NBA All-Star Weekend is basketball's annual celebration of the sport's biggest stars. For three days in mid-February, the league's best players showcase their skills in the Rising Stars game, the Slam Dunk Contest, the 3-Point Contest, and the All-Star Game itself. Here's everything UK fans need to know about watching NBA All-Star 2026 from Britain.
NBA All-Star 2026 at a Glance
Dates: February 13-15, 2026
Location: Intuit Dome, Los Angeles (LA Clippers' new arena)
UK TV: Sky Sports NBA
New Format: USA vs World round-robin tournament
Milestone: 75th NBA All-Star Game
Complete UK Schedule
All times are in UK time (GMT). Los Angeles is 8 hours behind the UK, so evening events in LA run into the early hours for UK viewers.
| Event | US Time (PT) | UK Time (GMT) | UK Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rising Stars | Fri, 6pm PT | 2:00am | Sat 14 Feb |
| Celebrity Game | Fri, 4pm PT | 12:00am | Sat 14 Feb |
| All-Star Saturday Night | Sat, 5pm PT | 1:00am | Sun 15 Feb |
| - Skills Challenge | ~5:00pm PT | ~1:00am | Sun 15 Feb |
| - 3-Point Contest | ~6:00pm PT | ~2:00am | Sun 15 Feb |
| - Slam Dunk Contest | ~7:30pm PT | ~3:30am | Sun 15 Feb |
| NBA All-Star Game | Sun, 5pm PT | 1:00am | Mon 16 Feb |
Late Night Viewing
All major events run into the UK early hours. If staying up isn't possible, Sky Sports and NBA League Pass both offer on-demand replays - just avoid social media spoilers!
How to Watch in the UK
Sky Sports NBA
Sky Sports broadcasts NBA All-Star Weekend live and in full. If you have Sky Sports, you're covered for all events.
- Channel: Sky Sports NBA (channel 410)
- Cost: Included with Sky Sports subscription (from £22/month)
- Sky Go: Stream on mobile/tablet via Sky Go app
- On-demand: Replays available if you can't stay up
NOW Sports
No Sky subscription? NOW Sports offers flexible access:
- Day Pass: £14.99 - great for All-Star Saturday Night only
- Month Pass: £34.99 - covers all weekend plus regular season
NBA League Pass
The NBA's official streaming service provides full All-Star Weekend coverage:
- Monthly: £9.99/month
- Annual: £89.99/year
- Advantages: Multiple camera angles, on-demand replays, no blackouts in UK
New Format for 2026: USA vs World
The NBA is shaking up the All-Star Game format for 2026. Gone is the captain-draft format where two players picked teams playground-style. Here's what's new:
USA vs World Tournament Format
The 2026 All-Star Game will be a round-robin tournament featuring three teams:
- Two USA teams: American All-Stars split into two squads
- One World team: International All-Stars (players not born in the USA)
How It Works
- Each team plays each other once in round-robin format
- Games are likely shorter than traditional All-Star Game quarters
- Winner determined by overall tournament performance
- Format details will be confirmed closer to the event
Why the Change?
The NBA has been searching for ways to make the All-Star Game more competitive. Recent years saw players not defending and scores reaching 200+ points. The tournament format aims to create genuine competition and showcase the league's growing international talent.
International Stars to Watch
The World team could feature stars like Nikola Jokic (Serbia), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece), Luka Doncic (Slovenia), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada), and Victor Wembanyama (France) - a genuinely competitive international squad.
Friday: Rising Stars Challenge
Rising Stars Challenge
Friday, February 13 - Approx 2:00am UK (Sat morning)
The Rising Stars game showcases the NBA's best rookies and second-year players. It's the first look at future superstars and often features highlight-reel plays as young players try to make their mark.
- Who plays: Top first and second-year NBA players
- Format: Tournament-style with multiple short games
- Why watch: See the next generation before they're household names
- Past stars: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic all played Rising Stars
Celebrity Game
Earlier on Friday, the Celebrity Game features actors, musicians, and athletes from other sports playing basketball. It's lighthearted entertainment rather than serious competition - though some celebrities take it very seriously!
Saturday Night: Skills, 3-Point Contest & Slam Dunk
All-Star Saturday Night is the highlight of the weekend for many fans. Three competitions showcase different aspects of basketball excellence.
Skills Challenge
Approx 1:00am UK (Sunday morning)
Players compete in an obstacle course testing dribbling, passing accuracy, and shooting. The format has evolved over the years - sometimes individual, sometimes team-based.
Starry 3-Point Contest
Approx 2:00am UK (Sunday morning)
The league's best shooters compete to hit as many 3-pointers as possible in a timed round. Players move between five rack positions, with bonus "money balls" worth extra points.
- Format: 70 seconds to shoot from 5 positions
- Balls: Regular (1 point) and money balls (2 points)
- Legends: Stephen Curry holds the record with 31 points
- Why watch: Pure shooting excellence - the best make it look effortless
AT&T Slam Dunk Contest
Approx 3:30am UK (Sunday morning)
The crown jewel of All-Star Saturday Night. Four players compete with creative, athletic dunks judged by a panel of former players. Dunks are scored from 6-10 by each judge.
- Format: Two rounds - everyone competes in round 1, top 2 in finals
- Scoring: 50 points maximum per dunk (five judges, max 10 each)
- Legends: Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, Zach LaVine
- Why watch: Athletic artistry - the most creative dunks you'll ever see
Iconic moments: Vince Carter's 2000 performance is considered the greatest ever. Players have jumped over cars, people, and incorporated props into legendary dunks.
