FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2026: Warsaw hosts the biggest event of the season

3x3 basketball is more than just a variation of the traditional game. It is a separate discipline – faster, more intense, and more spectacular. One basket, ten minutes of playing time, and maximum intensity without room for pauses. This format has gained worldwide recognition, made its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, and continues to rapidly grow its global audience. At the national team level, there is one premier event above all others – the FIBA 3x3 World Cup.

From June 1 to June 7, 2026, the tournament will take place in Warsaw, Poland. It will be the country’s debut as host of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup, and FIBA’s choice of the Polish capital was no coincidence. Organizers promise not just a sports competition, but a large-scale urban festival combining elite basketball, street culture, and a vibrant atmosphere right in the heart of Warsaw. The tournament will be held on an outdoor court, turning every match into a live show – without arena walls, close to the fans, and surrounded by the energy of the city itself.

Format and participants

The FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2026 will feature 40 teams – 20 men’s and 20 women’s national squads. From June 1 to June 4, they will compete in the group stage, where the playoff matchups will be determined. Then, from June 5 to June 7, the knockout stage begins – the moment when the tournament reaches its highest intensity. Every defeat means elimination, while every victory brings a team one step closer to the final. The culmination will come on June 7, when the gold medals in both categories are decided.

The reigning world champions are Spain in the men’s tournament and the Netherlands in the women’s. Both national teams will defend their titles, but the level of competition in 3x3 basketball is so high that predicting outcomes is nearly impossible.

In this format, the gap between favorites and underdogs is minimal, and upsets happen regularly. Even established stars of traditional basketball cannot guarantee success in the 3x3 game.

1xBet is the official partner of the tournament

Among the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2026 partners is 1xBet, a bookmaker that has long established itself as a reliable sponsor of major international sporting events. Supporting tournaments such as the FIBA 3x3 World Cup reflects the brand’s strategy: to be present wherever top-level sport takes place. For the 1xBet audience, this means complete immersion in the experience – from previews and live broadcasts to up-to-date betting lines on all the key matchups.

The brand's partners should also pay attention to the upcoming tournament. 1xPartners offers extensive opportunities to monetize traffic around one of the most high-profile sporting events of the first summer month. The FIBA 3x3 World Cup attracts a global audience, creating significant potential for affiliates in the partner program.

Why this tournament is worth watching

3x3 basketball differs significantly from the traditional version of the game. First and foremost, it is defined by its incredible pace and intensity. A match lasts only 10 minutes (or until one team reaches 21 points), and each possession is limited to just 12 seconds. There are no long pauses, slow ball movement, or cautious tactical battles – only pure, concentrated action. Because of this format, even a 5-6 point deficit can disappear within a minute, and underdogs are capable of producing surprises in almost every game.

The discipline also allows much more physical contact than standard basketball. Players must combine elite athleticism with true versatility. Together with the close proximity of fans to the court, the viewing experience becomes genuinely unforgettable.

3x3 basketball is no longer an exotic alternative to the classic game. It is a fully recognized Olympic discipline with established rules, a global ranking system, and professional athletes for whom 3x3 is a full-time career rather than an experiment. The FIBA 3x3 World Cup stands at the very top of this structure. At the beginning of June, Warsaw will become the place where the world’s best national teams gather to find out who is strongest now.

Stay with 1xBet and feel part of the global basketball celebration!