PBA All-Star Voting Kicks Off for Golden Anniversary Celebration
Fans of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) can now officially participate in shaping the upcoming Season 50 Philippine Cup All-Star Game. Voting for their favorite players commenced on December 5, 2025, marking the start of the selection process for this highly anticipated event.
Historic Return to Candon City
The All-Star Game itself is scheduled for March 2026 at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur. PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial expressed his excitement, stating, "I know the fans have missed this All-Stars, so we are bringing it back next year in Candon, Ilocos Sur." He revealed that preparations for hosting the All-Star weekend in Candon City under Mayor Eric Singson have been in the works for two years, as part of the league's golden anniversary preparations.
This event marks a significant return for the All-Star weekend, which has been absent from the league's calendar, making its comeback a central part of the PBA's 50th-season festivities.
Classic Formats Make a Welcome Comeback
For the main event in 2026, the PBA is reviving a fan-favorite format that has not been used since the 2019 All-Star weekend in Calasiao, Pangasinan. The classic North versus South showdown will return as the main event.
Furthermore, the weekend's opener will feature a matchup between Rookies/Sophomores and the Juniors, a format also last seen in 2019. This return to traditional formats replaces the NBA-inspired system used in the two most recent All-Star editions, where the two players with the most votes became team captains.
Fans can cast their votes through online platforms or at in-game venues. The voting announcement coincided with a December 5 doubleheader at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, featuring games between Converge and Magnolia, and defending champion San Miguel against TNT.
