The timing could not be better, as the 2026 NBA All-Star Game in Inglewood, California will debut a new three-team format featuring two US squads and one World team.
The NBA is shaking things up once again.
The league and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced on Wednesday, November 12 (PH time) a brand-new US vs World format for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, set for next year at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
In a major twist, the 2026 NBA All-Star Game will feature a new format with three teams—two composed of US players and one made up of international stars—competing in a round-robin tournament consisting of four 12-minute games.
Under the new setup, Team A will face Team B in the opening game, with the winner moving on to play Team C in the second matchup.
The loser of the first game will then take on Team C in Game 3 and after the round-robin phase, the top two teams by record will advance to the championship game.
As in previous years, a total of 24 All-Stars—12 from each conference—will still be selected as starters will continue to be determined through fan voting (50%), current NBA players (25%), and a media panel (25%), while reserves will be chosen by head coaches.
However, for the first time, player positions will no longer factor into the selection process, giving the league more flexibility in assembling rosters.
If the voting results do not produce a minimum of 16 American players and eight international players, league commissioner Adam Silver will have the authority to appoint additional All-Stars to ensure balanced lineups.
This adjustment could result in at least one team carrying more than eight players.
Details on how the two US teams will be divided—as well as how the coaching staff will be determined—will be announced at a later date.
The 2026 All-Star Game marks the league’s latest effort to re-energize its midseason showcase, continuing a series of bold experiments that have included the Team LeBron vs Team Giannis era in the past.
Last season’s All-Star Game also featured a three-team format, with Team Shaq’s OG Stars, Team Kenny’s Rising Stars, and Team Chuck’s Global Stars.
Shaq’s OG team emerged victorious as Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry earned MVP honors in front of his home fans in the Bay Area.
—
Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.