2026 NBA All-Star Game to Feature New Round-Robin Format

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The 2026 NBA All-Star Game will feature a new round-robin tournament format, with the 24 all-stars split into three teams of eight players. Team World, Team Stars, and Team Stripes will compete in a series of 12-minute games, with the top two teams advancing to the final. The latest NBA odds list Team World as the +155 favorites to win the tournament, while Spurs center Victor Wembanyama is the +600 favorite to be named NBA All-Star Game MVP.

Why it matters

The NBA is debuting this new format in hopes of making the All-Star Game more competitive and engaging for fans. The round-robin structure and shorter game lengths are designed to create a more intense and high-stakes atmosphere compared to the traditional All-Star Game.

The details

Each of the three teams will play two games in the round-robin portion, with the top two teams by record advancing to the final. In the event of a 1-1 tie, point differential will be used as the tiebreaker. The NBA All-Star Game will be played at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, with the first game tipping off at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday.

• The 2026 NBA All-Star Game will be held on Sunday, February 16, 2026.
• Tipoff for the first game is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET.

What’s next

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