NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has announced that the 2026 NBA All-Star Game will feature USA-born players competing against the World, according to CBS Sports.

Following the lackluster response from players and fans to the tournament format in last year's All-Star Game, Silver decided to lean into the league's global identity. This decision coincided with the 2026 Winter Olympics, scheduled from February 6 to February 22 in Italy.

Appearing on Breakfast Ball on Wednesday (June 4), Silver spoke about changing the format, although the details of the game are still being ironed out.

"The very day we're on, the lead-in will be Winter Olympic events," Silver said."And then, coming out of the All-Star Game, which will now be in the afternoon instead of the evening, there will be more Olympic events."

"What better time to feature some form of USA against the World? I'm not exactly sure what the format will be yet," Silver continued. "I paid a lot of attention to what the NHL did, which was a huge success." 

While it remains to be seen how players will receive the new format, the Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is in favor of the change.

"I would love that. Oh, I would love that. I think that would be the most interesting and most exciting format. I would love that. For sure, I'd take pride in that. I always compete, but I think that will give me a little bit more extra juice to compete, like having Shai, Jokic, Luka, Wemby, Towns, Sengun,”  Antetokounmpo said last year during All-Star Weekend. “I know those players — obviously I'm missing some guys that I cannot think of from the top of my head, going against the best U.S. players. I think it would be fun. I think that would be the best format."

Also, San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is on board for the change.

"I would love to. My opinion is that it's more purposeful," Wembanyama said. "There's more pride in it. More stakes."