All-Star Weekend has always been about more than basketball. It’s about energy. It’s about proximity. It’s about culture. And more than ever, it’s also about gaming.
On Sunday afternoon in Santa Monica to close out the weekend, Glo Navy partnered with DREAMBASH and Starting 5ive to present Love & 2K. Hosted at Creator Space LA, the event brought together basketball, gaming, music and food in a way that felt less like a pop-up and more like a preview of the future.
Inside the space, a live DJ set from SNDSMTH and NEYSAY ignited the room while guests rotated between high-intensity 2v2 basketball matchups and equally competitive NBA 2K26 battles, powered by Conflux Gaming. The line between physical court and digital court blurred, and the trash talk carried from the controller to the court.
Competitors weren’t just playing for pride; $2,000 in rewards raised the stakes across both arenas. Meanwhile, Blue Mountain Cuisine and CC’s Creation kept the crowd fueled, turning the gathering into something that felt intentional, communal, and culturally grounded.
Gaming is no longer a side activation during major sports events. It’s not a lounge in the corner. It’s not an afterthought for just gamers. It’s central. It’s connective tissue. It’s how creators, athletes and fans intersect in real life.
Co-Founder and President of Glo Navy Eric Wallace shared that the organization’s intentions for the event was clear:
“Sunday’s All-Star event was meant to bring together gaming, basketball and music. Our goal with Glo Navy is to continue building spaces where gaming and entertainment combine.”
That combination is becoming the standard. This audience doesn’t segment their interests; they live at the intersection of sport, streaming, style and hip-hop. Experiences that reflect that reality are the ones that are going to win.
For DREAMBASH, that intersection is home turf.
“DREAMBASH is the cosplay community for the culture. We thrive at the intersection of gaming, cosplay, music, and tech. Our community is our inspiration,” said Seth Smith, founder of DREAMBASH. “Their energy is undeniable, so our experiences level up to meet that energy every single time,”
Love & 2K wasn’t just a Valentine’s Day-themed NBA All-Star event. It was a signal. Gaming and culture activations are no longer experimental, but they are expected. The communities driving modern sports and entertainment demand immersive spaces that reflect how they actually live.
This event served as a reminder that the controller and the culture move together.
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