All-star game
Encyclopedia
An all-star game is an exhibition game
played by the best players in their sports league
, except in the circumstances of professional sports systems in which a democratic voting system is used. The players are often chosen by a popular vote of fans of the sport
and the game often occurs at the halfway point of the regular season, although this is not the case for some all-star games (such as the Pro Bowl
). The method of choosing teams varies, but the selection is usually based upon geographical situation of the clubs or the nationalities
of the players involved.
All-star games are played as though they are regular games, but since they present a special showcase for skills, they hardly play out that way. Coaches try to get everyone into the game (while constrained by normal substitution rules), with the players not exerting themselves as they would in a regular season game (to minimize the risk of injury.) In hockey, for example, there is no serious checking, while in football no blitzing is allowed. An exception to this rule would be the Australian Rugby League State of Origin
, where physicality at a level often leading to on-field scuffles is fairly common.
The term "all-star" is not generally used outside North America
. Because of the promotion and relegation
system prevalent in most countries, an all-star game would not be necessarily representative of the season's stars. Japan
's J. League All-Star Soccer
is one of the few such games. Moreover, all-star games are not often played in many sports (such as association football) that are popular outside North America because such sports play more games between individual nations, which are usually much more popular than all-star games would be. In the United Kingdom
, all-star teams (both real and fantasy
) are usually denoted with the Roman numeral corresponding to the number of players allowed on the field - for example, a soccer or cricket
XI, a rugby league
XIII and a rugby union
XV.
Major League Baseball is usually recognized as organizing the first professional league all-star game when it was held as part of the 1933 World's Fair
in Chicago
. It was the brainchild of Arch Ward
, then sports editor for The Chicago Tribune. Initially intended to be a one-time event, its great success resulted in making the game an annual one. Ward's contribution was recognized by Major League Baseball in 1962 with the creation of the "Arch Ward Trophy," given to the All-Star Game's most valuable player
each year.
Former events
Other college sports
High school football
High school lacrosse
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
played by the best players in their sports league
Sports league
League is a term commonly used to describe a group of sports teams or individual athletes that compete against each other in a specific sport. At its simplest, it may be a local group of amateur athletes who form teams among themselves and compete on weekends; at its most complex, it can be an...
, except in the circumstances of professional sports systems in which a democratic voting system is used. The players are often chosen by a popular vote of fans of the sport
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
and the game often occurs at the halfway point of the regular season, although this is not the case for some all-star games (such as the Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
). The method of choosing teams varies, but the selection is usually based upon geographical situation of the clubs or the nationalities
Nationality
Nationality is membership of a nation or sovereign state, usually determined by their citizenship, but sometimes by ethnicity or place of residence, or based on their sense of national identity....
of the players involved.
All-star games are played as though they are regular games, but since they present a special showcase for skills, they hardly play out that way. Coaches try to get everyone into the game (while constrained by normal substitution rules), with the players not exerting themselves as they would in a regular season game (to minimize the risk of injury.) In hockey, for example, there is no serious checking, while in football no blitzing is allowed. An exception to this rule would be the Australian Rugby League State of Origin
Rugby League State of Origin
State of Origin is an annual best of three series of rugby league football matches contested by the Maroons and the Blues, who represent the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales respectively...
, where physicality at a level often leading to on-field scuffles is fairly common.
The term "all-star" is not generally used outside North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. Because of the promotion and relegation
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
system prevalent in most countries, an all-star game would not be necessarily representative of the season's stars. Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
's J. League All-Star Soccer
J. League All-Star Soccer
The J. League All-Star Soccer, called JOMO All-Star Soccer for sponsorship reasons, is an annual exhibition match organised by the Japan Football Association and J. League. It has been played each year since the inception of J. League in 1993. The players are chosen by the fan voting and the...
is one of the few such games. Moreover, all-star games are not often played in many sports (such as association football) that are popular outside North America because such sports play more games between individual nations, which are usually much more popular than all-star games would be. In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, all-star teams (both real and fantasy
Fantasy sport
A fantasy sport is a game where participants act as owners to build a team that competes against other fantasy owners based on the statistics generated by the real individual players or teams of a professional sport...
