What Time Does the NBA Dunk Contest Start Today? TV Channel, Schedule, Live Streams, Format for 2026 All-Star Event

The 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend reaches its crescendo on Saturday, Feb. 14, when the league’s high-flying stars take center stage at Intuit Dome for the annual Slam Dunk Contest. The marquee event of All-Star Saturday Night is scheduled to tip off at approximately 8 p.m. ET, immediately following the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest.

Fans can watch every dunk live on NBC or stream the action in real time via Peacock, NBCUniversal’s flagship platform. Peacock’s sports portfolio also includes NFL Sunday Night Football, Premier League soccer, Big Ten basketball, and Olympic coverage, with subscription plans starting at $10.99 per month and no long-term commitment.

Format at a Glance Each competitor will execute two dunks in the opening round. A panel of four judges—scoring each attempt on a 40-to-50 scale—will be joined by a composite fan vote submitted through the NBA app; the aggregated fan tally acts as the fifth judge. The two participants with the highest combined averages advance to the finals, where another two dunks apiece will decide the champion. The dunker with the top cumulative score from all five judges earns the 2026 crown.

With tip-off locked in for 8 p.m. ET and multiple ways to tune in, the league’s most theatrical showcase is set to deliver another unforgettable night of aerial artistry.