NBA All-Star Weekend 2026 in Los Angeles: Schedule, Venues, Hotels & Transportation Options
NBA All-Star Weekend isn’t just a game; it’s a citywide takeover. In 2026, the hoops hype hits Los Angeles, and for one unforgettable February weekend, the city goes full-on basketball mania. Celebrities are jetting in faster than you can say “dunk,” arenas are packed with fans from every corner of the globe, and neighborhoods from Downtown to Inglewood, West Hollywood to Beverly Hills are buzzing with events, pop-ups and afterparties that make you wonder if sleep was even invited.
Here’s the truth most visitors learn quickly: the challenge isn’t finding something to do. It’s getting everywhere on time without splitting up your squad or missing a single moment of the action. All-Star Weekend spans multiple venues, and timing matters as much as tickets; a 30-minute delay can mean missing player intros, skipping dinner plans or watching NBA All-Star highlights on your phone instead of from your seat.
That’s why seasoned fans plan their transportation like a championship play. TourVanGo, a luxury Sprinter van rental service in Los Angeles, is built for weekends exactly like this: airport pickups, hotel-to-venue runs, dinner transfers and full-day itineraries for groups who want the weekend to feel effortless and premium. Because in LA, the party starts the moment you leave your hotel, not when the first whistle blows.
What Is NBA All-Star Weekend (And Why Everyone Wants In)
Think of NBA All-Star Weekend as basketball’s version of a citywide festival… except with slam dunks, celebrity cameos and enough hype to make a music festival jealous.
It’s more than the game itself; it’s a celebration of everything basketball: marquee matchups, skills competitions, celebrity All-Star games, fan festivals, concerts and brand activations. Even if you don’t have NBA All-Star tickets, the energy alone is worth the trip. Fans trade jerseys, snap photos with holograms of legends and roam Downtown LA enjoying pop-ups that feel like walking through a live Instagram feed.
The weekend lineup is stacked, with enough events to fill every fan’s schedule:
NBA All-Star Game – The main event at Intuit Dome where the league’s best battle it out.
Rising Stars Game – Future legends showing off their talent.
Celebrity All-Star Game – Athletes and celebrities teaming up for laughs and highlights.
All-Star Saturday Night – Skills challenges, 3-point contests, and the dunk contest that stops the city.
NBA Crossover – The ultimate fan festival with activations, merch and immersive experiences.
Stephen Curry reminds us:
“Success is not an accident, success is actually a choice.”
And choosing the right itinerary and transportation is how you win the weekend before tip-off.
A Quick History - And Why LA Is the Perfect Host
NBA All-Star Weekend didn’t start as the city-spanning, multi-venue spectacle we know today. Originally, it was just a single exhibition game, a showcase of talent and a chance for fans to see the league’s stars in action. Over the decades, it has evolved into a full-blown, multi-day celebration combining basketball, music, culture and lifestyle, turning host cities into playgrounds for fans and celebrities alike.
The NBA itself got its start on August 3, 1949, when two rival leagues, the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball League (NBL) merged. Seventeen teams from big cities and small towns joined forces, creating a unified professional basketball league. This merger laid the foundation for the NBA to grow into a global sports powerhouse, with All-Star Weekend as one of its most iconic annual events. Los Angeles, with its mix of world-class arenas, iconic neighborhoods, celebrity culture and sprawling entertainment options, makes the perfect host.
2026 marks the 75th edition, and the Intuit Dome in Inglewood will host the main NBA All-Star Game. LA is no stranger to mega-events, the Super Bowl, Olympics and World Cup, and All-Star Weekend fits perfectly into the city’s global spotlight. In short, LA doesn’t just host events. LA becomes the event.
2026 NBA All-Star Weekend Schedule, Venues & Transportation
Planning your NBA All-Star weekend itinerary is essential, because events are spread across multiple neighborhoods.
NBA Crossover (Feb 12–15, Downtown LA / Convention Center): Fan experiences, brand activations and merch you didn’t know you needed.
Celebrity All-Star Game (Fri, Feb 13, Kia Forum, Inglewood): Athletes and Hollywood collide in a show of skill and fun.
Rising Stars Game (Fri, Feb 13, Intuit Dome): Watch future legends light up the court.
All-Star Saturday Night (Sat, Feb 14, Intuit Dome): Dunk contest, 3-point contest, and skills challenges that get fans on their feet.
75th NBA All-Star Game (Sun, Feb 15, Intuit Dome): The weekend finale, the reason we’re all here.
Pro tip: plan your days like a coach calls plays. Spend one day in Downtown for NBA Crossover and one or two days in Inglewood for games at Intuit Dome and Kia Forum.
What to Expect in Los Angeles During All-Star Weekend
Crowds, traffic and energy you can almost taste. Previous host cities give us perspective: San Francisco (2025) had 142,881 attendees, Indianapolis (2024) had over 81,000, and Cleveland (2022) drew -121,600. Back in 2018, LA itself hosted 17,801 people for the epic all-star game, with an estimated number of 110,000 people from around the U.S. and the world attending all weekend-long events.
