NBA 3-Point Contest 2026: How to watch, format, points, money balls, participants, past champions
NBA 3-Point Contest 2026: How to watch, format, points, money balls, participants, past champions
The lights at the Intuit Dome are set for a historic Saturday night in Inglewood. As the NBA All-Star Weekend descends on the Los Angeles Clippers’ state-of-the-art arena, the Starry 3-Point Contest stands out as the premier event of the evening. With the league’s offensive explosion continuing to rewrite record books, this year’s shootout promises high drama on a unique stage.
How to Watch
For the first time since 2002, NBA All-Star Saturday Night returns to NBC as part of the league’s new media rights deal. Due to the concurrent coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, the event has a special start time.
* Date: Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026
* Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
* TV/Streaming: NBC and Peacock
Format and Rules
The structure remains a test of speed, stamina, and precision. Competitors have 70 seconds to shoot 27 balls across five racks.
* Standard Racks: Four racks contain four official game balls (1 point) and one multi-colored money ball (2 points).
* Money Ball Rack: One rack consists entirely of money balls. Players can position this rack at any of the five shooting locations—a crucial strategic decision.
* Starry Range: Two deep shot zones, located six feet behind the 3-point line between the racks, feature a white ball worth 3 points.
* Total Score: A perfect round totals 40 points.
The Field
The 2026 roster features a mix of legendary snipers and the next generation of sharpshooters. Headlining the field is Damian Lillard, looking to extend his dominance in the event, alongside former champion Devin Booker and Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell. The field of eight will compete in a first round, with the top three scores advancing to the championship round.
Past Champions
The contest’s lineage is royalty. Larry Bird set the standard with the inaugural three-peat (1986-88). In the modern era, Stephen Curry (2015, 2021) and Lillard have defined the competition. As the event tips off in Los Angeles, the winner will join a fraternity that includes legends like Dirk Nowitzki, Ray Allen, and Klay Thompson.
With the "Roundball Rock" theme song back on the airwaves and the Intuit Dome hosting its first All-Star festivities, Saturday night is poised to be an instant classic.
The lights at the Intuit Dome are set for a historic Saturday night in Inglewood. As the NBA All-Star Weekend descends on the Los Angeles Clippers’ state-of-the-art arena, the Starry 3-Point Contest stands out as the premier event of the evening. With the league’s offensive explosion continuing to rewrite record books, this year’s shootout promises high drama on a unique stage.
How to Watch
For the first time since 2002, NBA All-Star Saturday Night returns to NBC as part of the league’s new media rights deal. Due to the concurrent coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, the event has a special start time.
* Date: Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026
* Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
* TV/Streaming: NBC and Peacock
Format and Rules
The structure remains a test of speed, stamina, and precision. Competitors have 70 seconds to shoot 27 balls across five racks.
* Standard Racks: Four racks contain four official game balls (1 point) and one multi-colored money ball (2 points).
* Money Ball Rack: One rack consists entirely of money balls. Players can position this rack at any of the five shooting locations—a crucial strategic decision.
* Starry Range: Two deep shot zones, located six feet behind the 3-point line between the racks, feature a white ball worth 3 points.
* Total Score: A perfect round totals 40 points.
The Field
The 2026 roster features a mix of legendary snipers and the next generation of sharpshooters. Headlining the field is Damian Lillard, looking to extend his dominance in the event, alongside former champion Devin Booker and Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell. The field of eight will compete in a first round, with the top three scores advancing to the championship round.
Past Champions
The contest’s lineage is royalty. Larry Bird set the standard with the inaugural three-peat (1986-88). In the modern era, Stephen Curry (2015, 2021) and Lillard have defined the competition. As the event tips off in Los Angeles, the winner will join a fraternity that includes legends like Dirk Nowitzki, Ray Allen, and Klay Thompson.
With the "Roundball Rock" theme song back on the airwaves and the Intuit Dome hosting its first All-Star festivities, Saturday night is poised to be an instant classic.
