NBA All-Star Weekend is officially here. Starting today with the Celebrity Game at 7 p.m. ET, the 75th edition brings a groundbreaking USA vs. World format featuring three teams competing in a historic round-robin tournament. Get ready for three days of basketball spectacle in Los Angeles.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Celebrity Game Tip-Off: Friday, February 13 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN at Kia Forum
- Rising Stars Games: Two back-to-back games starting at 9 p.m. ET on Peacock
- All-Star Saturday Night: February 14 features Dunk Contest, 3-Point Contest at 5 p.m. ET on NBC
- All-Star Championship: Four 12-minute games on Sunday, February 15 at Intuit Dome with new round-robin format
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The Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game gets the weekend rolling in Inglewood, California at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. This exhibition features celebrities, musicians, and athletes competing for bragging rights and entertainment. The Kia Forum will host the highly anticipated matchup featuring notable personalities that draw casual fans into All-Star weekend festivities.
Immediately following at 9 p.m. ET, the Castrol Rising Stars takes center stage on Peacock. Two games showcase the next generation of NBA talent with Team Austin versus Team Melo, followed by Team Vince versus Team T-Mac. These rising stars represent the future of professional basketball.
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Friday night delivers three hours of non-stop basketball content across multiple platforms. The Rising Stars Championship at 10:35 p.m. ET determines champions among young players vying for recognition. Following that, the NBA HBCU Classic at 11 p.m. ET brings college basketball to the forefront featuring Hampton University versus North Carolina A&T.
This diverse programming showcases celebrity talent, emerging NBA prospects, and college basketball excellence all under one weekend banner. The Peacock streaming platform carries most of the Rising Stars content, while ESPN and Peacock split broadcasting duties for maximum reach and engagement.
All-Star Saturday Night Highlights Dunk and Three-Point Contests
| Event | Time (ET) | Network |
| All-Star Saturday Night | 5 p.m. | NBC & Peacock |
| State Farm 3-Point Contest | 5 p.m. | NBC & Peacock |
| Kia Shooting Stars | 5 p.m. | NBC & Peacock |
| AT&T Slam Dunk Contest | 5 p.m. | NBC & Peacock |
Saturday, February 14 features All-Star Saturday Night starting at 5 p.m. ET at Intuit Dome. The State Farm 3-Point Contest opens the evening with elite shooters competing for distance-shooting supremacy. The AT&T Slam Dunk Contest provides aerial acrobatics and jaw-dropping dunks. Shooting Stars adds a team component to the skills competition.
Saturday also includes NBA All-Star Media Day at 2 p.m. ET and Commissioner Adam Silver’s news conference at 4 p.m. ET, which air on NBA TV and the NBA App. All Saturday events broadcast on NBC and Peacock for comprehensive coverage of the competition segment.
Historic USA vs. World Format Reshapes Championship Game
“In a new U.S. vs. World format, two teams of U.S. players and one team of international players compete in a round-robin tournament.”
— NBA Official
The 75th NBA All-Star Game on February 15 introduces the most significant format change in years. Three teams compete in four 12-minute games: USA Stars, USA Stripes, and the World team. Each team plays twice during round-robin action. The championship game features the two highest-seeded teams determined by win-loss records and point differential.
Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lead the World team featuring international stars. Scottie Barnes, Devin Booker, and Cade Cunningham anchor USA Stars. The format creates urgent, competitive basketball where every possession matters. Winners earn $125,000, runners-up receive $50,000, and third place takes $25,000.
Will the New Format Revitalize All-Star Game Interest and Engagement?
The USA vs. World rotation marks a departure from traditional East versus West competition. NBA leadership designed these four consecutive 12-minute games to maintain intensity and prevent resting players mid-competition. Win-loss records determine seeding rather than random assignment.
Championship contenders face relentless matchup variety without knowing exact second and third opponents until games conclude. This unpredictability generates organic storylines and competitive stakes that executives believe will translate to higher viewership and engagement. The Los Angeles Clippers’ Intuit Dome provides a world-class venue for Sunday’s action, with opening tip at 5 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
Sources
- NBA.com – Official 2026 All-Star schedule and format details
- ESPN – Comprehensive weekend programming and competitor information
- NBC Sports – Television schedule and broadcast logistics for NBC and Peacock
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.