The 2026 NBA All-Star Game set new viewership highs, drawing an average of 8.8 million viewers across NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo, according to preliminary data from Nielsen and Adobe Analytics, NBC Sports reported Tuesday. This marks the largest All-Star audience since 2011 and the first major ratings surge in over a decade.
The 75th edition, held Sunday at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, featured a fresh “USA vs. World” format. Team USA Stars captured the championship with a 47–21 win over Team USA Stripes, led by MVP Anthony Edwards, who combined with Tyrese Maxey for 17 points in the final.
The event introduced a round-robin mini-tournament with four 12-minute games. Team USA Stars narrowly edged Team World 37–35 in Game 1, while USA Stripes defeated the Stars 42–40 in Game 2. Team Stripes eliminated World 48–45 in Game 3, setting up the championship showdown, where Edwards and Maxey dominated.
Victor Wembanyama was a standout for Team World, scoring 33 points and connecting on 4-of-5 from three-point range across two games, though his final shot rimmed out in the semifinal. Kawhi Leonard contributed 31 points in just 12 minutes for Team Stripes, including a game-winning three-pointer with 2.5 seconds remaining.
The new format aimed to heighten competitiveness and fan engagement, moving away from the traditional East vs. West matchup. Coaches included J.B. Bickerstaff for USA Stars, Mitch Johnson for USA Stripes, and Darko Rajakovic for Team World.
Team USA Stars’ roster combined experienced scorers and rising stars, featuring Devin Booker, Cade Cunningham, and Jalen Duren alongside Edwards and Maxey. Team Stripes relied on veterans such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry, while Team World showcased international talent including Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Pascal Siakam.
