The festivities will also see the return of the Ruffles® NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Green Carpet, presented by Wingstop, with coverage across NBA and ESPN social platforms
.jpg)
In a landmark moment for Indian hip-hop on the global stage, multi-platinum rapper and entertainment icon Badshah is set to become the first-ever Indian rapper to take part in the Ruffles® NBA All-Star Celebrity Game 2026. The game will be held at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, on February 13, 2026, and will air live at 7:00 p.m. ET exclusively on ESPN.
Marking his debut at the fan-favourite global sporting spectacle, Badshah will join a star-studded lineup of celebrities spanning music, film, television, sports and digital culture. Known for his high-octane stage presence, the rapper is expected to bring his trademark energy both on and off the court during NBA All-Star Weekend.
Badshah’s inclusion follows an eventful and record-breaking 2025 that saw him expand his global footprint well beyond music. Over the year, he became the first rapper worldwide to co-create a Maybach Eyewear range, made history as the first Asian rapper to announce a headline show at The O2 in London, and hosted the largest and most successful Indian hip-hop tour in North America. His cultural crossover extended into fashion and business, with appearances at Paris Men’s Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week, collaborations with international artists Davido and Ali El Arabi, and the launch of his own pizza and vodka brands.
Reacting to the announcement, Badshah said, “I’m beyond excited to be part of this incredible event and take Indian hip-hop center court during NBA All-Star Weekend. Basketball has always been one of my biggest passions, and playing on the same court as legends from the NBA, NFL, Hollywood and music is truly an honour. The NBA represents a powerful mix of sport, culture and self-expression, and as basketball’s fan base continues to grow in India, it’s exciting to represent that energy on a global stage. I can’t wait to bring my energy, my game and some unforgettable moments for fans around the world.”
Badshah joins a dynamic celebrity roster that includes Emmy®-winning actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key, multi-platinum producer and DJ Mustard, rapper GloRilla, former NBA All-Star Jeremy Lin, NFL star Keenan Allen, ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania, social media creator Jenna Bandy, singer-songwriter Adrien Nuñez, former NBA player Tacko Fall, Phoenix Suns Chairman and Governor Mat Ishbia, and Charlotte Hornets Co-Chairman and Governor Rick Schnall, among others.
Returning to the Celebrity Game are reigning MVP Rome Flynn, Marvel Studios star Simu Liu, seven-time Olympic medallist Andre De Grasse, Chinese actor and singer Dylan Wang, and NBA champion Jason “White Chocolate” Williams.
Coaching duties for the 2026 edition will be led by two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, former MLB MVP Mookie Betts, renowned shooting coach Lethal Shooter, Emmy®-winning actor Anthony Anderson, and elite player development trainer Chris Brickley.
Adding to the entertainment quotient, the game will feature a special halftime performance by five-member K-pop group CORTIS, recently named part of the NBA’s “Friends of the NBA” program, which connects the league with influential celebrities across Asia.
The festivities will also see the return of the Ruffles® NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Green Carpet, presented by Wingstop, with coverage across NBA and ESPN social platforms. Monica McNutt will host the broadcast and present the MVP trophy, while Mark Jones will handle play-by-play commentary alongside analyst Richard Jefferson.
Fan-favourite in-game moments such as Ruffles® 4-Point Ridgeline and Ruffles® Crunch Time will once again feature during the match. Tickets for the 2026 Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game are available at nbaevents.nba.com/all-star, with further details accessible on the official event site.