The NBA All-Star Game is basically the biggest party in basketball, but keeping track of the schedule has become surprisingly tricky. You’ve probably noticed that every year the league tweaks the format or moves the start time to accommodate different time zones or TV networks.
If you're asking what time does the NBA All Star game come on, you aren't just looking for a number on a clock—you're looking for the specifics of a weekend that has been completely overhauled for 2026. This year, the festivities are landing in Inglewood, California, at the brand-new Intuit Dome. Because it’s on the West Coast, the league had to make some major decisions to ensure fans in New York aren't staying up until 1:00 AM on a Sunday night.
The Big Answer: Sunday Tip-Off Times
The 75th NBA All-Star Game is scheduled to tip off on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET (2:00 PM PT).
Yes, you read that right. It’s earlier than usual.
The NBA and NBC (the new home for the game) decided to pull the start time forward. Why? Honestly, it’s mostly about the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Since the Olympics are happening at the same time, the league wanted a window that wouldn't force sports fans to choose between a Gold Medal hockey game and Steph Curry launching half-court shots.
Here is how that breaks down across the country:
- Eastern Time: 5:00 PM
- Central Time: 4:00 PM
- Mountain Time: 3:00 PM
- Pacific Time: 2:00 PM
If you're watching from Europe or Asia, you'll still be looking at a late night or an early Monday morning, but for the domestic crowd, this is a rare "daytime" All-Star vibe.
Where to Watch: A New Era for Broadcasting
For the first time since 2002, the game isn't on TNT. That "Gone Fishin'" crew we all love? They aren't the primary broadcasters for this one.
The game is being televised nationally on NBC. If you’ve cut the cord, you can stream the entire thing live on Peacock. This is a massive shift for the league. Moving to a major broadcast network like NBC means the reach is potentially much higher than it was on cable.
Pro Tip: If you're using Peacock, make sure your app is updated at least 24 hours before tip-off. There’s nothing worse than missing the first quarter because of a mandatory "system update" while the game is already live.
What Time Does The NBA All Star Game Come On For The Rest Of The Weekend?
The main event is Sunday, but the "All-Star Weekend" label is kinda a lie—it's more like a four-day marathon. If you want the full experience, you have to track the Friday and Saturday schedules, which also have earlier starts this year.
Friday, February 13: The Rising Stars and Celebrities
Friday is usually the "casual" day, but the energy in the Intuit Dome will be high because it's the venue's big debut on the global stage.
- Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game: 4:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM ET. This one is happening over at the Kia Forum (right next door to the Intuit Dome).
- Castrol Rising Stars: 6:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM ET. This will be on Peacock and NBC. It features the best rookies and sophomores, and honestly, sometimes it’s more competitive than the Sunday game because these kids are actually trying to prove something.
Saturday, February 14: All-Star Saturday Night
This is the night for the purists. The Skills Challenge, the 3-Point Contest, and the Slam Dunk Contest.
- Start Time: 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET.
- Channel: NBC / Peacock.
Saturday night is often the highest-rated part of the weekend. This year, expect a lot of tech-heavy broadcast features. Steve Ballmer’s Intuit Dome is basically a giant computer that happens to have a basketball court in the middle, so the "Halo Board" (the massive double-sided 4K screen) will be doing some wild things during the Dunk Contest.
The 2026 Format Change: It’s Not Just a Game Anymore
This is where things get really interesting. When you tune in at 5:00 PM ET on Sunday, you aren't going to see a traditional East vs. West game. The NBA scrapped that.
Instead, they've introduced a USA vs. The World round-robin tournament.
There will be three teams of eight players. Two teams will be made up of American stars, and one will be an "International" team featuring the likes of Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Victor Wembanyama. They’ll play a series of 12-minute mini-games. The two teams with the best records from the round-robin then face off in a final Championship game.
It’s a bit experimental. Some fans hate it; some think it’s exactly what the mid-season break needed to feel competitive again. Either way, it means the "game" might feel more like a fast-paced tournament, so don't be late to the TV.
👉 See also: Live NFL Stream Reddit: Why the Old Game is Over
Why the Time Change Matters for Fans
The move to a 5:00 PM ET start is a gift for parents and people who have to work on Monday morning. In previous years, the All-Star Game wouldn't even start until 8:30 PM ET, meaning the Fourth Quarter wasn't happening until nearly 11:30 PM.
By starting earlier, the NBA is leaning into the "event" status. They want it to be a dinner-time spectacle.
What You Should Do Next
- Check your NBC reception: If you're using an antenna, do a channel scan now.
- Peacock Subscription: If you plan on streaming, verify your login works. Don't wait until the international stars are already on the court.
- Sync your calendar: If you're on the West Coast, remember that 2:00 PM is basically lunch. Plan your Sunday accordingly so you aren't stuck in LA traffic while the game is tipping off.
The 2026 All-Star Game is going to be a tech-heavy, fast-paced experiment in the NBA's most advanced arena yet. Whether the U.S. vs. World format sticks or not, the 5:00 PM ET start time is a change that most of us can get behind.