Timing is everything in sports. You don't want to be the person frantically googling "what channel is the game on" while your group chat is already blowing up with highlights. Honestly, keeping track of the "All-Star" schedule has become a bit of a nightmare lately because every league is constantly tweaking their format. One year it’s East vs. West, the next it’s a draft, and the year after that, they’ve moved the whole thing to a Tuesday night in a ballroom.
If you're asking when does all star game start, the answer depends entirely on which ball (or puck) you're following. For the 2026 season, we have some massive changes, including the NBA basically reinventing its tournament structure and the NFL moving the Pro Bowl directly into Super Bowl week.
Here is the breakdown of the 2026 mid-season classics so you can actually plan your life.
The NBA’s Big Experiment in Los Angeles
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game is scheduled for Sunday, February 15, 2026.
Forget everything you know about the traditional format. This year, the league is leaning into the "International vs. USA" hype that’s been brewing for a decade. The game will take place at the brand-new Intuit Dome in Inglewood, the high-tech home of the LA Clippers.
The tip-off is slated for 5:00 PM ET. That’s a bit earlier than usual because they are competing with the 2026 Winter Olympics coverage on NBC. Speaking of which, for the first time since 2002, the game is moving away from TNT and will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
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The New Tournament Style
Instead of one long, defensive-free slog, they are trying a round-robin tournament.
- Teams: There will be three All-Star teams (two US-based, one World team) plus the winner of the Rising Stars game.
- Format: Four 12-minute mini-games.
- Why? Because the 2024 game was, frankly, a blowout that nobody watched. This is Adam Silver’s attempt to make players actually care.
MLB's 250th Anniversary Bash in Philly
If you’re a baseball fan, the date you need is Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
The 96th MLB All-Star Game is heading to Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. This isn't just a random choice; it’s timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Philly is going to be absolutely packed.
Expect the actual game to start around 8:00 PM ET on Fox.
The festivities actually start much earlier:
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- Saturday, July 11: The All-Star Village opens at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
- Sunday, July 12: The Futures Game and the Celebrity Softball game.
- Monday, July 13: The Home Run Derby (usually the most-watched part of the week anyway).
The NFL Pro Bowl's Massive Shift
The NFL finally admitted that the Pro Bowl as a standalone event after the season was a bit of a dud. For 2026, they are moving it to Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
Wait, Tuesday? Yeah. They’ve integrated it into Super Bowl LX week in the San Francisco Bay Area. Instead of a stadium, they’re holding a high-production flag football game inside a 4,000-seat ballroom at the Moscone Center.
The broadcast starts at 6:30 PM ET on ESPN, with the actual flag football game kicking off at 8:00 PM ET. It’s basically a televised party meant to hype up the Super Bowl, featuring 7-on-7 action and a bunch of skill competitions.
Soccer and the World Cup Shadow
The 2026 MLS All-Star Game is set for Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
This one is tricky because 2026 is a World Cup year. MLS is actually taking a break from May 25 to July 16 to let the World Cup happen on North American soil. Once that circus leaves town, the MLS stars will head to Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte for their showcase.
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The game will stream exclusively on Apple TV via the MLS Season Pass. They haven't announced the opponent yet—sometimes it’s a Liga MX All-Star team, sometimes it’s a big European club—but the Skills Challenge will happen the night before on July 28.
The Missing Link: Why No NHL All-Star Game?
You might notice the NHL is missing from the 2026 calendar. That’s because there is no NHL All-Star Game in 2026.
The league decided to scrap it in favor of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. NHL players are finally heading back to the Olympics (running Feb 6–22), so the league is pausing the regular season entirely.
If you were hoping to see the puck drop in New York (which was the original plan), you'll have to wait until 2027 when the New York Islanders host at UBS Arena.
Quick Reference Start Times
| Event | Date | Location | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Pro Bowl Games | Feb 3, 2026 | San Francisco, CA | 8:00 PM |
| NBA All-Star Game | Feb 15, 2026 | Inglewood, CA | 5:00 PM |
| MLB All-Star Game | July 14, 2026 | Philadelphia, PA | ~8:00 PM |
| MLS All-Star Game | July 29, 2026 | Charlotte, NC | TBA |
Real Talk: Is it Worth Watching?
Look, All-Star games aren't what they were in the 90s. The players are more worried about injuries, and the "defense" is usually non-existent. However, the 2026 NBA format change is actually interesting. It’s the first time they’ve really admitted the old way was broken.
If you're planning to attend any of these, especially the MLB game in Philly, buy your tickets now. Between the All-Star game and the 250th-anniversary celebrations, hotel prices in Philadelphia are already starting to look like phone numbers.
Actionable Next Steps
- NBA Fans: If you want to vote, the window usually closes in mid-January. Use the NBA App daily to get your picks in before the starters are announced.
- Travelers: If you're heading to Los Angeles for the NBA game, stay near the Metro K Line. Traffic around the Intuit Dome is going to be a nightmare.
- Viewers: Make sure your Peacock subscription is active by February if you want the NBA game; otherwise, you'll be hunting for a login ten minutes after tip-off.