The NBA just changed the game, literally. They have officially torn up the old All-Star game blueprint. On Tuesday, November 11, 2025, the league unveiled a bold new makeover for its midseason classic. The 2026 NBA All-Star Game will feature a first-ever three-team format. In an interesting twist to celebrate the event’s 75th edition, it will bring together two U.S. teams and one World team.

For decades now, fans have seen stars face off in formats like East vs. West, but 2026 will be different.  Picture it: Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander all in the same jersey under the World banner. Even Giannis had called for this exact idea back in May, with the caption “This should be next year All-Star Game format!! Must see basketball💯🔥.” on X.

Now that vision is official, and it’s already being hailed as the NBA’s most daring All-Star evolution yet.

How does the U.S. vs. World Three-team system work?

For the first time, the league is introducing a three-team round-robin format, as per the NBA. That will feature two teams with U.S players and one World team, with all the international talent under one roof. The competition will consist of four 12-minute games, with each team having at least eight players. This means instead of just one long exhibition, fans will see multiple matchups. How would those matchups unfold?

Here is how the games will play out: Team A will face Team B in the opening contest. The winner of that matchup then plays Team C in Game 2. And the losing team from Game 1 will take on Team C in Game 3. After these three short games, the two best teams by record will advance to the championship game. This Game 4 will decide the 2026 All-Star champion.

If all three teams finish with a 1-1 record, the point differential will break the tie. Simply put, breaking the tie will be determined by how much they outscore or are outscored by opponents. After the format, let’s take a look at how the rules have changed with this new game.

What are the new rules for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game?

The 2026 NBA All-Star Game will introduce several important rule changes. In addition to featuring three teams and a reduced game duration of 12 minutes, there is another significant update. All-Star players will now be selected without regard to their positions, meaning that guards and forwards will no longer be categorized separately. Only the 24 best players will be chosen to participate.

The last major All-Star format change came in 2024. Back then, the NBA had reverted to the traditional East vs. West setup after experimenting with captain-led drafts from 2018 to 2023. Now, just two years later, the league has made its boldest change yet. It is a clear indication that the NBA is unafraid to keep evolving.

How will players be selected for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game?

Amidst all these changes, the selection process for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game remains almost the same. 24 players will be chosen. 12 of them from each conference. Starters of 5 players will be decided by a mix of fan votes (50%), current players (25%), and a media panel (25%). Additionally, NBA head coaches will select the seven reserves from each conference.

The major change in the way players will be picked, regardless of their position, will allow the 24 best players to earn All-Star honors. The method for dividing the American players has not yet been finalized. But once selected, the players will be distributed among the U.S. teams and one World team.

However, if voting does not naturally produce at least 16 U.S. players and eight international players, Commissioner Adam Silver will himself appoint additional players.

Why did the NBA change the All-Star format again?

The excitement had faded – if the NBA had to pick one simple reason, then this is it. In recent years, both fans and analysts criticized the midseason showcase. According to them, it lacked effort and genuine competition. In June of 2025, Commissioner Adam Silver openly admitted that the NBA All-Star game of 2025 fell short. He was looking for a concept that would truly capture the spirit of basketball and make the game matter again. While appearing on The Craig Carton Show, Silver said, “What better time to feature some form of USA against the World? I’m not exactly sure what the format will be yet. I paid a lot of attention to what the NHL did, which was a huge success.” Well, now, we have not just the format, but the venue and timing, all finalized.

When and where will the 2026 NBA All-Star Game take place?

The 2026 NBA All-Star Game schedule officially starts on Sunday, February 15, 2026. And it will take place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, the home of the Los Angeles Clippers. This year’s event will also mark a historic milestone. This is the record seventh time the greater Los Angeles area has hosted the NBA’s midseason showcase. The city has previously welcomed the All-Star festivities in 1963, 1972, 1983, 2004, 2011, and 2018.

This edition will also be the first-ever All-Star Game held at the Intuit Dome. This is a venue fundamentally designed to elevate fan experience with its signature “Halo Board” and an intimate seating layout. The official festivities will extend throughout All-Star Weekend (February 13-15, 2026). Whereas it will feature marquee events like the Rising Stars Challenge, Skills Challenge, Three-Point Contest, and the most anticipated Slam Dunk Contest.

What fans can expect from the 2026 All-Star weekend experience

The Intuit Dome will redefine how fans will experience basketball’s fresh celebration. The state-of-the-art arena promises a weekend filled with energy, immersive visuals, and comfort unlike any other All-Star venue before. Not to forget the massive “Halo Board” screen that will circle the court.

For the fans, the league has promised official access programs. These are called the exclusive All-Star Experience Packages. They include premium lower-level seating for every marquee event. Starting from the All-Star Game to the Dunk Contest and Skills Challenge. With VIP hospitality lounges, meet-and-greet sessions, and behind-the-scenes experiences. The packages range from $1,270 to $33,000, with multiple tiers such as “Hall of Fame,” “Champion,” “MVP,” and “Legend.”

To sum up the excitement of the fans, the “Veteran” package is already sold out. It offered a two-game lower-level access deal. Fans can expect an unforgettable celebration with global basketball star power complementing the city’s unmatched atmosphere.