NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is ringing in a massive change to the NBA All-Star Game next season. In the latest news, the league’s head man announced that the 2026 edition will feature Team USA vs. Team World in the All-Star Game proper.
The move sparked plenty of fan reactions, with many voicing frustration. Social media quickly lit up with calls to preserve the East vs. West format.
NBA Fans Implore Adam Silver To Keep All-Star Game Format
Taking to X soon after the announcement, a majority of the fans wanted the East vs. West format to remain the same.
“Next year, part of our new media deal, the All-Star Game will return to NBC,” Silver stated. “And it so happens that next season will be smack in the middle of the Winter Olympics.
“The game will be on NBC, and the very day we are on, the lead-in will be Winter Olympic events, and coming out of the All-Star Game, which will now be in the afternoon instead of the evening, will be more Olympic events. What better time to feature some form of Team USA versus the world?”
Adam Silver says next year’s All-Star Game will feature Team USA vs. Team World
(🎥 @BrkfstBallOnFS1 )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 4, 2025
“Can we get east vs west just one more time,” one fan tweeted. This was seconded by another who said, “Bro just do east vs west again.”
Some takes were quite blunt as Team World copped flak for a lack of All-Star names. “This is a good idea until you realize ‘Team World’ only has like 5-7 all-stars lol,” said one fan.
This is a good idea until you realize “Team World” only has like 5-7 all-stars lol
— Heat Takes (@Heat_Takes) June 4, 2025
Some people targeted Silver and his constant drive to innovate the NBA’s format, especially during All-Star weekend: “Why does this dude have to literally change everything in the worst way? Just keep it east versus west.”
Why does this dude have to literally change everything in the worst way? Just keep it east versus west.
— Aidan LaPorta (@AidanLaPorta69) June 4, 2025
One fan had just one problem with Silver: “This dude good at everything except for All-Star Weekend,” the post read. “Who asked for this?” a comment read.
Silver’s change appears aimed at reviving interest in what used to be one of the NBA’s most beloved weekends. In recent years, the All-Star Game has faced mounting criticism over its lack of competitiveness, frequent roster withdrawals, and constant format tweaks.
According to Front Office Sports, viewership for the 2025 All-Star Game dropped 13%, pulling in 4.7 million viewers compared to 5.4 million in 2024. A four-team mini-tournament format didn’t help the numbers, and the absence of stars like LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo turned the event into a letdown at Chase Center.
The next All-Star weekend is set for Los Angeles. The hope is that the new format brings energy and better ratings to one of the NBA’s oldest traditions. Whether it works is a question only time can answer.