The NBA is mulling an “international competition” for the annual All-Star Game, The Athletic’s Joe Vardon reports.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver and president of league operations Byron Spruell said discussions were being held with new broadcast partner NBC regarding an original format for the All-Star Game. The next one will be held at the Clippers’ Intuit Dome on Feb. 15, 2026. The Intuit Dome will also be the home base for the basketball competition in the 2028 Summer Olympics.
The league has been inspired by the NHL, which held a wildly successful four-team international tournament in place of its All-Star Game. The NBA is considering a U.S. vs. the rest of the world matchup.
“Looking to do something new and different yet again, but excited about the possibility,” Spruell said.
The NBA has been groping for ways to regain interest in the All-Star Game, which in recent years has essentially turned into a defensively-absent dunk contest. If the NBA goes in this direction, it will be the third format in three years.
This February, the NBA experimented with a four-team tournament with three squads of All-Stars and a fourth of “rising stars.” However, the tournament was a flop, lacking suspense and drawing poor TV ratings.
Approximately 25 percent of current NBA players were born outside of the U.S., including many of its top stars.
There arent enough international players yet but the game would definitely be a lot more interesting
International starting five would be insane- Luka, SGA, Giannis, Wembanyama and Jokìc. That’s four of the best five players in the game with Wembanyama ascending into that group? It drops way off after that but it’s an All Star game, I’d take my chances.
OK, they’re listening to the fans.
Many of us suggested something like this.
Instead of team allegiance or Conference allegiance you have to tap into what the NHL does and some sort of homegrown allegiance, whether it’s USA versus the world or East Coast versus West coast and where you went to high school or something else having to do with where you grew up.
NHL nailed it this year and there was so much excitement. NBA is wise to follow suit here in some way.
How about they “mull over” not playing a stupid exhibition game that doesn’t matter and no one cares about, at all?
Just cancel the game and replace it with flag football.
Only way to save the game. If they don’t play for real, the Euros will mop the floor with them.
Even though national pride is disgusting even in it’s most wholesome form…
This is how to regain interest in one of the most crazily nationalistic cointries and pride from the players taking part…
Seriously, they just need to cancel this game. No one watches it, no one cares, and it’s a different “format” every single year.
if it’s not worth homecourt advantage in the finals and/or bonus $, then none of the players aren’t gonna give a damn about playing competitively for it + why risk a potential season-ending injury for playing a meaningless game? Most players would rather just be at home resting up and being with their families instead of being there although i can see the first timers might be more excited about actually being there
And that’s what’s wrong with the game. Exactly that. Entitlement.