The NBA announced the return of the Shooting Stars competition during All-Star Weekend, marking the event’s first appearance in over a decade. The contest will be part of All-Star Saturday Night and will take place during the 2026 All-Star festivities.
The Shooting Stars event, last held in 2015, features teams composed of three participants: two current NBA players and one former NBA player. The competition tests teams’ shooting accuracy from various spots on the court, typically ranging from layups to long-range shots, including a half-court attempt to conclude each round.
This year, four teams are scheduled to participate in the event. While the league has not yet announced the names of the individual participants or their team affiliations, the format is expected to closely follow previous iterations of the competition. In the past, Shooting Stars enjoyed popularity among fans due to its blend of current and legendary talent, as well as its light-hearted, skill-based format.
The reintroduction of the Shooting Stars contest is part of the NBA’s broader effort to enhance fan engagement during All-Star Weekend by incorporating both nostalgic elements and fresh entertainment value. The competition originally debuted in 2004 and ran annually until 2015. During that time, teams were typically made up of an NBA player, a WNBA player, and an NBA legend, though the 2026 version will pivot to feature two active NBA players alongside a retired NBA player per team.
The Shooting Stars competition joins other established All-Star Saturday events, including the Skills Challenge, Three-Point Contest, and Slam Dunk Contest. The full schedule, including airtime and location, is set to be released in the coming days, as excitement continues to build around the NBA’s annual midseason celebration.
This return reflects the league’s ongoing commitment to celebrating its history while highlighting current talent, aiming to appeal to a wide range of fans during the sport’s premier showcase weekend.
