NBA Looks to WWE's Royal Rumble to Revamp All-Star Saturday

The league aims to boost interest in its annual midseason showcase event.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The NBA is considering taking a page out of the WWE playbook to reinvigorate its struggling All-Star Saturday night festivities. Inspired by the success of WWE's Royal Rumble event, the league is exploring creating its own version of the multi-competitor elimination match to inject new energy and excitement into the weekend.

Why it matters

The NBA's All-Star Saturday night, which features events like the dunk contest, has seen waning interest from fans in recent years. By borrowing from the WWE's model of creating new match types and bringing in surprise stars, the league hopes to recapture the anticipation and spectacle that once defined its midseason showcase.

The details

The NBA is considering a new event modeled after WWE's Royal Rumble, where multiple players would compete in an elimination-style match. This could involve bringing back retired NBA legends, incorporating stars from outside the league, and creating unexpected matchups to generate buzz and keep fans engaged throughout the night.

  • The NBA's All-Star weekend is held annually in mid-February.
  • The league is exploring changes to the Saturday night events ahead of the 2027 All-Star festivities.

The players

NBA

The professional basketball league that hosts the annual All-Star weekend events.

WWE

The professional wrestling entertainment company known for its innovative match types and event formats.

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What they’re saying

“The NBA can do the same thing with the simplest of basketball games: Knockout.”

— Joseph Staszewski, Sports Writer (nypost.com)

What’s next

The NBA is expected to finalize plans for the new All-Star Saturday night format in the coming months, with an eye toward debuting the revamped event in 2027.

The takeaway

By taking inspiration from the success of WWE's Royal Rumble and other innovative event formats, the NBA hopes to reignite fan interest in its midseason showcase and deliver a must-see spectacle for basketball enthusiasts.