The NBA has heard many complaints about the All-Star Game, and they have been hard at work making fans happy.
The 2026 All-Star Game will surely look different from the one in 2025, and now details about it are coming to light.
Shams Charania reported that the NBA and players union presented a brand-new format to the Competition Committee earlier this week about a round-robin tournament that would feature the best of American players battling the greatest international stars of the league.
“The 2026 NBA All-Star Game format is likely to feature a round-robin tournament consisting three eight-player squads of two USA teams and one World team, sources tell ESPN. NBA and players union presented format to the Competition Committee on Wednesday and response was positive,” Charania posted on X.
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game format is likely to feature a round-robin tournament consisting three eight-player squads of two USA teams and one World team, sources tell ESPN. NBA and players union presented format to the Competition Committee on Wednesday and response was positive. pic.twitter.com/xuR46pVYyu
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 3, 2025
There was a time when the All-Star Game was one of the hottest moments of the season, filled with show-stopping plays and true competition.
But the last several years have received universally negative reviews from fans, who feel that players aren’t truly competing, there is too much filler, and the entire weekend is just a waste.
Adam Silver and his team have repeatedly tweaked the format, but nothing seems to check all the boxes and leave fans satisfied.
A lot of people have been calling for an international angle to the game, so this might be exactly what gets things on track again.
Of course, even if the actual All-Star Game itself gets better, the league will also have to address other issues about the weekend.
They want it to be a shining moment for the league, something that players and fans look forward to again.
After years of losing goodwill, the NBA will have to go a long way to make that happen.
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