NBA All-Star Game's New Format Scores Big with 8.8 Million Viewers
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has successfully implemented a fresh format for its 2025-26 All-Star Game, held on Monday, February 16, 2026, at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. According to NBC, the event drew an impressive 8.8 million viewers, marking a substantial viewership milestone for the league.
While this figure falls short of the all-time record, it represents the highest viewership for an NBA All-Star Game since 2011. During the Monday matchup, viewership peaked at 9.8 million viewers in the final moments of the third game in the new mini-tournament format, as USA Stripes defeated Team World to advance to the championship game against USA Stars.
Anthony Edwards Leads USA Stars to Championship Victory
In the tournament's climax, USA Stars emerged as the champions, with Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves playing a pivotal role in securing the title. This year's viewership saw a dramatic increase compared to the previous year, which attracted only 4.7 million viewers. Notably, since 2022, the All-Star Game had struggled to reach 6 million viewers, highlighting the success of the format change.
Addressing Viewer Complaints with a Revamped Format
Over recent years, many fans and critics had voiced complaints about the traditional East vs. West format of the NBA All-Star Game, citing it as dull and uncompetitive due to players not taking the game seriously. In response, NBA officials deliberated extensively before deciding to overhaul the format to a USA vs. World structure.
The new format featured two USA teams, composed exclusively of American players, and a Team World, made up of international players, with each team consisting of eight players. The competition followed a single round-robin format, culminating in the top two teams advancing to the finals.
This strategic shift not only reinvigorated fan interest but also provided a more engaging and competitive showcase of basketball talent, as evidenced by the significant boost in viewership numbers.
