You're probably just trying to figure out when to turn on the TV. Nobody wants to be that person who tunes in halfway through the first quarter—or worse, the second inning—because they forgot which time zone the game is in. If you're asking what time is all stars game, the answer depends entirely on whether you're looking for the high-flying dunks of the NBA or the midsummer crack of the bat in the MLB.
For the basketball fans, the 2026 NBA All-Star Game is set to tip off at 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT) on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
It’s happening at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. That’s the brand-new, high-tech home of the LA Clippers. Because it's on the West Coast, the start time feels a little earlier for those on the East Coast, but it clears up the night for prime-time viewing.
If you're looking for the baseball side of things, the 2026 MLB All-Star Game is a summer affair. It's scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2026, with a typical start time of 8:00 p.m. ET at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
The NBA’s Massive 2026 Shake-up
Honestly, the league basically threw the old rulebook out the window for this one. For years, people complained that the All-Star Game was just a glorified layup line with zero defense. Adam Silver heard the noise.
For 2026, they aren't doing the traditional East vs. West or even the captain draft. Instead, it’s a round-robin tournament. They’re calling it U.S. vs. The World, but with three teams.
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- Team USA 1
- Team USA 2
- Team World
The roster pool will have 24 stars, split into these three squads. There’s also a fourth team involved—the winner of the Rising Stars game from Friday night. They all play each other in 12-minute mini-games. The two teams with the best record then face off in a final championship round.
It’s chaotic. It’s fresh. It’s also a little confusing if you’re used to the four-quarter slog. But by moving the what time is all stars game slot to 5:00 p.m. ET, the NBA is clearly trying to make this a massive "Sunday Funday" event rather than a late-night East Coast struggle.
Where to Watch and Who’s Showing Up
This year marks a huge shift in broadcasting. After decades on TNT, the NBA All-Star Game is moving to NBC and Peacock. This is part of the massive new media rights deal. If you don't have cable, you'll need a Peacock subscription to stream it live.
As for the rosters? We won’t know the final names until the voting closes, but the early returns are looking exactly like you’d expect. LeBron James is still pulling massive numbers, and Victor Wembanyama is basically a lock for Team World.
The interesting part is how they divide the U.S. players. Since there are two American teams, the league has to decide how to split the talent so one team isn't just a "B-squad."
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MLB in Philly: The 250th Anniversary
Now, let's talk baseball. The 2026 Midsummer Classic is a big deal because it coincides with the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Philadelphia is the host city, and they are going all out. While the main game is Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. ET, the whole week is packed.
- Saturday, July 11: Futures Game (4:00 p.m. ET)
- Monday, July 13: Home Run Derby (8:00 p.m. ET)
- Tuesday, July 14: The All-Star Game (8:00 p.m. ET)
The Home Run Derby is often more popular than the game itself these days. Watching balls fly out of Citizens Bank Park—a notoriously hitter-friendly park—is going to be a blast. If you're planning to attend, keep in mind that Philly in July is basically a swamp. It's humid, it's loud, and the cheesesteak lines will be a mile long.
Common Confusion About Start Times
One thing that always trips people up is "Pre-game coverage."
If you see a listing saying the All-Star Game starts at 7:00 p.m. ET, that’s almost certainly the red carpet or the warm-up show. The actual "ball in air" or "first pitch" is usually 30 to 60 minutes after the broadcast begins.
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For the NBA in 2026, the 5:00 p.m. ET start time is the hard tip-off. NBC wants to capture that early evening audience.
For MLB, Fox usually starts their broadcast around 7:30 p.m. ET to do player introductions. If you just want the game, 8:15 p.m. ET is usually the "safe" bet to see the actual first inning.
Actionable Tips for 2026 All-Star Weekend
If you're trying to catch the action without the headache, here is how to prep:
- Check your login: If you’re watching the NBA, make sure your Peacock app is updated and your sub is active at least a day before. Don't be the person resetting their password while the game is starting.
- Sync your calendar: The NBA game is in February; the MLB game is in July. Set alerts for both now because the "tournament style" for the NBA means the pace will be much faster than previous years.
- Watch the Friday events: In the NBA, the Rising Stars winner actually gets to play in the main All-Star tournament on Sunday this year. If you miss Friday, Sunday's bracket might not make sense.
- Time Zone Math: If you are in the UK or Europe, the NBA game is actually a "reasonable" midnight start for once, thanks to the 2:00 p.m. local California time. Usually, these games start at 3:00 a.m. for Europeans, so this is a rare win for international fans.
The 2026 season is really about the NBA testing if this new format can save the All-Star brand. Between the multi-team tournament and the early start time, they are betting big on the "festival" feel. Whether you're in it for the dunks or the homers, you now know exactly when to tune in.