If you're looking for the 2026 mid-season classic, you might notice something weird this year. Usually, we just check the calendar, see "February" or "July," and assume the same old routine. But 2026 is actually a massive pivot year for professional sports. Between the NBA overhauling its entire format and the NHL basically skipping their traditional party for something much bigger, knowing what time does all star game start depends entirely on which sport you're actually trying to watch.
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game is scheduled for Sunday, February 15, 2026. It is going down at the brand-new Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. This is the Clippers' house, and honestly, the tech in that building is going to make the broadcast look pretty wild. For those planning their Sunday night around it, the tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m. PT / 8:00 p.m. ET.
What’s different this time? Well, Adam Silver and the league office finally admitted the 2024 and 2025 games were getting a bit... stale. So, they’re ditching the East vs. West or Captains’ Draft nonsense. Instead, they’ve introduced a three-team, round-robin tournament featuring a "U.S. vs. World" flavor. It's basically a mini-tournament inside one night. If you’re used to the old 48-minute slog, this is going to feel much faster.
What Time Does All Star Game Start for MLB Fans?
Baseball is a whole different beast this year because it's tied to the 250th anniversary of the United States. Since we're in 2026, Philadelphia is the center of the universe for the "Semiquincentennial." The 96th MLB All-Star Game takes place on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Citizens Bank Park.
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If you're waiting for the first pitch, the official start time is 8:00 p.m. ET.
Fox has the broadcast again, but the pre-game festivities usually start way earlier, around 7:00 p.m. ET, if you want to see the red carpet and the introductions. It’s a nostalgic pick for the venue. The last time Philly hosted was 1996 at the old Veterans Stadium, and before that, it was the 1976 Bicentennial game.
The Full 2026 All-Star Week Breakdown
The actual game is just the finale. If you're a die-hard, you’re looking at four days of baseball:
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- Saturday, July 11: The All-Star Futures Game (usually starts around 4:00 p.m. ET) and the Celebrity Softball Game.
- Sunday, July 12: Day 1 of the MLB Draft. This is now a staple of All-Star weekend.
- Monday, July 13: The Home Run Derby. This usually starts at 8:00 p.m. ET. It's often higher rated than the actual game.
- Tuesday, July 14: The main event. National League vs. American League.
The NHL Situation: Why There is No All-Star Game
This is where people are getting confused. If you're searching for "what time does the 2026 NHL All-Star game start," the answer is: it isn't happening.
The NHL decided to scrap the 2026 All-Star Weekend entirely. They aren't being lazy; they're clearing the deck for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina. After years of CBA disputes and COVID-related delays, NHL players are finally heading back to the Olympics.
Instead of a mid-season exhibition, the league is taking a "break" from early February through the end of the month. So, if you see an "All-Star" schedule for hockey in 2026, it's likely a reference to the 4 Nations Face-Off or the Olympic preliminary rounds. It’s a bummer for the host city fans, but seeing McDavid and MacKinnon playing for meaningful medals is a fair trade.
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Where to Watch and How to Stream
Look, nobody watches cable anymore, but the networks still hold the keys. For the NBA, the 2026 game is a big deal because it marks the return to NBC and Peacock. This is the first time since 2002 that the "Roundball Rock" theme will actually feel right. If you’re streaming, you’ll need a Peacock subscription, or you can catch it on the NBA App if you have the right credentials.
For MLB, it’s still Fox. You can stream it on the Fox Sports app, but you'll need a cable login. If you're a cord-cutter, services like FuboTV, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV are your best bets. Just don't wait until 8:05 to check your Wi-Fi; the authentication always fails when you're in a rush.
Final Logistics for 2026
Basically, if you're marking your calendar, here is the short version. The NBA tips off at 8:00 p.m. ET on February 15. MLB throws the first pitch at 8:00 p.m. ET on July 14. Hockey fans can take the winter off or start scouting the Italian time zones for the Olympic puck drop.
To get the most out of these games, make sure you've updated your streaming apps at least 24 hours in advance. Most services push "critical updates" right before high-traffic events, which can lead to a 10-minute download right when the game starts. Also, if you’re planning on attending the Philly game, book your hotel now—the 250th-anniversary crowds are expected to be the largest the city has seen in decades.
Key Actions for Fans:
- NBA: Sync your Peacock login by February 14 to avoid "incorrect password" stress.
- MLB: Follow the weather in Philly; July humidity often leads to late-afternoon thunderstorms that can push the 8:00 p.m. start time back by an hour.
- NHL: Ignore any "All-Star" ticket links for 2026; they are likely scams or for minor league events (like the ECHL All-Star game).