Adam Silver confirms 2025-26 NBA All-Star Game will have USA v. World format

Adam Silver confirms 2025-26 NBA All-Star Game will have USA v. World format

The NBA has sifted through a merry-go-round of NBA All-Star game formats over the last decade, and none of them have stuck for a prolonged period.

Now, it looks like there will be another shift. NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced Wednesday that the NBA will be transitioning into a Team USA v. World format.

“Next year, as part of our new media deal, the All-Star Game returns to NBC,” Silver said Wednesday on Fox’s Breakfast Ball.“And it so happens that next season will be smack in the middle of the Winter Olympics. So, in fact, the game will be on NBC, and the very day we’re on, the lead-in will be Winter Olympic events, and then coming out of the All-Star Game, which is now gonna be in the afternoon instead of the evening, there’ll be more Olympic events.

“So what better time to feature some form of USA against the world. I’m not exactly sure what the format will be yet. I paid a lot of attention to what the NHL did, which was a huge success. But also going back to last summer, our Olympic competition was a huge success.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirms there will be USA vs. the World in the 2026 All-Star Game 👀

"I'm not exactly sure what the format will be yet. I paid a lot of attention to what the NHL did, which was a huge success."@craigcartonlive | @DannyParkins | @markschlereth pic.twitter.com/WsEzhe4Jkk

— Breakfast Ball (@BrkfstBallOnFS1) June 4, 2025

Last February, the NBA tested a tournament-style format which was mired by random interruptions throughout the three-hour-long broadcast, souring the viewing experience despite the competition being better than it has been in past years (which isn’t saying much, frankly).

Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to see USA vs. World format for NBA All-Star Game

All I can tell you is that the World format could be stacked with talent, should Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic all make it. Team USA still wouldn’t be bad, especially if at least one of LeBron James (in season 23!!), Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant make it. You still have Devin Booker, Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Haliburton, etc.

What do you think of this new format? Let us know in the comments!

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