Sunday: The All-Star Game
NBA All-Star Game
Sunday, February 15 - Approx 1:00am UK (Monday morning)
The main event. The 75th NBA All-Star Game features the league's 24 best players in the new USA vs World tournament format.
- Starters: Fan vote (50%) + media (25%) + player vote (25%)
- Reserves: Selected by NBA head coaches
- MVP: Most Valuable Player award for best performer
- Duration: Approximately 2.5-3 hours including halftime show
Halftime Entertainment
The All-Star Game halftime show typically features a major musical performance. Past performers include Usher, Chance the Rapper, J. Cole, and Fergie. The 2026 performer will be announced closer to the event.
UK Viewing Tips
If Staying Up Late
- Saturday Night is the best single session - 3-Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest in one sitting
- Stock up on snacks and caffeine - you're in for 3-4 hours
- Consider taking Monday off if watching the All-Star Game live
- Watch with friends - late-night viewing is better shared
If Watching On-Demand
- Avoid social media - spoilers are everywhere, especially for the Dunk Contest winner
- Mute notifications from sports apps
- Record or set DVR on Sky if you have it
- NBA League Pass lets you watch spoiler-free with score hiding
What to Prioritise If Time-Limited
- Slam Dunk Contest - the most visually spectacular event
- 3-Point Contest - pure shooting entertainment
- All-Star Game highlights - the game itself can be slow; highlights capture the best moments
- Rising Stars - worth it if you follow young players closely
UK Basketball Fan Community
The UK now harbours one of the biggest international NBA audiences. While basketball remains more niche than football or rugby, the British NBA community is active and growing - especially during events like All-Star Weekend.
Where UK Fans Connect
- NBA UK Fans (@nba_ukfans on Instagram and X/Twitter with 23K+ posts) - an active community with a podcast called "Me, Myself & Basketball"
- r/NBA on Reddit - the main NBA discussion hub with plenty of UK fans in game threads
- Sky Sports NBA social channels - UK-focused coverage and discussion
- Hoopsfix.com - UK basketball news covering both British Basketball League and NBA
Why All-Star Weekend Works for UK Fans
All-Star Weekend is actually one of the more accessible NBA events for British viewers:
- Weekend scheduling: Events fall on Friday-Sunday nights, so the late timing doesn't clash with work
- One-off viewing: Unlike following a team through 82 games, it's three nights of appointment viewing
- Social event potential: The Slam Dunk Contest especially works well for watch parties with casual fans
- Replay-friendly: Unlike regular games, spoiler risk is lower since it's exhibition - catching up on-demand works well
New for 2026: Prime Video NBA Coverage
Starting this season, Prime Video has joined the UK NBA broadcast lineup with 86 regular-season games. They'll also have exclusive coverage of the NBA Finals in June 2026 - the first time the championship series will be on Prime in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is the NBA All-Star Game in the UK?
The NBA All-Star Game typically tips off around 1:00am UK time (GMT) on the Monday morning (8pm ET Sunday in the US). The 2026 All-Star Game is on Sunday, February 15th, meaning UK fans will watch into the early hours of Monday, February 16th.
How can I watch NBA All-Star Weekend in the UK?
Sky Sports shows NBA All-Star Weekend live in the UK, including Rising Stars, All-Star Saturday Night (Slam Dunk Contest, 3-Point Contest), and the All-Star Game. NBA League Pass also provides live and on-demand coverage for £9.99/month or £89.99/year.
When is NBA All-Star 2026?
NBA All-Star 2026 takes place February 13-15, 2026 in Los Angeles at the Intuit Dome (LA Clippers' new arena). Rising Stars is Friday, All-Star Saturday Night is Saturday, and the All-Star Game is Sunday evening (early Monday morning UK time).
What is the new NBA All-Star Game format?
For 2026, the NBA is using a USA vs World format. The game is a round-robin tournament featuring three teams: two composed of American players and one of international players. This replaces the previous draft format where two captains picked teams.
What time is the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in the UK?
The Slam Dunk Contest is part of All-Star Saturday Night, which typically starts around 1:00am UK time (8pm ET). The Dunk Contest is usually the final event of the night, starting around 3:00-3:30am UK time.
Is NBA All-Star Weekend worth watching?
Absolutely. All-Star Saturday Night (3-Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest) is spectacular entertainment. The All-Star Game itself can lack defensive intensity, but the new tournament format aims to change that. At minimum, the Dunk Contest alone is worth setting an alarm for.
Future NBA All-Star Locations
| Year | Location | Arena |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Los Angeles, CA | Intuit Dome (Clippers) |
| 2027 | TBA | TBA |
Final Thoughts
NBA All-Star Weekend is the basketball equivalent of a three-day festival. From the young stars in Rising Stars to the athletic artistry of the Slam Dunk Contest to the league's best players in the All-Star Game, there's something for every fan.
For UK viewers, the late timing is challenging but manageable. All-Star Saturday Night is the must-watch session - set an alarm for 1am Sunday, grab some snacks, and enjoy the 3-Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest back-to-back. If you can't stay up, on-demand replays (spoiler-free) are the way to go.
The new USA vs World format should add competitive intrigue that's been missing in recent years. With international basketball talent at an all-time high, the World team could genuinely compete - making the 75th All-Star Game one to remember.
Watch NBA All Season
Get our complete guide to watching NBA games from the UK.
How to Watch NBA in UK