to California with new format pitting USA vs. World

Feb. 9, 2026 at 8:55pm

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The NBA's annual midseason showcase, the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend, is moving to Inglewood, California after being held in the state last year. The weekend will feature a variety of events, including the celebrity game, Rising Stars competition, 3-point contest, Shooting Stars, slam-dunk contest, and a new All-Star game format that pits Team USA against Team World.

Why it matters

The NBA has been experimenting with new formats to spark renewed interest in the All-Star Game, which has seen declining viewership in recent years. The USA vs. World concept is a fresh take that the league hopes will generate excitement and draw more viewers.

The details

The All-Star teams will be divided into three squads - USA Stripes, USA Stars, and World. The USA Stars will face the World in Game 1, with the winner taking on the USA Stripes in Game 2. The loser of Game 1 will play the USA Stripes in Game 3. The teams with the best two records will then compete in the championship game. If all three teams are 1-1, point differential will be the tiebreaker.

  • The NBA All-Star Weekend will take place from February 14-16, 2026.
  • The All-Star Game is scheduled for Sunday, February 16 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

The players

Jaylen Brown

Boston Celtics player on the USA Stripes team.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks player on the World team.

Victor Wembanyama

San Antonio Spurs player on the World team and the favorite to win All-Star MVP.

Mitch Johnson

San Antonio Spurs coach for the USA Stripes team.

J.B. Bickerstaff

Detroit Pistons coach for the USA Stars team.

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What’s next

The NBA will announce the full rosters for the three All-Star teams in the coming weeks. Fans will also be able to vote for the starters, with the reserves selected by the league's coaches.

The takeaway

The 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend in Inglewood promises an exciting new format that pits the USA against the World, with a talented roster of international and domestic stars set to compete. The league is hoping this fresh approach will help revive interest in the midseason showcase.