You're sitting on the couch, wings are ordered, and you realize you have no idea if the opening tip is in ten minutes or two hours. We've all been there. Getting the answer to what time the all star game come on shouldn't feel like a research project, but with league schedules constantly shifting to chase TV ratings, it kind of is.
In 2026, the sports calendar is looking a bit different. Networks are playing musical chairs with broadcast rights, and the NBA is literally trying to compete with the Winter Olympics. If you're looking for the short answer: it depends on which sport you're obsessing over today.
NBA All-Star Game 2026: The Big Shakeup
The NBA is doing something wild this year. Usually, the All-Star game is the undisputed king of February sports. But in 2026, they are sharing the stage with the Winter Olympics in Italy.
Because of that, the 2026 NBA All-Star Game is moving to NBC and Peacock. This is a massive deal because it's the first time the game has been on network TV (the kind you can get with an antenna) since 2002. No more hunting for a TNT login if you don't have cable.
The Game Details:
- Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026
- Time: 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT
- Location: Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA (The Clippers' new home)
Honestly, the 5 p.m. ET start time is a bit of a curveball. Fans are used to that late-night 8:30 p.m. tip-off that leaves everyone on the East Coast exhausted at work on Monday. But NBC is folding this into their Olympic coverage, so they want it in that "afternoon-into-prime" window.
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They’re also ditching the traditional East vs. West format. Instead, it’s going to be a U.S. vs. World round-robin tournament. Basically, Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander against the Americans. It’s a risky move, but Adam Silver is betting that the Olympic-style rivalry will make the players actually play defense for once.
MLB All-Star Game: Philadelphia’s 250th Bash
If you're asking about the Midsummer Classic, you've got a bit of a wait. The 2026 MLB All-Star Game is heading to Philadelphia to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It's going to be loud, there will be cheesesteaks, and the atmosphere at Citizens Bank Park will probably be rowdy.
The game is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
Typically, the first pitch happens right around 8:00 p.m. ET. Fox is still the home for this one, so you don't have to worry about the NBC/Peacock switch that's happening with the NBA and some regular-season MLB games.
The Full All-Star Week Rundown (Philly Edition)
The game isn't the only thing happening. If you're a die-hard, you'll want to mark these down too:
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- Home Run Derby: Monday, July 13 at 8 p.m. ET.
- Futures Game: Saturday, July 11 at 4 p.m. ET.
- The Red Carpet: Tuesday, July 14 at 2 p.m. ET (usually on MLB Network).
The NFL Pro Bowl Games: A Tuesday Night Special?
Wait, Tuesday? Yeah, you read that right. The NFL is officially trying something new by moving the 2026 Pro Bowl Games into the week of the Super Bowl. They want to turn it into a lead-up event rather than a post-season afterthought.
The 2026 Pro Bowl Games will take place on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
The main flag football game is slated to air at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN and Disney XD. ABC isn't showing the live game this year because they're sticking with their Tuesday night sitcom/drama lineup, which is a bit of a bummer for the cord-cutters. You’ll need a cable sub or a streaming service like Sling or Fubo to catch this one live.
The venue is the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Since it's being held in a convention center ballroom rather than a stadium, expect a very "TV studio" vibe. It's basically a glorified 7-on-7 tournament meant to hype up the Super Bowl in Santa Clara the following Sunday.
NHL and the ECHL Classic
Hockey fans, take note. The NHL's 2026 schedule is a bit of a mess because of the Olympics. The league is sending players to the 2026 Winter Games, so a traditional All-Star Game is mostly off the table in favor of the international break.
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However, if you just want some All-Star puck, the ECHL All-Star Classic is filling the void on Monday, January 19, 2026. That comes on at 7:00 p.m. ET on the NHL Network.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often assume every All-Star game starts at 8 p.m. sharp. That's a trap. As we're seeing with the NBA's move to 5 p.m. ET, the networks are now prioritizing "multi-platform windows."
Another thing: pre-game shows. If the schedule says what time the all star game come on is 8:00, the actual play usually doesn't start until 8:20 or 8:30 after the player introductions and the national anthem. If you’re a "just show me the game" person, give yourself a 20-minute buffer.
Practical Steps for Fans
- Check the Time Zone: If you're on the West Coast, remember that "Prime Time" often means 5 p.m. for you.
- Download the Peacock App: If you're an NBA fan, you're going to need it in 2026. NBC is leaning heavily into their streaming service for the All-Star festivities.
- Sync Your Calendar: Most league websites (NBA.com or MLB.com) offer a "sync to calendar" button. It’s the easiest way to ensure the time updates automatically if there's a rain delay or a broadcast shift.
The 2026 season is a transitional year for sports broadcasting. Between the NBA's return to NBC and the NFL's experimental Tuesday slot, the old rules don't really apply anymore. Keep your remote handy and maybe double-check your Peacock subscription before February rolls around.