3×3 basketball has evolved from street courts to a headline act on the international stage, offering a rapid‑fire version of the traditional game. Played on a half‑court with just three players per side, the sport compresses strategy, skill and endurance into a ten‑minute sprint.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games Format
Glasgow will host the tournament’s 3×3 basketball events across men’s, women’s and wheelchair categories, each following a simple yet intense set of rules: teams battle to reach 21 points within a ten‑minute window, and if the clock expires without a winner, the side with the higher score takes the victory. Overtime proceeds on a two‑point basis, and possession alternates after every successful shot, starting with the ball and all players positioned outside the three‑point arc.
Scoring distinguishes between the arc and the paint: shots taken from inside the arc, including free throws, count for one point, while attempts from beyond the arc are worth two. This structure creates a constant tension between interior dominance and perimeter shooting, forcing coaches to balance post play with outside threat.
Team England enters the competition as the reigning men’s Commonwealth champions, having previously secured gold on the global stage. The English women’s squad added a silver medal at the 2022 Birmingham Games, while the nation’s wheelchair teams returned with bronze in both the men’s and women’s events. Their recent performances underscore the depth of talent that will be on display in Glasgow.
A deep pool of talent will be on display, featuring athletes such as Jamell Anderson, Ashley Hamilton, Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye, Evan Walshe, Veron Eze, Toto Fagbenle, Kyle Jimenez, Fraser Malcolm, Owen McCormack, Skyler White, Shanice Beckford-Norton, Georgia Gayle, Cheridene Green, Katie Januszewska, Marlee Ball, Nina Rickards, Claire Paxton, Hannah Robb, Kirsty Brown, Ella Doherty, James Hazell, Tom Harvey, Oscar Knight, Peter Cusack, Tyler Baines, Ross McConnell, Finley Erskine, Shayne Humphries, Alex Wilson, Ben Johnson-Rolfe, Dan May, Will Bishop, Charlotte Moore, Jay Hazielden, Jade Atkin, Lucy Robinson, Kayli English, Robin Love, Lea Smith, Jodie Waite, Anastasia Blease, Chloe Morgan, Libi Phillips and Molly Lander.
Governance and Global Reach
The International Basketball Federation, known by its French acronym FIBA, oversees the sport’s rules, rankings and international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games. FIBA’s world ranking system will award points for performances in Glasgow, adding an extra layer of significance to each match.
Beyond the United Kingdom, the sport enjoys a truly global footprint, with strongholds in North America, Oceania and across Europe. Its inclusion in the Commonwealth Games reflects a broader ambition to bring 3×3 basketball to new audiences while preserving the heritage of traditional basketball.