Expect congestion near Inglewood (Intuit Dome/Kia Forum) and Downtown, surge pricing on rideshares, and hotel rates that spike early. The city knows how to handle these crowds, but only if you plan ahead.
Public Transportation - When It Works and When It Doesn’t
LA Metro can be handy for solo travelers or couples. Metro rail stops at Pico Station, right across from the Convention Center for NBA Crossover, and event shuttles run to Intuit Dome. Kia Forum encourages Metro use and rideshare options, TAP cards simplify rail access.
But here’s the catch: public transportation isn’t ideal for groups, formal outfits, VIP dinners or multi-stop nights. If your squad wants to stay together and avoid missed events, private transportation is the real MVP.
Where to Stay: Hotels Near All-Star Weekend Venues
Choosing the right hotel base is key.
Inglewood / LAX Area (Intuit Dome & Kia Forum): Hilton Los Angeles Airport, Hyatt Regency LAX, Sheraton Gateway, Westin LAX, Renaissance LAX. Great for early arrivals and 1-2 night stays.
Downtown LA (NBA Crossover & LA Live): LA Live hotels, luxury Downtown properties near the Convention Center. Ideal for full-day fan experiences and nightlife.
Beverly Hills / West Hollywood / Hollywood: Luxury hotels in LA, Beverly Hills hotels All-Star weekend options. Perfect for high-visibility arrivals, afterparties and dining, but you’ll need smart transport planning.
2026 NBA All-Star Weekend Schedule, Venues & Transportation
Planning your NBA All-Star Weekend itinerary is a must, because the action isn’t in just one place, it’s spread across multiple hotspots across LA. Knowing where to be and when can save you time, stress and serious traffic headaches.
NBA Crossover (Feb 12–15, Downtown LA / Convention Center)
Think of this as the fan playground. NBA Crossover is packed with interactive experiences, sponsor activations, meet-and-greets and exclusive merch drops you won’t find anywhere else. It’s where fans get closest to the culture of the game. If you love basketball beyond just watching, this is your zone.
Celebrity All-Star Game (Fri, Feb 13, Kia Forum, Inglewood)
Where sports meets Hollywood. Expect actors, musicians, influencers and athletes sharing the court in a high-energy, fun-first showdown. It’s competitive, entertaining and full of viral moments.
Rising Stars Game (Fri, Feb 13, Intuit Dome)
This is your chance to see tomorrow’s superstars before they become household names. The Rising Stars Game is fast, flashy and often surprisingly intense as young players prove they belong on the big stage.
All-Star Saturday Night (Sat, Feb 14, Intuit Dome)
For many fans, this is the real highlight. The dunk contest, 3-point shootout and skills challenges bring drama, creativity and edge-of-your-seat moments. Every year delivers something people talk about for months.
75th NBA All-Star Game (Sun, Feb 15, Intuit Dome)
The grand finale. The league’s biggest names share one court, one night, one show. It’s basketball at its most entertaining, less about rivalry, more about spectacle and star power.
Pro Tip:
Plan your days like a coach calling plays. Dedicate one full day to Downtown LA for NBA Crossover, then plan one or two days in Inglewood for the major games at Intuit Dome and Kia Forum. Grouping your schedule by location saves time, avoids LA traffic chaos, and lets you actually enjoy the weekend instead of sitting in a car.
Things to Do Between Events
Iconic Quick Hits: Hollywood Sign viewpoints, Santa Monica Pier, Rodeo Drive.
Food & Atmosphere: West Hollywood dining corridors, Koreatown group dining, Downtown rooftop lounges.
Entertainment: Live comedy, concerts, sports bars with All-Star watch parties.
Daytime Reset: Manhattan Beach walks, Griffith Observatory sunsets, Burbank studio strolls.
Why Private Group Transportation Wins
Surge pricing, split Ubers, parking stress, and late arrivals vanish with a private driver in Los Angeles. One vehicle, one plan, everyone together. Multi-venue days, peak-time gridlock, and after-event pickups are no problem with a luxury van rental with a driver.
TourVanGo Transportation Options
Airport Transfers (LAX → Hotel → First Event): Luggage-friendly, perfect for staggered arrivals, snacks or quick stops.
Venue Transfers (Hotel ↔ Intuit Dome / Kia Forum / DTLA Crossover): Pre-scheduled windows, early arrival strategy, multi-venue coverage.
Night-Out Transportation (Dinner → Event → Afterparty → Hotel): Comfort, style and keeping the group together.
Planning Tips for Smooth Travel
Pick your “home base” (Inglewood/LAX vs Downtown vs Westside)
Build buffer time for LA traffic
Decide pickup points in advance
Cluster activities to avoid zig-zagging across the city
NBA All-Star Weekend is unforgettable when transportation is part of the plan. TourVanGo luxury Sprinter Van rental services ensure groups move like pros, hitting every event, dinner and afterparty without stress. Luxury, timing and comfort make your weekend feel effortless.
After all, in Los Angeles, getting there on time is just as important as being there.