MIES (Switzerland) - Two years from today, the world's best 3x3 basketball players will step onto one of the biggest stages the sport has ever seen.
On July 16, 2028, Olympic 3x3 basketball tips off at the LA28 Olympic Games, marking another landmark chapter in the sport's remarkable journey from neighborhood blacktops to the pinnacle of international competition. After making its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 and capturing the imagination of fans in Paris 2024, 3x3 basketball is set for its biggest and boldest edition yet.
Biggest Olympic tournament yet
LA28 will make history with the largest Olympic 3x3 basketball competition ever.
Following approval by the IOC Executive Board, the field will expand from eight to 12 teams per gender -- a 50 percent increase that opens the door for more National Federations to chase the Olympic dream.
The expanded field raises the stakes across the board. More teams mean more opportunities, but also more battles on the road to Los Angeles as nations from every continent fight for one of the coveted Olympic spots.
With a total of 24 teams competing for gold, LA28 promises deeper competition, fresh rivalries and even more unforgettable moments beneath the California sky.
Back to the roots
The setting couldn't be more fitting.
3x3 basketball will take center stage at Valley Complex 3 in the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, transforming the San Fernando Valley into a vibrant celebration of the world's most thrilling urban sport.
True to its urban roots, the 3x3 basketball tournament is expected to unfold in an outdoor, festival-style environment alongside fellow action sports Skateboarding and BMX. The result will be a unique Olympic experience where elite competition meets music, culture and the unmistakable energy that has defined 3x3 basketball from day one.
Few sports bridge grassroots culture and Olympic excellence quite like 3x3 basketball. LA28 will showcase that identity on a global stage unlike ever before.
Every game matters
Host nation USA automatically qualifies one men's and one women's team, leaving 11 Olympic places per gender still to be earned.
Five teams per gender will qualify through the FIBA 3x3 Federation Rankings, determined on December 1, 2027. For the LA28 cycle, the ranking window expands to 24 months, meaning results across the FIBA 3x3 Pro Circuit and Cup events will all contribute to the Olympic race.
The remaining six places will be decided through four Olympic Qualifying Tournaments staged between March and June 2028, culminating with the Olympic Qualifier Series events in Tokyo and Shanghai, where the final tickets to Los Angeles will be secured.
From FIBA 3x3 World Tour stops and Women's Series events to Challengers and Cup competitions, every possession, every victory and every ranking point will shape the Olympic picture over the next two years.
The field is bigger, the opportunity is greater and the competition will be fiercer than ever.
With two years to go, the race to LA28 is only going to get more exciting, and one of the fastest-growing Olympic sports is ready to take another giant leap from the streets to the LA28 stage.
FIBA