NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman ‘re-evaluating’ format of 2026 All-Star Game following MASSIVE success of 4 Nations Face-Off

In the 2024-25 season, the NHL took a bold step. They would replace the annual All-Star Game and replaced it with the best-on-best international event, 4 Nations-Face Off. Following the massive success of this new event, Gary Bettman and his team are now ‘re-evaluating‘ the format for the 2026 ASG.

The 4 Nations Face-Off was the first international event where hockey stars represented their national teams and took on other teams since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. This long wait saw fans tune in to large numbers to face countries taking on each other once again.

This event turned out to be a huge hit for the NHL. The final championship game between the USA and Canada recorded a viewership of 16.1 million in North America. This turned out to be second most viewed hockey match in the past decade, just behind Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup finals between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers.

The success of the 4 Nations Face-Off has led to Bettman rethinking the current format of the All-Star Game. The 2026 edition is currently scheduled to take place at the UBS Arena, home of the New York Islanders.

We’re re-evaluating how we want to do things because I think we’ve raised the bar about as high as you can for an All-Star Game in any sport. We want to make sure whatever we do is up to the standards that we’ve created.

Gary Bettman said as per NHL.com

Gary Bettman confirms the NHL isn't committed to holding the 2026 All-Star Game. Ongoing discussions about where things go. He says the 4 Nations Face-Off "raised the bar."

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 19, 2025

The 2026 All-Star Game is also scheduled to take place before the Winter Games in Milan. It is likely that this event will become an un-official send-off for players who will represent their countries and hope to bring home the gold medal.

Will the 4 Nations Face-Off ever return?

After the success of the 4 Nations Face-Off, fans on social media have demanded it to be permanently take place and replace the All-Star Game. While the league now tries to find ways to make the ASG even better, there are also questions on whether the 4 Nations Face-Off ever return?

The 4 Nations Face-Off was the first international event in hockey in over 9 years. The league had previously blocked off the players from competing in the 2018 and 2022 Winter Games. So, the fans were eager to see the top players from hockey compete on the international stage once again.

The lack of international games was one of the huge factors why the 4 Nations Face-Off was so successful. Going forward, there will be international events. While players will take part in the 2026 and the 2030 Winter Games, the World Cup of Hockey will also mark its return after 12 years and take place in 2028.

When asked about its return, Bettman claimed that they did not have the answers to this question as of yet. If the 4 Nations Face-Off does not return, Canada will be the only team to win this event and have this trophy in their cabinet.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the NHL currently has 0 plans to host 4 Nations again in ‘27 or ‘29, a league spox confirmed to @novy_williams.

But hey, the Olympics and World Cup of Hockey are on the horizon…

— Mark J. Burns (@markjburns88) February 21, 2025

One thing the NHL could do is make the 4 Nations Face-Off a biennial event. This could see the tournament return in 2027 and 2029 as currently no international competition is scheduled in those years. In the end, it will be about Bettman and his team to decide.

Gary Bettman shuts down talks of changing regular-season overtime and playoff format

One thing that has been highly talked about in recent weeks has been the changing of the playoff format and the regular-season overtime period. While speaking with the reporters on Wednesday, Gary Bettman shut down talks about both.

An extension in the length of overtime was reported in consideration after the NHL experimented with a new 10-minute 3-on-3 format. However, Bettman has refused to make changes regarding this.

I’m not a fan of the extended overtime because of ice conditions and the wear and tear on the players who would be playing the additional five minutes.

Gary Bettman told the media after the 2025 GM Meetings

Bettman says he is “not a fan” of extending length of 3-on-3 overtime for deterioration of ice conditions and the additional wear and tear on players.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 19, 2025

The current playoff format is also something that has been scrutinized by the fans. At the moment, the division winners play a wild card team while the second and third place team take on each other in Round 1.

As of now, some strong contenders for the Stanley Cup are in 2nd and 3rd spots. This could see some big names suffer an early exit from the playoffs. The NHL Commissioner has declined to alter this.

I’m pretty dug in on this, I like exactly what we have… Best team to win the Cup has got to get through the best teams. And having great matchups in the first rounds, that’s not a problem, that’s a great thing.

Gary Bettman added

I asked Gary Bettman whether he envisioned talking to the NHLPA about changing the playoff format in upcoming CBA talks, going back to the old 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7 etc format. An empathic No from the commissioner. He likes the format the way it is now.

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 19, 2025

The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs will kick off from next month and last around 2 months. So far, the San Jose Sharks are the only team who have been mathematically eliminated from the contention.