The NBA All-Star Game may be on the verge of its biggest transformation in decades, as league officials consider a USA vs. Rest of the World format for 2025. Amid growing criticism of the event’s lack of competitiveness and excitement, the proposal has gained momentum — driven by the rise of international stars and inspired by models from other leagues like the NHL.

A Struggling Tradition in Need of Revival

Following the 2025 All-Star Weekend in San Francisco, which featured a "Final Four"-style tournament with mixed results, the NBA faced renewed backlash from fans and media alike. Despite several format changes over the past few years — including East vs. West, captain selections, and reverting back to the original model — nothing has rekindled the prestige or intensity of the All-Star Game.

"It was a miss. We’re not there yet in terms of delivering an All-Star experience we can be proud of,"
said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

The Globalization of NBA Talent

A USA vs. World concept makes sense in today’s league, where international players are dominating like never before. The last seven MVP awards have gone to non-American players, and the 2025 finalists include:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada)
• Nikola Jokić (Serbia)
• Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece)

The last American to win MVP was James Harden in the 2017–18 season.

With the rise of stars like Victor Wembanyama, the international influence has never been stronger — and both Wembanyama and Giannis have expressed support for the new concept.

NBC, the Olympics, and the NHL: Key Influences

The return of NBC as a broadcast partner has played a critical role in shaping All-Star discussions. NBC is set to air the 2026 All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, and also owns U.S. broadcasting rights for the Olympic Games, which align with the league’s global expansion narrative.

"Given the growing interest in international competitions, we’re in talks with the Players’ Association about new formats where they can represent their countries or regions,"
Silver confirmed.

The NBA is reportedly taking cues from the NHL’s “4 Nations Face-Off”, which replaced their All-Star Weekend and became a massive hit. That event saw USA, Canada, Sweden, and Finland face off in a high-intensity tournament — with Canada winning in overtime over the U.S., amid a politically charged backdrop.

"Of course we took note of the NHL’s huge success with its national team All-Star concept,"
Silver added.