Neighbourhood 3×3 tournaments
One hoop, teams of three and short games. Such tournaments are often run by local recreation centres and enthusiasts, and the atmosphere is closer to a festival than to an official competition.
Events
Events
Basketball life is not limited to big games on TV. Every weekend somewhere there are neighbourhood tournaments, school competitions and amateur games, and sports exhibitions open their doors. We describe the types of events and how to tell a reliable announcement from a dubious one.
A good tournament starts with clear entry rules. If the organiser cannot be found, it is better to look for another court.
How this section works: we describe types of events in general terms and do not publish calendars, schedules or announcements of specific games. Always check dates, rules and entry conditions with the organiser.
Types of events
Four kinds of events around which basketball culture lives.
School competitions
For many, the first experience of a real game with a referee, a scoresheet and a crowd of classmates. This is where the habit of cheering for your own team is born.
Professional league games
Big arenas, half-time shows and broadcasts. We do not write about specific teams or competitions, but we explain how to watch such games and understand the statistics.
Sports exhibitions and museums
Old balls, uniforms, photographs and documents help you see how the game has changed. Check visiting conditions on the museum's website.
How to check a tournament announcement
- Find out who the organiser is: a sports centre, a school, a federation, a municipal body or a private initiative.
- Find the organiser's official website or page and compare the date, venue and format there with what the announcement says.
- Read the entry rules: age, team size, fees, medical paperwork and kit requirements.
- If spectators have to pay to get in, buy tickets only from the organiser or from the outlets the organiser has listed.
- Be wary if an announcement asks you to transfer money to a private individual or send your ID details via a messaging app.
- Before you set off, check again that the event has not been postponed — especially if the tournament is held on an outdoor court.
Related sections
- History
A basketball timeline from the invention of the game in 1891 to the Olympic debut of 3×3 in 2021.
- People
Who creates basketball culture: amateur players, youth coaches, referees, statisticians, photographers and commentators.
- Articles
Magazine topics: the history of the game, the rules and how they changed, basketball vocabulary, street courts, media and fans. Plus the article catalogue.
- Collections
Three themed collections of magazine sections for readers who are just discovering basketball.
- Analysis
How to read basketball statistics and how the main types of defence differ.
Sources
- FIBA — Official Basketball Rules
- Encyclopaedic sources on the history of basketball
Historical dates and rule parameters follow the official FIBA rules and the Olympic history of the game. Rules of amateur tournaments and visiting conditions at sports museums change over time, so check them with the organisers.