The 10th edition of the FIBA 3×3 World Cup gets under way in Warsaw on June 1, bringing 40 national teams, 104 games and seven days of basketball to the heart of the Polish capital.
Set against the backdrop of the iconic Palace of Culture and Science at Parade Square (Plac Defilad), the tournament runs from June 1 to 7 and marks a landmark milestone for a sport that has grown from its urban origins in Athens in 2012 into an Olympic discipline with a global following across more than 200 countries and territories.
Spain (men) and the Netherlands (women) enter Warsaw as defending champions. Spain claimed their first-ever men’s title at the 2025 edition in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, defeating Switzerland in the final. The Dutch women won their first crown at the same tournament. Both nations now face the challenge of back-to-back glory against the deepest fields in the event’s history.
Format and schedule
The competition opens with four days of pool-stage action from June 1 to 4, with 20 men’s teams and 20 women’s teams each split into four pools of five competing in a round-robin format. The knockout rounds follow from June 5 to 7, progressing through a play-in round, quarter-finals and semi-finals before the men’s and women’s finals bring the week to a close on Day 7.
Men’s pools
- Pool A: Serbia, Austria, Spain, Australia, Madagascar
- Pool B: USA, Latvia, Mongolia, Czechia, Poland
- Pool C: Netherlands, Germany, China, Japan, New Zealand
- Pool D: Lithuania, France, Belgium, Puerto Rico, Brazil
Serbia, six-time world champions and the most decorated nation in the history of the men’s game, are the standout contenders. Strahinja Stojacic, widely regarded as the best player in the world, returns after missing the 2025 edition. His side face defending champions Spain on opening day in what is already being billed as one of the ties of the tournament.
Women’s pools
- Pool A: Netherlands, Poland, Czechia, Azerbaijan, Madagascar
- Pool B: Spain, USA, Mongolia, Hungary, Australia
- Pool C: China, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Philippines
- Pool D: France, Canada, Japan, Ukraine, Lithuania
The women’s draw is equally competitive, featuring reigning champions, Olympic medallists and fast-rising programmes. Host nation Poland, led by Aleksandra Ziemborska, will carry the weight of home expectation and face the Netherlands in a headline pool-stage encounter on June 3.
Key facts
- 104 games will be played across seven days
- 20 men’s teams and 20 women’s teams compete under identical rules on the same half-court
- A single session ticket covers both men’s and women’s matches
- The first session of each day is free to attend
- Every game is available to watch live and free on FIBA 3×3’s official YouTube channel, subject to geo-restrictions
New for 2026: Dunk Mania
This year’s edition introduces Dunk Mania, a new team-based dunk contest running alongside the main tournament. The event features viral-style dunk challenges, props, crowd interaction and choreographed team routines, led by captains Piotr Grabowski and Joel Henry. It represents a significant expansion of the off-court entertainment programme.
A growing global sport
Since its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, 3×3 basketball has expanded rapidly worldwide. The sport now reaches fans across more than 200 countries and territories, with the World Cup generating billions of impressions annually through its fast-paced, highlight-driven format. With increased Olympic participation planned for Los Angeles 2028, the Warsaw edition arrives at a pivotal moment for the sport’s development.
Tickets and broadcast
Tickets for the second daily session are available at ebilet.pl. The first session each day is free. All matches will be broadcast live and free on FIBA 3×3’s official YouTube channel, with television and streaming coverage available in multiple territories. Follow the action using the official hashtag #3x3WC.
