2026 NBA All-Star Game: How to Watch Team USA vs. the World Online

The NBA is reinventing its All-Star Game, and the revamped spectacle is set to tip off Sunday, February 15th at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. For the first time, the traditional East vs. West format is being replaced with a three-team, round-robin tournament featuring Team USA Stars, Team USA Stripes, and Team World. The game will be broadcast live on NBC and streamed on Peacock.

This isn’t just a change in format. it’s a deliberate attempt to inject fresh energy into the mid-season exhibition. The league has divided the American players based on age, creating a dynamic between established veterans and rising stars. Team USA Stars boasts younger talent like Anthony Edwards, Scottie Barnes, and Cade Cunningham, while Team USA Stripes features seasoned players such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Jalen Brunson. Team World, as the name suggests, is comprised entirely of international players, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Dončić, and Nikola Jokić.

The tournament structure will unfold across four 12-minute games. The opening matchup pits Team World against Team USA Stars. The winner will then face Team USA Stripes, while the loser will also compete against Stripes. The final game will be an All-Star Championship showdown between the top two teams from the round-robin play. In the event of a three-way tie after the initial games, point differential will serve as the tiebreaker.

For viewers looking to stream the action, several options are available. The game will be live on Peacock, offering a convenient way to watch for subscribers. For those without a Peacock subscription, live TV streaming services like DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV, which carry NBC, provide alternative viewing avenues. DirecTV is currently offering a five-day free trial, allowing new users to catch the game without an immediate financial commitment.

Hulu + Live TV offers another route to access the game, bundling NBC with a wider selection of channels and on-demand content. Sling TV’s Blue package, priced at $54.99 per month, also includes NBC and over 40 other channels.

The rosters themselves are a showcase of the NBA’s global talent. J.B. Bickerstaff will coach Team USA Stars, while Mitch Johnson leads Team USA Stripes. Team World will be guided by Darko Rajaković. The teams are stacked with All-Stars, though some players, like Stephen Curry and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, will be sidelined due to injury.

Team USA Stars Roster: Scottie Barnes, Devin Booker, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Anthony Edwards, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Johnson, Tyrese Maxey. Head Coach: J.B. Bickerstaff.

Team USA Stripes Roster: Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Stephen Curry, Brandon Ingram, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Donovan Mitchell, Norman Powell. Head Coach: Mitch Johnson.

Team World Roster: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Deni Avdija, Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, Pascal Siakam, Alperen Şengün, Karl-Anthony Towns, Victor Wembanyama. Head Coach: Darko Rajaković.

The shift to a USA vs. World format represents a significant departure from tradition, aiming to heighten the competitive spirit and showcase the league’s increasingly international appeal. The round-robin structure promises a more dynamic and engaging viewing experience, moving beyond a single, high-stakes game. Whether this new format will become a permanent fixture of the NBA All-Star Weekend remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly marks a bold attempt to revitalize one of the league’s most popular events.