) are usually denoted with the Roman numeral corresponding to the number of players allowed on the field - for example, a soccer or cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
XI, a rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
XIII and a rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
XV.
Major League Baseball is usually recognized as organizing the first professional league all-star game when it was held as part of the 1933 World's Fair
Century of Progress
A Century of Progress International Exposition was the name of a World's Fair held in Chicago from 1933 to 1934 to celebrate the city's centennial. The theme of the fair was technological innovation...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. It was the brainchild of Arch Ward
Arch Ward
Arch Ward was the sports editor for the Chicago Tribune and personal friend of the owner, Robert R. McCormick. He created the MLB All-Star Game, the All-America Football Conference , the Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament and the College All-Star Game. Ward was twice offered the job as...
, then sports editor for The Chicago Tribune. Initially intended to be a one-time event, its great success resulted in making the game an annual one. Ward's contribution was recognized by Major League Baseball in 1962 with the creation of the "Arch Ward Trophy," given to the All-Star Game's most valuable player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
each year.
Professional all-star games
- All Stars Game - National Rugby LeagueNational Rugby LeagueThe National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
- (Indigenous All Stars vs NRL All Stars)
- Note: This annual game involves a publicly voted selection of the best club players from the league versus an AboriginalAustralian AboriginesAustralian Aborigines , also called Aboriginal Australians, from the latin ab originem , are people who are indigenous to most of the Australian continentthat is, to mainland Australia and the island of Tasmania...
team in honour of reconciliationReconciliationReconciliation may variously refer to:* Bank reconciliation* Truth and reconciliation commission-Religion:* Sacrament of Penance , also known as Reconciliation...
- American Hockey League All-Star Game
- ECHL All-Star GameECHL All-Star GameThe ECHL All-Star Game is an exhibition ice hockey game that traditionally marks the midway point of the ECHL's regular season, with many of the league's star players playing against each other. The starting lineup for the two teams, including the starting goaltender, is voted on by the coaches,...
- Major League Baseball All-Star GameMajor League Baseball All-Star GameThe Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
(National LeagueNational LeagueThe National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
vs. American LeagueAmerican LeagueThe American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
) - Honkbal Hoofdklasse All-Star Game (North All-Stars vs. South All-Stars)
- National Basketball Association All-Star GameNational Basketball Association All-Star GameThe National Basketball Association staged its first All-Star Game in the Boston Garden on March 2, 1951. From that year on, the game has matched the best players in the Eastern Conference with the best players in the Western Conference....
(Eastern ConferenceEastern Conference (NBA)The Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association is made up of fifteen teams, organized in three divisions of five teams each.The three division winners and the non-division winner with the best record are seeded 1 through 4 for the playoffs in order of their records, with all...
vs. Western ConferenceWestern Conference (NBA)Below is a list of current Western Conference NBA team rosters.-Western Conference:There are a total of 15 teams in the Western Conference. The current leading team of the Western conference are the Dallas Mavericks....
) - Philippine Basketball Association All-Star GamePhilippine Basketball Association All-Star WeekendThe Philippine Basketball Association All-Star Weekend is the annual gathering of the best players of the Philippine Basketball Association playing for various events such as the 3-point shootout, skills competition such as Obstacle and Trick-shot challenges, Rookies vs...
(South All-Stars vs. North All-Stars) - J. League All-Star SoccerJ. League All-Star SoccerThe J. League All-Star Soccer, called JOMO All-Star Soccer for sponsorship reasons, is an annual exhibition match organised by the Japan Football Association and J. League. It has been played each year since the inception of J. League in 1993. The players are chosen by the fan voting and the...
(J-WEST vs. J-EAST, generally) - Korea Baseball Organization All-Star Game (Eastern vs Western)
- National Hockey League All-Star GameNational Hockey League All-Star GameThe National Hockey League All-Star Game is an exhibition ice hockey game that is traditionally held at the midway point of the regular season of the National Hockey League , with many of the league's star players playing against each other...
