3X3

LA28 Olympics to feature an expanded roster of 12 teams per gender in 3X3 Basketball

The International Olympic Committee (IOC’s) Executive Board has announced its decision to expand the roster of 12 teams per gender in 3×3 Basketball for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

MIES (Switzerland) – The International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s Executive Board on Wednesday announced its decision to increase the quota to 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams for 3×3 basketball as part of the Olympic Basketball program for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Upon recommendation of the Olympic Programme Commission, has decided to accept FIBA’s request and increase the quota of 3×3 basketball players by 50%, maintaining the gender parity of our sport, as follows:
While all sports quota and event increases decided by the IOC today, including ours, apply for LA28 only and will be reviewed for future editions of the Games, we are confident that 3×3 Basketball’s performance in Los Angeles and the overall growth of the discipline will help us maintain this quota also for Brisbane 2032.
The quota of 12 teams per gender is a new reality for 3×3 basketball but is not new to FIBA. Therefore, we are confident that the Central Board will produce in the course of 2025 a qualification system having the principles of Universality and Quality at its heart, for approval by the IOC.
We also take this opportunity to inform you that 3×3 basketball will be hosted at the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, the second-largest urban park in Los Angeles. The urban sport disciplines of BMX and Skateboarding (similar to Paris 2024) and the Racing of Modern Pentathlon will be next to our venue, inside the same park, for an action-packed, fast-paced celebration of sport.
Today’s decision on the expansion to 12 teams per gender marks a milestone for FIBA, it’s National Member Federations, its players, and of course our sport. The dream of “from the streets to the Olympics” is coming closer for many of you, and we all receive great encouragement to further grow 3×3 basketball.
In the current environment of cost optimisation at the Olympic Games, quota increases for existing team sports disciplines are rare. In fact, the increase for the 3×3 basketball quota was approved today although the total quota of athletes remains the same between Paris24 and LA28 at 10,500 for the permanent sports of the Olympic program.

This expansion from 8 to 12 teams per gender reflects the growth of 3×3 basketball over recent years and further highlights the sport’s global appeal and development. The expanded field opens the door for greater universality and broader national representation, offering more countries the opportunity to compete on the Olympic Stage.

“We thank the IOC for its decision, which provides great encouragement for FIBA and its members to continue promoting our urban discipline. Having four additional teams for the men’s and women’s tournaments is a testament to the global interest and excitement Olympic Basketball have delivered at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024,” said FIBA President, Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani.

“Today marks a milestone for FIBA and our sport. The additional quota allows more National Federations and players from all around the world to dream that they can make it from the streets to the Olympics” said FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis. “Los Angeles is one of the world’s most iconic basketball cities and has a thriving 3×3 basketball culture. We are very excited to be once again at the heart of a vibrant, urban sport festival atmosphere during the Games.”

“As a FIBA 3×3 Commission member, I am proud to have played a pivotal role in the historic expansion of the athlete quota for 3×3 basketball at the LA28 Olympic Games: said GBF General Secretay Patrick Haynes. “This achievement—increasing to 12 teams per gender—reflects our collective commitment to growing the sport and providing more opportunities for athletes worldwide to compete on the Olympic stage.” “From its grassroots origins to becoming a global phenomenon, 3×3 basketball embodies accessibility, dynamism, and youth appeal. As a 3×3 Commission members, I have worked tirelessly to advocate for this expansion, leveraging my expertise as National Federation leader to demonstrate the sport’s value and potential.” “This expansion is not just a victory for FIBA but for the entire 3×3 basketball community. It reinforces our shared vision of inspiring young athletes to dream big—from local courts to the Olympic podium.” “As we look ahead to LA28, the Commission will continue to provide strategic guidance to ensure 3×3 basketball thrives as a cornerstone of the Olympic Movement. Together, we are writing the next chapter of this incredible sport.”

The FIBA 3×3 commission will meet on 17 May in Bahrain at the FIBA Mid-Term Congress and again on 24 September at the FIBA Headquarters in Mies, Switzerland.

For FIBA, the last time this happened was in 1996, when the women’s basketball tournament expanded from 8 to 12 teams. While repeated efforts in the 2000s and early 2010s to increase the quota for traditional discipline did not bring fruit and would not be realistic today, the strategy shift to include 3×3 and then expand our roster to 12 teams has proven to be a successful decision of the Central Board.

This recognition reflects the hard work of the entire FIBA community, with the National Federations and our high-performing FIBA 3×3 department at the forefront, accompanied by numerous event organisers around the world.

The detailed competition format and qualification system for the 3×3 basketball tournaments at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will be communicated at a later stage.