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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Sports Desk • All-Star Game

All Stars

All Stars is a sports term for elite players selected from across a league or competition, often to form an all-star team or take part in an all-star game.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

All Stars is a term for top performers, most commonly used in sports to describe elite players selected for special recognition or exhibition events. It has also expanded to describe outstanding groups in entertainment and other fields.

What it is

An all-star is an outstanding performer or participant in a field. In sports, it usually means a player chosen as one of the best in a league or competition. The term originated in North American sports usage and is now common worldwide.

All-Star Games and Selection

All-star games are exhibition matches showcasing top players, often held annually. Selection methods vary by league but commonly combine fan voting, player voting, media voting, and coach selection. Some leagues distinguish between starters and reserves.

Broader use

Outside sports, all-star can describe casts, musical lineups, or groups made up of prominent performers. This broader usage developed from the sports sense and is now common in entertainment and other fields.

In short

  • All-star refers to an outstanding performer in a field.
  • In sports, all-stars are selected from multiple teams within a league.
  • All-star games are exhibition events that showcase top players.
  • Selection involves fans, players, media, and coaches.
Canadian angle

Canadian readers may know the term from North American leagues such as the NHL, NBA, and MLB, all of which have all-star selections or events involving Canadian players and teams.

Quick questions

What is all stars?
All Stars usually means a group of top performers or, in sports, players selected for special recognition or an all-star team.
What is all star voting?
All-star voting is the process used to choose all-star players, often involving fans, current players, media members, or coaches.
What is all star weekend?
All-Star Weekend is the multi-day event around an all-star game, usually including the main game and other fan events or competitions.

Sources

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-star
    Supports: General definition of all-star and its origin in sports.
  2. Merriam-Websterhttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/all-star
    Supports: Dictionary definition of all-star as an outstanding performer and member of an all-star team.
  3. NBAhttps://www.nba.com/news/nba-all-star-faq-2026
    Supports: NBA All-Star selection process, All-Star Weekend format, and the exhibition nature of the event.
  4. Collins Dictionaryhttps://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/all-star
    Supports: Definition of all-star in sports and broader entertainment usage.