- The game has had a number of formats throughout its history.
- The original format, used from 19471st National Hockey League All-Star GameThe First National Hockey League All-Star Game took place at Maple Leaf Gardens, home of the Toronto Maple Leafs, on October 13, 1947. The game saw the Maple Leafs play a team of NHL all-stars. The All-Stars won the game 4–3.-Founding:...
through 196821st National Hockey League All-Star GameThe 21st National Hockey League National Hockey League All-Star Game was played in Maple Leaf Gardens on January 16, 1968, where the host Toronto Maple Leafs battled a team of all-stars from the remaining NHL teams...
with two exceptions, saw the previous season's Stanley Cup champions take on an "All-Star" team made up of the First and Second NHL All-Star Teams plus other star players. - In 19515th National Hockey League All-Star GameThe Fifth National Hockey League All-Star Game took place at Maple Leaf Gardens, home of the Toronto Maple Leafs, on October 9, 1951. Two teams of all-star players played to a 2–2 tie.-Change in format:...
and 19526th National Hockey League All-Star GameThe Sixth National Hockey League All-Star Game took place at the Detroit Olympia, home of the Detroit Red Wings, on October 5, 1952. For the second year in a row, the format had the First and Second All-Star Teams, with additional players on each team, play each other...
, the competing teams were the First NHL All-Star Team, supplemented with stars from the league's American franchises, and the Second NHL All-Star Team, supplemented with stars from Canadian franchises. - Beginning in 196923rd National Hockey League All-Star GameThe 23rd National Hockey League All-Star Game was held in the St. Louis Arena in St. Louis, home of the St. Louis Blues, on January 20, 1970. It was the first time the All-Star Game was held at the St. Louis Arena. The East Division All-Stars defeated the West Division All-Stars 4–1...
and continuing through 200957th National Hockey League All-Star GameThe 57th National Hockey League All-Star Game was held at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, home of the Montreal Canadiens, in conjunction with the Montreal Canadiens centennial celebrations. The game was held between two teams, each representing a conference of the National Hockey League...
, with some exceptions, the format was geographic—most recently Eastern ConferenceEastern Conference (NHL)The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....
vs. Western ConferenceWestern Conference (NHL)The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Eastern Conference....
. - For 19791979 Challenge CupThe 1979 Challenge Cup was an international ice hockey series of games between the Soviet national ice hockey team and a team of all-stars from the National Hockey League, held in New York City. It replaced the NHL's all-star festivities for the 1978–79 NHL season.The Challenge Cup, unlike its...
and 1987Rendez-vous '87Rendez-vous '87 was an international ice hockey series of games between the Soviet national ice hockey team and a team of All-Stars from the National Hockey League, held in Quebec City. It replaced the NHL's All-Star festivities for the 1986–87 NHL season...
, a single team comprising the NHL's best players faced the Soviet national ice hockey teamSoviet national ice hockey teamThe Soviet national ice hockey team , was the national hockey team of the Soviet Union. The Soviets were the most dominant team of all time in international play. The team won nearly every world championship and Olympic tournament between 1954 and 1991 held by the International Ice Hockey Federation...
in a two-game series. - From 199848th National Hockey League All-Star GameThe 48th National Hockey League All-Star Game took place at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, home to the Vancouver Canucks, on January 18, 1998.-The International Showdown:...
through 200252nd National Hockey League All-Star GameThe 52nd National Hockey League All-Star Game took place on February 2, 2002, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The final score was World 8, North America 5. This was the last National Hockey League All-Star Game to have the North America vs...
, the teams were divided by player nationality, with a "North America" team made up of Canadians and Americans and a "World" team drawn from the rest of the world. - In 2006 and 2010, the league did not hold an all-star game, instead releasing its players to play ice hockey at the Olympic GamesIce hockey at the Olympic GamesIce hockey tournaments have been staged at the Olympic Games since 1920. The men's tournament was introduced at the 1920 Summer Olympics and was transferred permanently to the Winter Olympic Games programme in 1924. The women's tournament was first held at the 1998 Winter Olympics...
