The Slam Dunk Contest remains one of the most anticipated events of All-Star Saturday Night, and the 2026 edition brings back the classic format fans know and love. Held during NBA All-Star Weekend 2026, the contest features elite high-flyers competing for one of basketball’s most iconic trophies.
Here’s a complete breakdown of the 2026 Slam Dunk Contest rules, scoring system, and format.
Official Event Overview
- Event: AT&T Slam Dunk Contest (2026 edition)
- Date: February 14, 2026
- Venue: Intuit Dome (Inglewood, California)
- Broadcast: NBC and Peacock
- League: NBA
2026 Slam Dunk Contest Format
The competition follows a two-round structure with four participants.
Round 1: Opening Round
- Four players compete.
- Each player performs two dunks.
- Judges score each dunk individually.
- Scores are combined from both dunks.
- The top two total scores advance to the final round.
This opening round rewards creativity, difficulty, execution, and crowd reaction.
Round 2: Championship Round
- The two finalists perform two additional dunks each.
- Judges score both dunks.
- The player with the higher combined score in the final round wins the contest.
Important: There are no carryover points from Round 1 — the championship is decided solely by final-round performance.
How Slam Dunk Contest Scoring Works
Judging Panel
- A panel of basketball legends, former players, or celebrities serves as judges.
- Each judge assigns a score for every dunk.
- Individual dunk scores typically range from 40 to 50 points.
- A 50-point dunk is considered perfect.
What Judges Look For
- Creativity and originality
- Degree of difficulty
- Clean execution
- Athleticism
- Crowd and visual impact
Missed attempts can affect scoring, but contestants are usually allowed multiple attempts within a time limit to complete a dunk.
Number of Participants in 2026
The 2026 contest features four competitors, all aiming to make a statement on All-Star Saturday Night. Each athlete must deliver two high-level dunks immediately — there’s no room for slow starts.
Why the Slam Dunk Contest Still Matters
The Slam Dunk Contest has produced legendary moments throughout All-Star history. From gravity-defying acrobatics to viral in-game creativity, the event remains one of the most replayed and talked-about competitions in professional basketball.
With the 2026 edition returning to a streamlined two-round format, fans can expect:
- Faster pacing
- Higher stakes
- Back-to-back highlight dunks
- Dramatic final-round showdowns
How to Watch the 2026 Slam Dunk Contest
Fans can watch live coverage through:
- NBC (TV broadcast)
- Peacock (Streaming platform)
The contest is part of All-Star Saturday Night, which also includes the Three-Point Contest and Skills Challenge.
Final Takeaway
The 2026 Slam Dunk Contest keeps things simple and explosive:
- Four competitors
- Two rounds
- Two dunks per round
- Top two advance
- Final-round score determines the champion
Expect elite athleticism, creative innovation, and at least one perfect 50 that brings the crowd to its feet at Intuit Dome.