NBA All-Star 2026 brings Los Angeles into a basketball-heavy festival starting Thursday, February 12th, with the busiest weekend stretch running February 13th to 15th.
The All-Star Game is set for Sunday, February 15th, at 2:00 PM PT at Intuit Dome in Inglewood. Some headline moments require arena seats, but a lot of the best atmosphere lives outside the turnstiles in Downtown and Inglewood.
Plan in hubs, not in cross-town zigzags. Downtown centers on the Los Angeles Convention Center and L.A. LIVE, while Inglewood revolves around Intuit Dome and the Kia Forum. Build each day around one hub, then add one extra stop only if you still feel fresh.
Spend an Afternoon Inside NBA Crossover at the Los Angeles Convention Center
NBA Crossover runs February 12th to 15th at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and it’s the weekend’s main “walk in and wander” experience. Expect interactive activations, merchandise, stage programming, and rotating appearances that keep the floor lively even between headline moments.
Hours vary by day, so timing matters. All times PT: Thursday 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Friday 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Sunday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Arrive close to opening for lighter lines, then save your late-night energy for the stage slot you care about most.
Catch the Creator Cup and G League Action Without Needing an Arena Seat
Thursday’s Creator Cup is on the official weekend calendar, and it’s a fun way to see basketball culture collide with competition. It’s built for fans who like big personalities, quick highlights, and a crowd that reacts like it’s a live show.
NBA Crossover also houses “G League Park,” where events such as the G League Next Up Game and other contests are staged during the weekend. Treat it like a festival day: block a time window, watch a full segment, then drift to your next stop before your feet start filing complaints.
Hang Out at Intuit Dome’s Outdoor Plaza for the Open-Air Vibe
Even without a ticket inside, Intuit Dome’s outdoor plaza is designed to work as its own mini destination during the weekend. The setup can include an outdoor court with NBA ID court games, photo moments, an art garden, live DJs, mascots, and pop-up retail.
Use it like a pregame block party where people-watching is half the entertainment. A quick lap is fine, but the best version is slow: play a court game, grab a drink, take your photos, then hang around until the music shifts and the crowd changes.
Do an Inglewood Walk That Links Intuit Dome and the Kia Forum Zone
Inglewood turns into a true event neighborhood during All-Star Weekend, with major programming clustered around Intuit Dome and the Kia Forum. Even if you never scan a ticket, you still get the buzz of arrivals, vendors popping up, and jerseys taking over sidewalks.
Start earlier than you think, then use the gaps between crowd waves to eat and reset. Stay flexible: when a corner clogs, slip one block away for food and re-enter the action later. That rhythm keeps the day fun instead of feeling like a slow-motion traffic jam.
Use Metro To Hop Between Downtown and Inglewood Without Parking Drama
Los Angeles Metro published an All-Star Weekend guide aimed at getting riders to Intuit Dome, which is a strong hint that transit can be the cleanest move for visitors. Pair that with a light bag, since venue bag policies are strict and can vary by site.
Make the ride useful instead of dead time. Queue up a playlist, track the schedule, and step off ready to walk, not ready to hunt for your car. When crowds surge after a headline moment, transit can also make your exit feel far less stressful than a parking-lot standoff.
Use L.A. Live as Your Downtown Base for Food, Screens, and Atmosphere
L.A. LIVE sits beside Crypto.com Arena and packs in restaurants and entertainment, which makes it a natural between-events hangout. It also keeps you close to the Los Angeles Convention Center, so you can bounce to NBA Crossover without a complicated commute.
Think of this area as your recharge station. A relaxed meal here beats sprinting across town, and it’s an easy place to watch broadcasts with a crowd that actually cares what’s happening on screen. Gaps in your day are not wasted time if you spend them somewhere that feels alive.
Do the Star Plaza Statue Walk Outside crypto.com Arena
Outside Crypto.com Arena, Star Plaza has a lineup of statues honoring Los Angeles sports legends, including multiple Lakers icons. It’s free, photo-friendly, and it works as a quick “mini museum” you can do in 20 minutes, or stretch longer if you like reading plaques.
Go at dusk for the best lighting, then continue on foot into L.A. LIVE for dinner. It’s also a solid meet-up point if your group keeps getting separated by crowds. A simple “meet by the statue” plan can save everyone’s mood.
Shoot Hoops at Venice Beach for the Classic L.A. Basketball Postcard
Venice Beach’s outdoor courts are one of the most famous hoops backdrops in the country, and pickup games are part of the local mythology. A morning visit gives you better light, lighter crowds, and a better chance to actually play instead of only watching.
Bring a layer, because the ocean breeze can surprise you in winter. Even a short shootaround works as a perfect palate cleanser after a loud festival day. Finish with a boardwalk walk, and you’ve added a real L.A. chapter to the trip.
Look for NBA Cares Community Events and Youth Clinics Happening Across the City
All-Star week typically includes social impact and youth basketball programming across Los Angeles tied to NBA Cares and Jr. NBA initiatives. Some elements are geared toward participants and volunteers, so availability can depend on sign-ups, capacity, and last-minute updates.
This option is underrated because it trades spectacle for meaning. If your travel style leans toward doing something real and then celebrating, this is the move. Pick one session that fits your schedule, and you’ll leave with a story that isn’t only about what you watched.