. The league held an all-star game in addition to releasing its players to the Olympics in 1998 and 2002. - In 201158th National Hockey League All-Star GameThe 58th National Hockey League All-Star Game, also known as the 2011 National Hockey League All-Star Game presented by Discover, was the National Hockey League’s annual All-Star game played on January 30, 2011. The game took place during the 2010–11 NHL season at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North...
, 42 players were selected for the game—six in fan voting, and the other 36 by the league. The selected players then chose two team captains from among their number. Two days before the game, a fantasy draft was held in which each captain took turns in selecting his teammates.
- The original format, used from 1947
- The game has had a number of formats throughout its history.
- Pro BowlPro BowlIn professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
- National Football LeagueNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(American Football ConferenceAmerican Football ConferenceThe American Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the National Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL....
vs. National Football ConferenceNational Football ConferenceThe National Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the American Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL.-Current teams:Since 2002, the NFC has comprised 16 teams,...
)
- Note: In American football, the term "all-star game" refers to the American Football League All-Star game, last played in 1969; or the College All-Star GameCollege All-Star GameThe Chicago Charities College All-Star Game was a preseason American football game played annually from 1934 to 1976 between the National Football League champions and a team of star college seniors from the previous year...
, last played in 1976.- Major League Lacrosse All-Star GameMajor League Lacrosse All-Star GameMajor League Lacrosse All-Star Game is the all-star game of the MLL.The inaugural 2001 All-Star Game, was not called the "All-Star Game"; instead it was titled the Major League Lacrosse LacrosseStar Game. From 2001–2003, the All-Star Game had the National Division playing the American Division...
(Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference) - Major League Soccer All-Star GameMajor League Soccer All-Star GameThe MLS All-Star Game is an annual soccer game held by Major League Soccer featuring selected players from the league against various competitors...
- The game has had several formats throughout its history:
- Originally, the game pitted Eastern Conference and Western Conference all-star teams. This format was used for all games save one from 1996 through 2001, and also in 2004.
- The 1998 game pitted an "MLS USA" team, consisting entirely of Americans, against an "MLS World" team drawn from all other nationalities.
- The 2002 game matched an MLS all-star team against the US national teamUnited States men's national soccer teamThe United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
. - The 2003 game was the first in which an MLS all-star team played a visiting foreign club team. This format has been used ever since, with the exception of 2004.
- The game has had several formats throughout its history:
- NASCAR Sprint All-Star RaceNASCAR Sprint All-Star RaceThe NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, formerly known as The Winston until 2004, then the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge from 2004 until 2007, is a race open to race winners from the previous season as well as the current season, plus the past ten event winners and past decade's Cup Series champions...
(Race winners from previous and current season) - National Lacrosse League All-Star GameNational Lacrosse League All-Star GameNational Lacrosse League All Star Game is a lacrosse game played each year between two teams representing the two divisions of the National Lacrosse League .-1991 :...
(East Division vs. West Division) - Major Indoor Soccer League All-Star GameMajor Indoor Soccer League All-Star GameMajor Indoor Soccer League All-Star Game is a showcase indoor soccer game played each year involving the best players in the current Major Indoor Soccer League . Four games have been played to date.- 2002:...
(Format varies) - WNBA All-Star Game (usually Eastern ConferenceEastern Conference (WNBA)The Eastern Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Eastern Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Western Conference...
vs. Western ConferenceWestern Conference (WNBA)The Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association is made up of six teams.The Western Conference playoffs is divided into two playoff rounds, The Conference Semi-Finals and The Conference Finals with the winner of the Conference Championship facing the Eastern Conference...
)- In 2004 and 2010, the East-West format was not followed; instead, the USA national teamUnited States women's national basketball teamThe United States women's national basketball team are the defending Olympic champions in women's basketball. The team is composed of some of the top American players in the WNBA and the women's college game....
faced a team of WNBA all-stars. These games are not considered official All-Star Games by the league. - In 20082008 WNBA season-Season Highlights:*Candace Parker becomes the second and third player in WNBA history to dunk in a regular season game.*A fight breaks out between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Detroit Shock resulting in four ejections and ten suspensions....
