The NBA is finally heading back to Los Angeles, or more specifically, the shiny new Intuit Dome in Inglewood. If you’re like me, you’ve probably spent the last few seasons half-watching the All-Star Game while scrolling on your phone because the "no defense" vibe got a little stale. Well, 2026 is actually looking to change that narrative. The league is shaking things up in a big way for the 75th edition of the midseason classic.
If you are just looking for the quick answer to what time is nba all star game, here it is: the main event tips off at 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT) on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
But don't just set your alarm for Sunday and call it a day. The whole weekend is packed, and the game itself isn't what it used to be. We are talking about a total overhaul of the rules.
The Sunday Schedule: When to Tune In
Honestly, the Sunday schedule is the one everyone stresses about because of the time zone math. Since the game is in California this year, the East Coast is looking at a late-afternoon/early-evening start, while the West Coast gets a perfect matinee vibe.
- Broadcast Start: 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT
- Actual Tip-off: Usually happens about 15-20 minutes after the broadcast starts (thanks to the player intros and the national anthem performances).
- Network: NBC and Peacock (Yep, NBC is back in the NBA business for the first time since 2002).
There is something sort of nostalgic about having the NBA back on NBC. Hearing that iconic "Roundball Rock" theme song before the 2026 NBA All-Star Game is probably going to hit different for anyone who grew up watching Jordan or Shaq.
Why the 2026 Format is Actually Weird (and Maybe Good?)
For years, we had East vs. West. Then we had the captains' draft. Now, Adam Silver and the league office have pivoted to something that sounds like a FIFA tournament or a hockey mini-series.
Instead of one long 48-minute game between two massive squads, we are getting a round-robin tournament.
Basically, there will be three teams involved. You've got two teams made up of U.S. players and one "World Team" consisting of international superstars. Think about that for a second. The World Team could potentially feature Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić, and Victor Wembanyama all on the same floor. That’s terrifying.
The format works like this:
- Three teams of at least eight players each.
- A round-robin style where they play multiple mini-games.
- Each game is roughly 12 minutes.
- The top two teams based on their record move to a final Championship Game.
If there’s a tie? They go to point differential. It’s basically the NBA’s version of the World Cup. The goal is clearly to make the players actually care about winning, rather than just chucking up 70-footers for three hours.
What About the Rest of the Weekend?
You can't talk about what time is nba all star game without mentioning the appetizers. Friday and Saturday are often where the real highlights happen anyway.
Friday, February 13, 2026
The weekend officially kicks off at the historic Kia Forum and the Intuit Dome.
- Ruffles Celebrity Game: This usually starts around 7:00 p.m. ET at the Kia Forum. It’s always a mix of "who is that?" and "I can't believe they can actually hoop."
- Rising Stars Game: Starts at 9:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. PT) at the Intuit Dome. This features the rookies and sophomores. If you want to see the future of the league without the pressure of the main game, this is it.
Saturday, February 14, 2026
This is the night many purists actually prefer.
- All-Star Saturday Night: Starts at 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT).
- Events: The Skills Challenge, the 3-Point Contest (where the Steph vs. Sabrina vibes might continue), and the Slam Dunk Contest.
The early start time on Saturday is a bit of a curveball compared to previous years, so don't get caught making dinner plans and missing the Dunk Contest.
Where to Watch and How to Stream
Since the TV rights have shifted, you won't find the game on TNT this time around. It’s an NBC show now.
If you’ve cut the cord, you’re going to need a Peacock subscription. Every major event of the weekend, from the Rising Stars on Friday to the championship round on Sunday, is streaming live there. For those with traditional cable, NBC is the home for the Saturday and Sunday marathons.
👉 See also: Spalding NBA Official Game Ball: What Most People Get Wrong
If you are outside the U.S., NBA League Pass is still your best friend, though local blackouts sometimes apply depending on where you're living.
Actionable Tips for All-Star Weekend
If you're planning to watch, here is how to actually enjoy it without the "All-Star Burnout" hitting you by Sunday night:
- Check the Lineups Early: The NBA reveals the starters weeks in advance, but the final rosters for the three-team tournament format are usually tweaked right up until the week of the game. Keep an eye on who is actually on the "World Team"—it’s arguably the most talented roster ever assembled.
- Sync Your Calendar: If you are on the East Coast, the Sunday 5 p.m. start is actually great—it means the game ends before you have to worry about the Monday morning "scaries."
- Watch the Intuit Dome Tech: This arena has "Halo Boards" and crazy seat tech. Even if the game is a blowout, the venue itself is supposed to be a character in the broadcast.
- Don't Sleep on the HBCU Classic: It usually happens on Friday or Saturday and features some of the best atmosphere in college hoops. It's often more competitive than the actual All-Star game.
The 2026 All-Star Game feels like a bit of a "reset" for the NBA. Between the move to NBC and the radical new tournament format, the league is clearly desperate to recapture the magic. Whether a round-robin tournament between Team USA and the World actually works remains to be seen, but at the very least, it won't be the same old boring 211-186 scoreline we've seen lately.
Make sure you're on the couch by 5:00 p.m. ET on February 15th to see if this new experiment actually saves the midseason break.