Badshah to Make NBA All-Star Celebrity game debut

In a landmark moment for Indian hip-hop and global pop culture, multi-platinum rapper and entertainment icon Badshah is set to become the first Indian rapper to take the court at the 2026 Ruffles® NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. The event will be held on February 13, 2026, at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California.

This year’s Celebrity Game roster reads like a who’s-who of entertainment, sports and media. Alongside Badshah, the lineup includes actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key, multi-platinum producer Mustard, rapper GloRilla, NBA champion Jeremy Lin, NFL stars, reality TV personalities and global influencers. The event also features a special halftime performance by the K-pop group CORTIS, marking the first time a K-pop act will perform at the NBA Celebrity Game halftime show.





Badshah has spoken openly about the significance of this opportunity. Describing his participation as a historic milestone, he said this moment is about “breaking boundaries and creating new firsts” while carrying the energy of Indian hip-hop and fans to Los Angeles. The rapper has also shared that basketball has long been a passion, and playing alongside celebrities from music, film and sport is a “true honour.”

The Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game is one of the signature events of NBA All-Star Weekend, blending athleticism with entertainment and global culture. Badshah’s inclusion signals the deepening influence of Indian artists on the international stage, further bridging the worlds of music and sport.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”