, no All-Star Game was played; the league took a break for the 2008 Summer OlympicsBasketball at the 2008 Summer OlympicsBasketball contests at the 2008 Olympic Games were held from August 9, 2008 to August 24, 2008. Competitions were held at the Wukesong Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China...
.
- In 2004 and 2010, the East-West format was not followed; instead, the USA national team
- Women's Professional Soccer All-Star GameWomen's Professional Soccer All-Star GameThe WPS All-Star Game was founded in the league's inaugural season, originally modeled after the MLS All-Star Game, where the WPS All-Star team play against a club team from a level-one league from another country, though this changed as of the second year to feature two teams of WPS All-Star...
- With the league only having been inaugurated in 2009, no format for the game has yet been established.
- The first game in 2009WPS All-Star 2009The 2009 Women's Professional Soccer All-Star Game was the first WPS All-Star Game. In a format similar to that of recent all-star games in Major League Soccer, the WPS All-Stars played Swedish club powerhouse Umeå IK on August 30, 2009, eight days after the league's championship game...
, which took place after the season, employed a format similar to that of recent MLS All-Star Games, with a team of WPS all-stars taking on a visiting foreign club team (specifically Umeå IKUmeå IKUmeå IK is a prominent women's association football club based in the city of Umeå, Sweden. The club was established in 1917 as a general sports club, and started competing in women's in 1985. In 1996 the team reached the premier division, the Damallsvenskan but was relegated the following year. In...
of SwedenDamallsvenskanThe Damallsvenskan, Swedish for ladies' all-Swedish, is the highest division of women's football in Sweden. It is also referred as to the women's Allsvenskan, this term being used alone to refer to the men's division....
). - The 2010 editionWPS All-Star 2010The 2010 Women's Professional Soccer All-Star Game was the second WPS All-Star Game, taking place on June 30th, 2010. Thirty-six players were divided into two teams with the top US vote-getter and the top international vote-getter as captains...
took place at midseason. Of the 36 players, 22 were selected through a voting process, and the other 14 were selected by the league. The top vote-getters among U.S. and international players, respectively Abby WambachAbby WambachMary Abigail "Abby" Wambach is an American professional soccer player, coach and Olympic gold medalist. A four-time winner of the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award, she has been a regular on the U.S. women's national team since 2003...
and Marta, were named captains. They then picked their first 10 teammates from the remaining 20 All-Stars selected through the voting process, with the league then filling out each roster. - No All-Star Game was held in 20112011 Women's Professional Soccer seasonThe 2011 Women's Professional Soccer season is the third season for the WPS, the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States...
because the season ran up against the Women's World Cup.
- The first game in 2009
- With the league only having been inaugurated in 2009, no format for the game has yet been established.
- Triple-A All-Star GameTriple-A All-Star GameThe Triple-A All-Star Game is a single baseball game held between the two Triple-A leagues in minor league baseball—the International League and the Pacific Coast League...
(Baseball; International LeagueInternational LeagueThe International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
vs. Pacific Coast LeaguePacific Coast LeagueThe Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
) - AIFA Kickoff Classic (American Indoor Football Association All-Stars vs. expansion team)
- Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game
Former events
- Marlboro ChallengeMarlboro ChallengeThe Marlboro Challenge was an all-star CART series race held from 1987-1992, sponsored by cigarrette brand Marlboro. After 1992, the race was discontinued, in part because the Phillip Morris reorganized its race sponsorship after the Marlboro Grand Prix of New York fell through...
(1987–1992, CARTChamp CarChamp Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
series winners from the current and previous seasons) - Canadian Football LeagueCanadian Football LeagueThe Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
All Star Game (East Division Vs. West Division) (?1982, 1988?)
College all-star games
College football- Aztec BowlAztec BowlThe Aztec Bowl is an NCAA-sanctioned college division/minor or Division III post-season bowl game that has been played intermittently since at least 1950....
