At a Glance
- Luka Doncic captured the most fan votes with 3.4 million, edging out Giannis Antetokounmpo.
- The 2026 NBA All-Star Game will be held on Feb. 15 at Intuit Dome.
- Players, media, and fans each contributed 25 % of the voting weight.
- Why it matters: The fan-driven tally shows the league’s growing emphasis on audience engagement and sets the stage for a high-profile All-Star weekend.
The NBA’s 2026 All-Star lineup has been announced, and the fan vote results reveal a clear favorite: Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks won the most votes, securing 3.4 million fan ballots. He surpassed the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, who received 3.2 million, and earned the sixth All-Star appearance in his career. The announcement, made on Monday, highlighted the growing importance of fan participation in shaping the league’s marquee event.
All-Star Voting Process
The NBA’s voting system blends fan enthusiasm with professional insight. Fans account for 50 % of the total vote, while NBA players and media each contribute 25 %. To calculate a player’s final score, the league ranks the top five names in each conference from each voting group and then applies a weighted system. The five players with the highest weighted scores in the Western and Eastern conferences earn the starting spots.
The process ensures that a player’s popularity among fans, respect from peers, and recognition by journalists all play a role in determining the starters.
Top Fan Vote-Getters
The fan ballot produced a clear hierarchy of favorites. Below is a table of the leading vote-getters for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game.
| Rank | Player | Team | Fan Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luka Doncic | Dallas Mavericks | 3.4 million |
| 2 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks | 3.2 million |
| 3 | Nikola Jokic | Denver Nuggets | 2.99 million |
| 4 | Tyrese Maxey | Philadelphia 76ers | 2.94 million |
| 5 | Jalen Brunson | New York Knicks | 2.85 million |
| 6 | Steph Curry | Golden State Warriors | 2.81 million |
The list shows a mix of established stars and rising talent, underscoring the league’s competitive depth.
Player and Media Votes
Beyond fan ballots, the NBA also tallies votes from players and media representatives. The results illustrate a different set of preferences.
Player Votes
- Detroit’s Cade Cunningham led with 159 votes, a full 12 ahead of Giannis.
- Boston’s Jalen Brown received 138 votes, followed closely by Jalen Brunson (137) and Nikola Jokic (135).
Media Votes
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder topped the media list with 99 votes.
- Jalen Brown and Cade Cunningham followed with 98 and 97 votes, respectively.
- Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic each earned 95 media votes.
These figures highlight the respect that players and journalists hold for certain athletes, which can differ from fan preferences.
Game Details and Broadcast
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game is scheduled for Feb. 15, a Sunday, at Intuit Dome in Inglewood. The event will air on NBC and Peacock, marking the first time since 2002 that the entire All-Star Weekend, including the Slam Dunk Contest and Three-Point Contest, will be broadcast on NBC.
Key dates and times:
- Feb. 15 – All-Star Game
- Feb. 13-14 – Pre-game festivities, including the Slam Dunk Contest and Three-Point Contest
Fans can expect a high-energy showcase of the league’s top talent, with the star-studded roster already announced.
Key Takeaways
- Luka Doncic leads fan votes, securing his sixth All-Star start.
- The voting system balances fan input with professional and media perspectives.
- The All-Star Weekend returns to NBC, offering a unified broadcast experience.
- The 2026 event will feature a mix of veteran stars and emerging players, reflecting the NBA’s evolving landscape.
As the league prepares for a weekend of celebration and competition, the fan-driven results underscore the importance of audience engagement in shaping the NBA’s marquee events.
