Overview
- The February sendoff event at the New York Islanders’ UBS Arena has been called off, according to two people with knowledge of the decision.
- ESPN first reported the move, and The Associated Press corroborated it with anonymous sources because the league has not announced it publicly.
- UBS Arena had previously been designated for a 2026 All-Star Weekend to serve as a gathering point for teams flying from JFK to the Milan Olympics.
- League officials had indicated the Islanders were likely to land the All-Star event in the odd year between the Olympics and the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, with Feb. 5–7, 2027 identified as the preferred window.
- Officials are evaluating alternatives to the skills-and-3-on-3 format after the 4 Nations Face-Off’s success, with the NBA’s U.S.-vs.-World approach cited as a reference point.