The city of Los Angeles has once again become the epicenter of the basketball universe, as NBA All-Star Weekend 2026 tips off with a star-studded, action-packed lineup of events at the brand-new Intuit Dome and the iconic Kia Forum. Fans and players alike are buzzing with excitement, and for good reason—this year marks the 75th NBA All-Star celebration, and it’s shaping up to be one for the ages. From the Ruffles Celebrity Game to the revamped All-Star Game format, there’s no shortage of drama, spectacle, and pure hoops joy.
Festivities launched Friday, February 13, with the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game at 7 p.m. ET, broadcast live from the Kia Forum on ESPN. The hardwood was graced by an eclectic mix of celebrities, athletes, and influencers—think multi-platinum rapper GloRilla tossing an alley-oop to 7-foot-6 Tacko Fall, or NFL stars Amon-Ra St. Brown and Keenan Allen swapping cleats for sneakers. NBA legends, top trainers, and even NBA executives like Mat Ishbia and Rich Schnall joined the coaching ranks, while Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brothers gave a family twist to the sideline action. The energy was electric, setting the tone for a weekend where anything seems possible.
But the celebrity matchup was just the appetizer. Later Friday night, the Castrol Rising Stars event took center stage at Intuit Dome, streaming exclusively on Peacock. This mini-tournament format pitted four squads—Team Melo, Team T-Mac, Team Vince, and Team Austin (G League)—against each other in a single-elimination showdown. Notable young guns included Reed Sheppard, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, and Donovan Clingan for Team Melo, with Ace Bailey stepping in as a replacement. Team T-Mac boasted Kon Knueppel, Kel’el Ware, and Zaccharie Risacher, while Team Vince featured VJ Edgecombe and Matas Buzelis. The G League’s Team Austin, coached by veteran Austin Rivers, fielded Ron Harper Jr. and Tristen Newton among others. The format? First to 40 points in the semifinals, then a race to 25 in the championship. It’s a quick, high-octane glimpse at the league’s future stars—and the perfect way to kick off All-Star Weekend’s competitive spirit.
Friday’s slate wrapped with the NBA HBCU Classic, highlighting the league’s ongoing commitment to diversity and collegiate athletics. The action then shifted to Saturday, February 14, for what many fans consider the crown jewel: NBA All-Star Saturday Night. Starting at 5 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, the Intuit Dome buzzed with anticipation for three marquee events—the State Farm 3-Point Contest, Kia Shooting Stars, and the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest. If you’re a hoops junkie, this is the block of programming you don’t want to miss!
The 3-Point Contest field was stacked, featuring sharpshooters like Devin Booker, Damian Lillard, Tyrese Maxey, Donovan Mitchell, Jamal Murray, Norman Powell, Bobby Portis Jr., and rising star Kon Knueppel. Past winners and first-timers alike vied for the crown, making this one of the most unpredictable shootouts in recent memory. The Kia Shooting Stars event returned with four teams, each blending All-Stars, NBA legends, and family connections—Team All-Star, Team Cameron (Duke), Team Harper, and Team Knicks. It’s a fun, fast-paced exhibition that always delivers a few surprises.
But the night’s crescendo, as always, was the Slam Dunk Contest. With three-time defending champ Mac McClung sitting this one out, a new high-flyer was guaranteed to grab the spotlight. The 2026 field featured four first-time entrants: Carter Bryant (San Antonio Spurs), Keshad Johnson (Miami Heat), Jase Richardson (Orlando Magic), and Jaxson Hayes (Los Angeles Lakers). Richardson, the son of two-time Slam Dunk champ Jason Richardson, brought a family legacy to the rim, while fans eagerly awaited what kind of aerial artistry these fresh faces would unleash. The contest, slated as the final event of Saturday night, promised to cap the evening with jaw-dropping athleticism and creativity.
Beyond the on-court action, All-Star Weekend 2026 has become a global celebration. Over 200 content creators from around the world descended on LA, with fans from 56 countries in attendance and broadcasts reaching 214 countries in 50 languages. The entertainment lineup was equally dazzling, with performances by Ludacris, Shaboozey, K-pop sensation CORTIS, and the first-ever live rendition of John Tesh’s iconic "Roundball Rock." Quite literally, the world is watching.
Sunday, February 15, brings the main event—the 75th NBA All-Star Game, but with a twist. Gone is the traditional East vs. West format; in its place is a global mini-tournament featuring three teams: USA Stars, USA Stripes, and Team World. The round-robin format means each team plays two games, with the top two advancing to the championship at 7:10 p.m. ET. The USA Stars, with an average age of just 24.8, are led by explosive young talents like Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham, and Tyrese Maxey. The USA Stripes boast a staggering 76 combined All-Star selections, headlined by LeBron James (in his 22nd All-Star appearance), Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry. Team World is no slouch either, featuring three-time MVP Nikola Jokić, Victor Wembanyama, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Luka Dončić. Each squad is helmed by a top-tier coach: J.B. Bickerstaff for USA Stars, Mitch Johnson for USA Stripes, and Darko Rajaković for Team World.
As of the All-Star break, the regular season standings have their own stories to tell. Detroit sits atop the Eastern Conference with a 40–13 record, while Oklahoma City leads the West at 42–14. But for these three days, the focus is on celebration, competition, and community. The NBA has pulled out all the stops—streaming partnerships with Peacock, special deals for Walmart+ subscribers, and a packed schedule that includes the NBA Legends Awards and the G League Next Up Game. Even the Creator Cup, a 3v3 tournament for the world’s top basketball content creators, drew big crowds and bigger highlights.
As the weekend unfolds, one thing is clear: the NBA’s 75th All-Star celebration is more than just a collection of games—it’s a testament to basketball’s power to unite, entertain, and inspire. Whether you’re tuning in for the aerial acrobatics of the Dunk Contest, the star power of the All-Star Game, or the unpredictable fun of the Celebrity Game, there’s something for every fan. And as the lights shine bright in LA, the world is watching, waiting to see which stars will rise and which moments will become instant classics. Stay tuned—the action is just getting started.