NHL Explores Future of All-Star Game After Four Nations Success

The league is reconsidering its All-Star format following the acclaimed 2025 Four Nations Face-Off and plans to announce 2026 event details by mid-April.

The 2025 Four Nations Face-Off replaced the traditional NHL All-Star Game and received widespread fan approval, with Canada defeating the United States in the final on Connor McDavid's overtime goal.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed the league has not committed to a traditional All-Star Game for 2026, citing the need to meet heightened expectations set by the Four Nations tournament.
The Four Nations Face-Off marked the NHL's first best-on-best international competition since 2016 and was seen as a precursor to NHL players participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The NHL is in discussions with the IIHF to finalize plans for player participation in the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, with meetings scheduled later this month.
The league plans to announce its decision on the 2026 All-Star format, which will be hosted at UBS Arena, before the playoffs begin in mid-April 2025.