NBA introduces new All-Star Game format to increase competition and fan engagement

The NBA All-Star Game is set to undergo another major transformation, as the league announced a new three-team mini-tournament format for this year’s event in San Francisco. Featuring the league’s top 24 players alongside the team that wins the Rising Stars Challenge, this format marks the third significant change to the All-Star format since 2020.

The objective of the championship? To make the event more competitive or, at the very least, more entertaining for the fans watching from home.

“I think we’ve reached a point where the modern All-Star Game is as much about entertainment as it is about competition,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday during an interview with Athletic and other media.

Reflecting on last year’s game in Indianapolis, which featured high-scoring goals but little defensive effort, Silver recognized the need for a change. “I was wrong about last year,” he admitted. “I thought, given Indiana’s reputation as the heart of basketball and the presence of legends, the players would embrace a more traditional and competitive game. This did not happen.

In response, the league partnered with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) and consulted directly with players to develop a format aimed at reinvigorating the All-Star experience.

A new competitive structure

The revamped All-Star Game will consist of three games: two semifinals and a championship round. In each match, the first team to score 40 points will win. There will be a prize pool of $1.8 million up for grabs, with members of the championship team earning $125,000 each.

The selection process for All-Stars remains unchanged. Twelve players from each conference will be named, with fans, media and players voting for the five starters, while coaches select the seven reserves.

The turning point comes in the selection of the team. TNT analysts Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal will serve as honorary general managers, dividing the 24 All-Stars into three teams of eight during a televised draft on Feb. 6. Meanwhile, Turner Sports analyst Candace Parker will serve as honorary general manager of the Rising Stars team, which will compete in the Friday event of All-Star Weekend.

The All-Star tournament will take place on February 16 at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Coaching duties will be assigned to the staff of the top teams in each conference starting February 2. Coaches from the first-place teams will lead two of the All-Star teams, while assistants will coach the Rising Stars team and the remaining All-Star team.

Try to revive competitiveness

This move follows extensive discussions between the league and players about how to make the All-Star Game more compelling. Silver credited NBPA executive director Andre Iguodala for leading the negotiations on behalf of the players. Notably, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry was also involved in the consultations, offering suggestions on how to improve the format.

As Silver explained, the changes are a recognition of how the league has evolved. “When I was a child, seeing the All-Stars together was a rare opportunity. It was one of the few times fans got to see so many great players compete on the same court,” Silver said. “But it’s a different world now. The players are always together – during the summer, with the national teams – it is no longer the novelty it once was.

The league also worked with the NBPA to streamline pre-game activities, including player introductions and the national anthem, to allow players a more traditional warm-up period.

The players’ point of view

While the new format has sparked curiosity, its success ultimately depends on player engagement. Oklahoma City Thunder star and two-time All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander acknowledged the elephant in the room, saying, “The question is whether the players will believe it. I love being part of it and hope the changes inspire more commitment and competition.”

Fan voting for the All-Stars will begin on December 19, with the rest of the weekend schedule remaining largely unchanged. However, Bay Area native Stephen Curry and WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu are expected to team up again for a shooting contest on All-Star Saturday.

A cautious optimism

The All-Star Game has long been criticized for its lack of intensity, with last year’s scoring record highlighting the absence of defensive efforts. For Silver and the league, the new format is an attempt to change that narrative.

“I am optimistic that this format will generate excitement,” Silver said. “It’s about finding ways to keep the event fresh and meaningful for both players and fans.”

It remains to be seen whether the new structure will deliver a more competitive and engaging All-Star Game. But for now, the league is betting on innovation to reignite the excitement of one of its marquee events.