, features an all-star Mexican team and, currently, an NCAA Division III all-star team - Blue-Gray Football ClassicBlue-Gray Football ClassicThe Blue–Gray Football Classic was an annual American college football all-star game held in Alabama usually on Christmas Day. It was begun in 1939 and held annually through 2001 at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. The game was not contested in 2002 and was subsequently revived in 2003 in...
(defunct) - College All-Star GameCollege All-Star GameThe Chicago Charities College All-Star Game was a preseason American football game played annually from 1934 to 1976 between the National Football League champions and a team of star college seniors from the previous year...
(defunct), featured the defending NFL champions and an all-star team of recent college graduates - Eastham Energy All-Star GameEastham Energy All-Star GameThe Casino del Sol College All-Star Game formerly the Eastham Energy Game' is a post-season college football all-star game that was established in 2011 as part of the post-BCS events. The game is currently played at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Arizona. The game was previous played...
- East-West Shrine GameEast-West Shrine GameThe East–West Shrine Game is an annual post-season college football all-star game played each January since 1925. The game is sponsored by the fraternal group Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the net proceeds are earmarked to some of the Shrine's charitable works, most notably the Shriners...
- Hula BowlHula BowlThe Hula Bowl was an independently administered post-season invitational college football game held each year in Hawaii from 1947 to 2008. The game was last played at Aloha Stadium in the Hālawa district of Honolulu, Hawaii. At one point the longest-running sporting event in Hawaii, it had been...
- Mahi Shrine North–South College All-Star Classic (defunct)
- Magnolia Gridiron All-Star ClassicMagnolia Gridiron All-Star ClassicThe Magnolia Gridiron All-Star Classic was an annual post-season college football all-star game held in December. The game was organized by Darry Alton, who previously helped found the Las Vegas All-American Classic, in view of the discontinuation of the Blue-Gray Football Classic and the Gridiron...
(defunct) - NFLPA Game – This game matches a team of individuals who played either college or high school football in Texas against an all-star team with ties to the rest of the U.S., a format reflected in the game's original name—the "Texas vs. The Nation Game".
- North–South All-American Game (defunct)
- North–South All-Star Classic (defunct)
- Senior BowlSenior BowlThe Senior Bowl is a post-season college football exhibition game played in Mobile, Alabama which showcases the best NFL Draft prospects of those collegiate players who have completed their eligibility. First played in 1950 in Jacksonville, Florida, the game moved to Mobile's Ladd Peebles Stadium...
Other college sports
- North-South Senior All-Star GameNorth-South Senior All-Star GameThe North-South Senior All-Star Game is an annual postseason college lacrosse game featuring the best players from the graduating class. It is hosted by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association , one of the college sport's main governing bodies. The inaugural event occurred in 1940 at...
, the NCAA men's lacrosse all-star games - NCAA vs UAAP, All Star Collegiate Basketball between the top two college leagues in the Philippines
High school all-star games
High school basketball- McDonald's All-American — featuring the most highly recruited high school players from across the nation.
- Jordan Brand All-American - similar game among blue chipBlue chip (sports)The term "blue chip" is commonly used to describe athletes who are being targeted to be drafted or signed by teams at the next level. It is most commonly used to describe high school players being recruited by college teams, but can also refer to collegiate players being scouted by professional...
athletes
High school football
- U.S. Army All-American BowlU.S. Army All-American BowlThe U.S. Army All-American Bowl is a high school football all-star game held in early January in San Antonio, Texas. Currently played in the Alamodome, the game brings 90 of the nation's top high school football players in an East versus West matchup. In addition to the Bowl game, there is the U.S...
- Under Armour All-America GameUnder Armour All-America GameThe Under Armour High School All-America Game is a high school football all-star game typically held in early January in the U.S. state of Florida created to spotlight the nation’s top high school seniors. The game was first played on January 5, 2008 and is annually been played at the Citrus Bowl...
- Offense-Defense All-American BowlOffense-Defense All-American BowlThe Offense-Defense All-American Bowl is an annual high school football all-star game typically held in early January, created to spotlight the nation’s top high-school seniors. The game was originally hosted in the U.S...
