2027 NHL All-Star Game returns to UBS Arena with international twist

The New York Islanders and UBS Arena will host the 2027 NHL All-Star Game with five international teams competing for a $2 million prize in February 2027.

Return after hiatus

The announcement came prior to Game 1 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA Executive Director Marty Walsh revealed the Islanders as hosts. The event follows the 2025 Four Nations Face-Off and 2026 Olympics, which eliminated the All-Star Game in those years.

NHLPA Executive Director Marty Walsh stated that the 2027 NHL All-Star Game will serve as a prelude to the 2028 World Cup of Hockey. The five-team structure incorporates national representation from the United States, Canada, Sweden, Finland and a World team that includes Russian athletes as an NHL-sanctioned event.

This format contrasts with prior All-Star Games that featured divisional or conference matchups. The international focus aligns directly with the upcoming World Cup cycle, providing a competitive test run three years after the last traditional event.

Five-team 3-on-3 tournament

Each of the five teams fields 11 players consisting of nine skaters and two goaltenders. Both the NHL and NHLPA select the 30 total players, while fans vote for eight participants per team.

The teams play a round-robin of 3-on-3 games. Each squad plays four 5-minute games without overtime or shootouts in case of ties. Points award two for a win, one for a tie and zero for a loss. The top two teams advance to a 10-minute final for the $2 million prize.

The structure delivers 20 total round-robin games plus one final across the weekend. This compressed schedule emphasizes speed and skill over traditional 5-on-5 play, mirroring the 3-on-3 overtime format already used in regular-season games.

Revamped skills competition

Ten players aged 25 or younger participate in eight events chosen by the NHL and NHLPA. Each young star competes in four of the first six events: Fastest Skater, Hardest Shot, Passing Challenge, One Timers, Stick Handling and Accuracy Shooting.

Players earn points based on placement in each event. The top four advance to a shootout against four All-Star goaltenders. The top two shootout performers then compete in the Obstacle Course Finale. The highest cumulative scorer claims the $1 million prize as All-Star Skills Champion.

This youth-focused skills format replaces the previous Young Stars Game while still highlighting emerging talent. The $1 million individual prize doubles the previous top payout structure and ties directly to performance across multiple measured disciplines.

The 2027 event therefore combines an international team tournament with a high-stakes individual skills showcase, both carrying substantial cash prizes that exceed prior All-Star incentives.