NHL Teases New Era for All-Star Showcase Ahead of 2026

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The NHL is preparing for a transformative all-star showcase in 2026, following the successful 4 Nations Face-Off that replaced the traditional All-Star Game this past February. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced initiatives for the upcoming event set to take place at UBS Arena during the league’s annual general manager meetings.

“We’re reevaluating how we want to do things because I think we’ve raised the bar about as high as you can for an all-star game in any sport,” Bettman said. “We want to ensure whatever we do meets the standards we’ve created.” The 4 Nations Face-Off brought NHL stars from Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Finland into a round-robin competition, culminating in Canada clinching the championship with an overtime goal against the U.S. This event marked the NHL’s return to best-on-best international competition since the 2016 World Cup.

With the overwhelming positive response to the 4 Nations, the league is contemplating new changes for future all-star events. Bettman hinted that an announcement regarding the all-star game format is still in development, stating, “We’ve promised the Islanders an event. We’re focused on what we need to do.” He urged not to speculate on specific formats until more concrete plans are made.

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly expressed that “everything is on the table” in terms of event design and that an announcement could come before the playoffs commence in mid-April. With critical collective bargaining discussions ahead—the current CBA expiring in September 2026—the NHL is looking to solidify its direction in both gameplay and event formats.

While detailed plans remain under wraps, discussions will begin within the week of April 1 to address logistics surrounding player contracts and operations. Bettman expressed optimism, citing no major hurdles ahead in negotiations with the NHL Players’ Association. “I don’t think on either side we’re looking at fundamental issues,” he remarked.

Additionally, one potential negotiating point is the NCAA’s recent decision to allow players from the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) to maintain college eligibility, a change influenced by prior restrictions surrounding CHL skaters and NHL contracts. However, Bettman reaffirmed that no changes to the playoff format are anticipated for the foreseeable future. “I like exactly what we have,” he stated, maintaining that the current structure fuels exciting competition and playoff races.

Looking ahead to June, the NHL will also implement a decentralized draft format for the 2025 entry draft, allowing one representative from each team in Los Angeles while the majority of their staff remains at home. This decision aligns with feedback from the franchises, and Bettman indicated a willingness to revisit this format based on team input following the draft.

As the league heads towards a strategic shift in hosting all-star events, officials emphasize the primary goal remains focused on enhancing fan engagement and showcasing the sport’s top talent.