NHL All-Star Game Returns in 2027 with New International Format and $1 Million Skills Competition.

The NHL has officially announced the return of its All-Star Weekend in 2027, introducing a revamped international format that will bring together some of the league's biggest stars in a unique five-team tournament.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and the NHL Players' Association unveiled the details ahead of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, confirming that the event will take place on February 5-6, 2027, at UBS Arena, home of the New York Islanders.

International Tournament Takes Center Stage

The 2027 NHL All-Star Game will feature five national teams competing in a three-on-three round-robin tournament. The participating teams will represent Canada, Finland, Sweden, the United States, and a World Team composed of players from countries not represented by the other four nations.

Each roster will include 11 players — nine skaters and two goaltenders.

The NHL and NHLPA will initially nominate 30 players from each team for the 2027 NHL All-Star Fan Vote, scheduled to open in December 2026. Fans will select eight players per team, while the remaining three roster spots — one forward, one defenseman, and one goaltender — will be jointly chosen by the league and players' association.

During the tournament, each team will play four five-minute games. Wins will earn two points, ties one point, and losses zero points. There will be no overtime or shootout during the round-robin stage.

The two teams with the highest point totals will advance to a 10-minute championship game, with the winning team sharing a $2 million prize.

New-Look Skills Competition

The All-Star Skills Competition, scheduled for February 5, will spotlight the NHL's next generation of talent.

Ten players aged 25 or younger will compete across eight events for the title of NHL All-Star Skills Champion and a $1 million prize.

The opening six events will include:

Fastest Skater
Hardest Shot
Passing Challenge
One-Timers
Stick Handling
Accuracy Shooting

Each participant will compete in four of those six disciplines, earning points based on their performance.

The top four scorers will advance to a shootout round against All-Star goaltenders. The two best performers from the shootout will then move on to the Obstacle Course Finale, where the overall champion will be crowned.

NHL Embraces International Calendar

The league also revealed plans to hold the NHL All-Star Game every other year moving forward. International competitions will occupy the alternate years, including the World Cup of Hockey in 2028 and NHL player participation in the 2030 Winter Olympics.

Russian players will be eligible to participate in the 2027 All-Star Game. However, the NHL and NHLPA have yet to determine whether Russia will be included in the 2028 World Cup of Hockey. League officials indicated they will continue to follow guidance from the International Ice Hockey Federation regarding Russian participation in international events.

Bettman Addresses Retirement Speculation

During his media availability, Bettman also responded to recent reports suggesting that the league has begun preparing a succession plan for the longtime commissioner.

"Reports of my demise — or retirement — are greatly exaggerated," Bettman joked.

While acknowledging that succession discussions have occurred over the past several years, the 74-year-old commissioner emphasized that no transition is imminent.

Bettman also defended the NHL's current Stanley Cup Playoff format amid ongoing debate about returning to a traditional 1-through-8 conference seeding system. According to Bettman, the existing structure consistently produces highly competitive matchups and longer playoff series.

With a fresh international concept, significant prize money, and an increased focus on young stars, the NHL is aiming to reinvent its All-Star Weekend and deliver a more competitive showcase for fans when the event returns to New York in 2027.

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