CORTIS Makes K-Pop History Tonight at NBA All-Star Celebrity Game!
- Jon Lui
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
K-pop rookie boy group, CORTIS, is set to make NBA and K-pop history as the two global brands join forces tonight! We have all the details for all you K-pop and basketball fans on where and how to watch CORTIS make history!
The NBA Is No Stranger to K-pop
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is no stranger to K-pop as it frequently hosts K-pop idols at its high-profile basketball games. K-pop mega groups like Le Sserafim, BTS, SEVENTEEN, and now CORTIS are part of the K-pop and sports merging movement.
What is the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game?
The NBA All-Star Celebrity Game is an annual exhibition basketball game hosted by the NBA during the All-Star weekend from February 13 to February 15, 2026. It features retired NBA and WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) players, actors, musicians, and athletes from other sports. This year's All-Star weekend will kick off on Friday, February 13, with the All-Star Celebrity Game!
K-pop Is Making History Every Day
Even if you're not a basketball fan or a sports fan, this is a momentous occasion for K-pop fans. Having K-pop front-and-center during the halftime show in front of millions of viewers all over the globe is the perfect opportunity to keep K-pop growing! Especially for a rookie group like CORTIS, after six months of their debut, this is huge! This marks the first time a K-pop act will perform during the All-Star weekend.
Joining 'The Friends of the NBA'
'The Friends of the NBA' is a program where the NBA collaborates with celebrities all over the Asia-Pacific region to communicate and connect with fans in different ways. It is their way to reach out to new potential markets that could not have been possible through traditional sports marketing efforts. CORTIS is a prime example of this. CORTIS shared, "Joining the ‘Friends of the NBA’ is a milestone we never imagined achieving early in our debut. We aim to ‘Color Outside the Lines’ and present music that defies conventions. That’s why we deeply resonate with the NBA’s creative and challenging spirit. We are genuinely excited to represent the NBA and connect with fans through this special collaboration where sports and culture intersect.”
CORTIS debuted on August 18, 2025, with their debut single "What You Want". The music video has garnered over 18 million views in just six months.
When, Where, and How to watch CORTIS
Fans can watch CORTIS's halftime performance on the ESPN network on February 13, 2026, at 7 p.m. EST (United States time).
CORTIS was also selected to headline the 'NBA Crossover Concert Series' the night before, on February 12, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
CORTIS is set to become one of the leading rookie groups heading into 2026. Their self-produced high-energy "rage-trap" sound blends Gen-Z hip-hop with pop-punk styles have captured K-pop fans around the world. What are your thoughts about CORTIS headlining the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game halftime show? Comment below!