NBA All-Star Weekend: Event Schedule and Player Selections
— In 2026, the event feels even bigger, bolder and more global than ever before.
If you love basketball, you probably treat NBA All-Star Weekend like a festival rather than just a game. It's where sports meet entertainment, stars relax a little and fans like you get to see the league's biggest names having fun. In 2026, the event feels even bigger, bolder and more global than ever before. This guide breaks down the full schedule, player selection process and format changes so you know exactly what to expect.
Taking place in LA, NBA All-Star Weekend 2026 is not just another mid-season break. It marks the 75th edition of the All-Star Game and introduces a fresh format designed to bring real competitiveness back into the spotlight. So what should you expect and why should you care? Let's take a closer look.
When and where is the NBA All-Star Weekend?
NBA All-Star Weekend 2026 runs from February 12 to 15. The main event will take place at the Intuit Dome, the modern new arena that has quickly become one of the league's showpiece venues.
Los Angeles has hosted All-Star events before, but this edition carries extra weight. With its mix of basketball culture, celebrity influence and global media attention, the city sets the perfect stage for a weekend built around spectacle and star power.
The full event schedule at a glance
For fans who want a quick overview without reading the full breakdown, here is how the weekend is structured day by day:
Thursday, February 12
- NBA Crossover fan experience begins
- Interactive fan activities, merchandise, brand activations
Friday, February 13
- NBA All-Star Celebrity Game
- Rising Stars Challenge
- NBA HBCU Classic
Saturday, February 14
- Skills Challenge
- Three-Point Contest
- Slam Dunk Contest
Sunday, February 15
- NBA All-Star Game (new tournament-style format)
Here's how the event flows in real terms.
Thursday kicks things off with NBA Crossover, a fan-focused experience that typically runs across multiple days during All-Star Weekend. While full details for 2026 have not yet been confirmed, past editions have featured interactive fan activities, brand showcases, and opportunities to engage with NBA culture beyond the games themselves.
Friday is all about energy and youth. You get the Rising Stars Game, which showcases first and second-year players trying to prove they belong. Alongside it sits the always-popular Celebrity Game, where musicians, actors and former athletes share the court. The HBCU Classic also takes place, shining a light on college talent and the sport itself.
Saturday night is where the anticipation peaks. The Skills Challenge Three-Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest return. These events often steal the headlines with iconic moments like Vince Carter's dunks or Stephen Curry lighting it up from deep. You watch because anything can happen.
Each of Saturday’s contests highlights a different skill set, which is why this night often becomes the most replayed part of the entire weekend.
The Skills Challenge tests versatility rather than raw talent. Players compete in timed obstacle courses that combine ball-handling, passing accuracy and shooting under pressure. Big men and guards are often mixed, making the event less predictable than it looks on paper.
The Three-Point Contest is all about rhythm and composure. Shooters move through five racks under intense time pressure, and hot streaks can swing momentum instantly. It remains one of the purest shooting showcases in professional basketball.
The Slam Dunk Contest focuses on creativity and athleticism. While consistency has varied over the years, the format still allows for iconic moments when a player delivers something genuinely new. Scoring is subjective, which adds debate and drama long after the night ends.
Sunday closes the weekend with the main event, the NBA All-Star Game.
A new All-Star Game format you should know about
Instead of the traditional East vs West setup, the league is introducing a U.S. vs. World-inspired format. You get three teams:
- Two teams made up of U.S players
- One team featuring international stars
These teams compete in a short tournament-style format, with faster games designed to keep the pace high and the stakes clear. This celebrates that basketball isn't just an American Sport. More than 40% of current NBA players were born outside the U.S., and international stars are now among the league's top players. For you as a fan, this means more pride, more rivalry and hopefully more effort on the court.
How All-Star players are selected
Fans play a huge role in this process. Starters are chosen using a weighted voting system:
- Fans account for 50% of the vote
- Current NBA players make up 25%
- Media members make up the remaining 25%
This balance shows popularity matters, but performance still counts. Coaches then select the reserve players, often rewarding consistency and impact over hype.
In total, 24 players earn All-Star status. For many players, it's more than a title. It can affect contract bonuses, legacy discussion and even Hall of Fame debates later on.
Team leadership also plays a role in shaping the weekend. Coaches are selected based on regular-season performance and conference standings, and they are responsible for managing rotations during the All-Star Game itself.
If a selected player cannot participate due to injury or personal reasons, the NBA names an official replacement. These replacements are typically chosen by the league commissioner in consultation with coaches, rewarding players who narrowly missed selection but are performing at a high level.
While captains were a defining feature of recent All-Star formats, the 2026 structure shifts the focus toward collective identity rather than individual drafting power, reinforcing the competitive tone the league is trying to restore.
Stars and early names to watch
While final rosters are announced closer to the event, familiar faces are already expected to feature.
Players like Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo continue to dominate fan attention thanks to their all-round impact. Meanwhile, younger stars such as Victor Wembanyama represent the future of the league and its growing global reach.
It is also worth remembering that injuries can play a role in final selections, with players occasionally ruled out closer to the weekend and replacements named based on availability and form.
Sports betting, odds and smart insights for fans
All-Star Weekend is not only about entertainment on the court. For many fans, it also sparks wider conversations around betting, odds and individual player performances. When approached sensibly, betting is another form of entertainment, one that can help you feel more connected to the action rather than distracted by it.
The All-Star Game is an exhibition, odds can behave differently from regular-season matchups. Motivation, format changes and player combinations matter more than defensive schemes. If you follow betting markets, you already know how unpredictable this can be. This adds an extra challenge to seasoned bettors, as well as offering a new perspective on the game.
This is where doing a bit of research really pays off. When you are exploring offers on this page, which highlights some of the best sports betting bonus options available, it makes sense to rely on trusted information rather than guesswork. Well-known platforms like Covers.com are popular with sports fans because they break down how odds work and explain what different bonuses actually mean, helping you compare betting sites with more confidence.
How to watch NBA All-Star Weekend 2026
All-Star Weekend is broadcast globally, with coverage spread across multiple nights. In the United States, events are typically shown on national television partners, while international viewers can access the games through regional sports broadcasters and official streaming platforms.
Because events are held in Los Angeles, start times may run later than usual for viewers in Europe. Fans watching from abroad should expect prime-time U.S. broadcasts to land late at night or early morning, depending on location.
Many platforms also offer highlights, condensed replays and social media coverage in real time, making it easy to follow the biggest moments even if you cannot watch live.
A weekend worth watching
NBA All-Star Weekend is more than just a mid-season showcase. It is a milestone that brings the entire basketball world together for a few days of pure entertainment. Social media clips reach audiences who may not watch full games. Sponsors, broadcasters and players all benefit from the exposure. For you as a fan, it's a reminder of why you fell in love with basketball in the first place. The 2026 format aims to restore competitive pride without losing the fun. Whether you are watching for the spectacular dunks, following the twists and turns of fan voting, or keeping an eye on odds and insights, there is something here that speaks to every type of fan.
This weekend also acts as a reset point in the season. Players get a chance to shine without the pressure of standings, while fans get a clearer sense of which stars are hitting their stride. For many, it's a moment when attention shifts from early-season storylines to serious conversations about form, momentum and what the rest of the season might hold.
Most importantly, All-Star Weekend builds anticipation. It reminds you why basketball is fun, fast and unpredictable, while adding extra excitement as the league moves into its most competitive stretch. When the games return, the energy feels different and the race towards the playoffs suddenly feels very real.
