• Loading stock data...
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

What Is The Most Watched NBA All-Star Game of All Time?

  • The annual mid-February showcase is considered the crown jewel event for the Association.
  • Over the years, ratings have dropped considerably, and eight of the top 10 were in the 1990s.
Kobe Bryant and LeBron James at 2013 NBA All Star Game.
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA All-Star Game, which annually showcases the global game for three days in mid-February, is considered the crown jewel event for the Association.

Michael Jordan. Larry Bird. Magic Johnson. LeBron James. Kobe Bryant.

Over the years, these players and many others have shown off their talent during the weekend events, which conclude in an exhibition basketball game.

The game has evolved over the years, including a format change: The 2017 New Orleans game was the last to feature Eastern vs. Western Conference All-Stars. Beginning in 2018 in Los Angeles, the top two vote-getters were elected captains and drafted their teams.

If viewership was considered the barometer of success for the event, then the 1990s should be regarded as the Golden Age: Eight of the top 10 games were played in the 1990s.

Maybe NBC, which broadcast those eight games, is looking at that data; recent news suggests the network may want to return to the NBA business.

The most-viewed All-Star Game was in 1993 in Salt Lake City, which amassed 22.91 million viewers on NBC. That game featured the likes of Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen, Clyde Drexler, and hosts Karl Malone and John Stockton.

Over the years, ratings have dropped considerably. The last time an All-Star Game surpassed 10 million viewers was the 2003 game in Atlanta in TNT’s debut broadcast. The highest since then was the 2011 Game in Las Angeles, where TNT garnered just over 9 million viewers.

Can this year’s All-Star Game in Salt Lake City recapture the magic from 30 years ago? The trends say no, although the 2022 Cleveland All-Star Game saw a slight increase to 6.28 million over the 2021 Atlanta Game, which had 5.94 million.

Top Most Viewed All-Star Games

YearCityNetworkViewership
1993Salt Lake CityNBC22.914 million
1992OrlandoNBC18.828 million
1996San AntonioNBC17.459 million
1998New YorkNBC16.931 million
1997ClevelandNBC16.903 million
1995PhoenixNBC15.775 million
1994MinneapolisNBC13.670 million
1990MiamiCBS13.200 million
2002PhiladelphiaNBC13.103 million
2003AtlantaTNT10.829 million
Nielson Ratings

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mar 3, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) warms up prior to the game against the Washington Wizards at Kaseya Center.
Sponsored

Hornets Cancel Sports Betting Night Vs. Heat Over Terry Rozier Tie-In

Terry Rozier is under federal investigation for point-shaving in a 2023 game when he was on the Hornets.
Jun 27, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of a Wilson basketball and the Dallas Wings logo during the game between the Wings and the Indiana Fever at the American Airlines Center.

Democratic Women’s Caucus Urges WNBA To End CBA Stalemate

The league and WNBPA must reach an agreement by Oct. 31.
Feb 15, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks in a press conference during All Star Saturday Night ahead of the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center.

Silver Says Free Highlights Are an Issue As NBA Begins $77B Deal

Silver called basketball a “highlight-based sport.”
May 3, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) controls the ball in the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets during game seven of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena.

Clippers Minority Owner Allegedly Invested in Aspiration to Pay Kawhi

Minority investor Dennis Wong allegedly invested in Aspiration as well.

Featured Today

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Should Help NFL Set More Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
opinion
September 9, 2025

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from NFL’s Week 1 Broadcasts

Many viewers decried the addition of ads to “NFL RedZone.”
Sep 6, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; General view of a Fox Sports camera station before the game between the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field.

Lachlan Murdoch on Fox’s Sports Strategy, FanDuel Plans

The executive calls a forthcoming streaming bundle with ESPN “essential” for fans.
September 4, 2025

TNT Sports to Try Its Own Streaming App After WBD Split

TNT Sports will have its own app as a corporate split approaches.
September 5, 2025

NFL’s Expected Early-Season Ratings Boost Gets Off to a Stormy Start

The kickoff game somewhat resembles the delays last year in an SNF game.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Eagles
September 4, 2025

The Death of Streameast Has Been Greatly Exaggerated

Mirror sites began popping up Thursday, the day the NFL season begins.
September 4, 2025

3 ABC Games Top 10M Viewers Each in ESPN’s Record CFB Weekend

Miami–Notre Dame led the way with 10.8 million viewers.
September 4, 2025

Bill Belichick’s UNC Debut Draws More Than 6M Viewers on ESPN

TCU-UNC was the fifth-most-watched college football game of Week 1.
September 3, 2025

Ohio State–Texas Showdown Was Most-Watched Week 1 CFB Game Ever

Fox drew 16.62 million viewers on Saturday afternoon.