NBA All-Star Game 2025: Rules, Bracket Announced for New Tournament Format

The NBA has officially announced the new format for the All-Star Game that will be used starting with the 2025 event.

Per the league's announcement, the All-Star Game will utilize a four-team tournament-style format.

Twenty-four players who make the All-Star team proper will be divided into three teams of eight players. The fourth team in the field will be the winning squad in the Rising Stars game on Friday night during All-Star Weekend.

Teams will be drafted by honorary general managers and Inside the NBA personalities Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith. Fellow TNT NBA analyst Candace Parker will serve as the honorary general manager for the Rising Stars team that advances.

The winner of each game will be the first team to reach or surpass 40 points.

The first round will feature two games, with the winners advancing to play each other in the final. Fan voting for the 2025 All-Star Game begins on Thursday, with updates every week beginning Jan. 2.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver told reporters last month he enlisted the help of Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry to figure out a format that would work for the league and players. Curry made for a natural addition to the process since the 2025 All-Star Game is being held at Chase Center.

"It's a home game for him," Silver said of Curry. "I know he's very prideful and wants to make sure the players put their best foot forward."

The inclusion of the Rising Stars team to the format could help add to the intensity level because established All-Stars may not want to lose to a group of players who aren't at that level in their careers just yet.

All-Star Weekend will be held from Feb. 14-16 in the Bay Area. The 2025 All-Star Game will be played at Chase Center on Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. ET.