- NUC All-World Gridiron Classic
- Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic (AlabamaAlabamaAlabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
vs. MississippiMississippiMississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
) - Big 33 Football ClassicBig 33 Football ClassicThe Big 33 Football Classic is an all-star American football game featuring the top high-school football players in Pennsylvania. Played since 1957, the game is often described as the "Super Bowl of High School Football." The last 14 contests have pitted players from Pennsylvania against players...
(PennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaThe Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
vs. OhioOhioOhio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
) - Bayou BowlBayou BowlThe Bayou Bowl is an annual high school football [z[All-star game|all-star]] bowl game in which the best graduated seniors from Texas and Louisiana play against each other...
(Houston metropolitan area, Texas vs. LouisianaLouisianaLouisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
) - Don Raabe Big 30 Charities ClassicDon Raabe Big 30 Charities ClassicThe Don Raabe Big 30 Charities Classic is a high school football all-star game held in the Twin Tiers region of Western New York and northern Pennsylvania...
(Southern TierSouthern TierThe Southern Tier is a geographical term that refers to the counties of New York State west of the Catskill Mountains along the northern border of Pennsylvania. It is a loosely defined term that generally includes the counties that border Pennsylvania west of Delaware County inclusive...
, New York vs. Northern Tier, Pennsylvania) - Lions Club All-Star High School Football ClassicLions Club All-Star High School Football ClassicThe Kensington Lions Club All-Star High School Football Classic is a high school football all-star game held in the Buffalo metropolitan area. All stars from Western New York are assembled into a "North" team and a "South" team...
(Erie County, New YorkErie County, New YorkErie County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 919,040. The county seat is Buffalo. The county's name comes from Lake Erie, which in turn comes from the Erie tribe of American Indians who lived south and east of the lake before 1654.Erie...
vs. Niagara County, New YorkNiagara County, New YorkNiagara County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 216,469. The county seat is Lockport. The county name is from the Iroquois word Onguiaahra; meaning the strait or thunder of waters. It is the location of Niagara Falls and Fort Niagara, and...
) - Maryland Crab BowlMaryland Crab BowlThe Maryland Crab Bowl is an annual high school football postseason all-star game that features some of the most outstanding players in the state of Maryland. The game is played between a team composed of players from Washington, D.C. area schools and one of players from Baltimore and elsewhere in...
(Washington, DC vs. Baltimore, Maryland) - Oil BowlOil Bowl (high school)The Oil Bowl is a high school football game played between All-Star teams from Texas and Oklahoma. The all star game began in 1938, originally between East and West Texas high school football all-stars. It was not until 1945 that the game began pitting Oklahoma against Texas...
(TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
vs. OklahomaOklahomaOklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
) - North-South Game of the Carolinas (North CarolinaNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
vs. South CarolinaSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
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High school lacrosse
- Under Armour All-American Lacrosse Game
Australian rules football
- E. J. Whitten Legends GameE. J. Whitten Legends GameThe E. J. Whitten Legends Game is an annual charity Australian rules football All-star game, where retired star players are reunited, along with selected non-footballing celebrities, in a State of Origin interstate game, between Victoria and the All Stars .-History:E. J...
(Victoria vs. All Stars, a team representing the rest of Australia—annual) - AFL Hall of Fame Tribute MatchAFL Hall of Fame Tribute MatchThe AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match was a one-off all-star game between two representative sides organised by the Australian Football League to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Australian rules football....
(Victoria vs. Dream Team—only edition in 2008)
Rugby league
- State of OriginRugby League State of OriginState of Origin is an annual best of three series of rugby league football matches contested by the Maroons and the Blues, who represent the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales respectively...
(Queensland vs. New South Wales) - Rugby League War of the Roses (Lancashire vs. Yorkshire)
- International Origin Match (England national teamEngland national rugby league teamThe England national rugby league team represent England in international rugby league football tournaments. The team has now seen a revival, having largely formed from the Great Britain team, who also represented Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The team is run under the auspices of the Rugby Football...
vs. Exiles, a team drawn from Australian and New Zealand players in the Super LeagueSuper LeagueSuper League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
competition) — first edition in 2011