Report: 2026 NBA All-Star Game will feature USA vs. World game

The 2026 NBA All-Star Game will feature a Team USA vs. Team World 'Ryder Cup-style games,' according to Shams Charania.

Sep 3, 2025, 6:11 PM

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The NBA is once again changing its All-Star Game format for 2026, which is set to take place in the new Intuit Dome in Southern California.

Last season, hosted in San Francisco, was widely criticized. From halftime gimmicks with YouTube star Mr. Beast or Kevin Hart playing in-game host to an extent that seemed to bother the participating All-Stars.

Their previous four-team format, with one group being promoted from the G-League Up Next Game, didn’t last long.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the 2026 NBA All-Star Game will feature two USA teams and one World squad.

The two USA teams and one World squad would play each other in 12-minute per quarter, Ryder Cup-style games, sources said. Governors, team executives and players discussed the format positively within the Competition Committee meeting on Wednesday. https://t.co/tS5GsA0BaW

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 3, 2025

Charania also adds that the games will be played in a Ryder Cup-style format.

The Ryder Cup is a golf tournament centered around Europe versus the United States golfers.

Their scoring format, translated to the NBA, may mean a difference tallied at the end of each quarter, accumulating after each frame.

With a lack of competitiveness and excitement surrounding NBA All-Star Weekend, we’ll see if the change can help revive the once lively weekend.

More NBA coverage on Sactown Sports

If Dennis Schroder’s performance in this summer’s FIBA EuroBasket is any indication of what he can bring to the Sacramento Kings, the Beam Team could be in line for a boost in the backcourt this season.

Schroder has been the driving force behind Germany’s 4-0 start to EuroBasket’s Group Play stage, with Wednesday morning’s matchup against Finland set to determine who wins Group B and moves onto the knockout stage.

Germany improved to 4-0 over the weekend thanks to a dominant 120-57 win over Great Britain.

Dennis Schroder, who signed a multi-year deal with the Sacramento Kings in free agency in July, scored 19 points to go along with five assists and one steal while shooting eight-of-15 from the field and two-of-four from long distance over 24 minutes.

Read More:

Schroder continues to shine for undefeated Germany in FIBA EuroBasket

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

Sacramento Kings preseason basketball is on the way, but we’ll have to wait a bit longer before we see the Beam Team back in action.

The Kings will open up their preseason slate on Wednesday, October 8th, at home against the Toronto Raptors. You can see the full preseason schedule below.

Sacramento will begin the regular season on Wednesday, October 22nd, in Phoenix before returning home to play its home-opener against the Utah Jazz on Friday, October 24th.

Click here to see the full 2025-26 Sacramento Kings schedule.