The 2026 All-Star Game was the most watched in 15 years!
Big hit for this edition of the 2026 All-Star Game! If this new format was successful on the field, there were plenty of spectators to see crowning of the Team Stars. According to Nielsen and Adobe Analytics8.8 million fans tuned in to NBC, Peacock and Telemundo to watch Anthony Edwards won his first All-Star Game MVP trophy.
The 2026 All-Star Game has the highest attendance in 15 years. Compared to the 2025 edition that was one of the least watched in history with its 4.7 million viewers, this is an 87% increase.
A peak of 9.8 million viewers was recorded at the end of the third clash of the evening during the meeting during Kawhi Leonard ignited with his 31 points to help Team Stripes defeat Team World led Victor Vembanyama and qualify for the finals. The final was mostly lost by the team of Clippers players: 47 – 21.
The successful return of the NBA to NBC
To justify this audience explosion is obviously the success of this new format, but the NBA also received a small boost from the Olympics. NBC is broadcasting the Milan-Cortina Games, and its “Primetime in Milan” show airing before and after the All-Star Game generated an average of 26.6 million viewers.
This audience confirms the NBA’s successful return to NBC. Although it has lost its rights to the Major Leagues since the 2001-02 season, the American channel recorded very good audiences. In addition to this All-Star Game, NBC averages 2.6 million viewers when airing regular-season games, a 97% increase compared to TNT’s previously achieved mostly similar slots.
2026-02-17 06:58:00
