The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has entered a three‑year exclusive partnership with immersive‑technology company L1VE to bring the 3×3 World Tour, the Women’s Series and the World Cup to virtual‑reality headsets, offering fans a live, courtside perspective of the sport’s fastest‑growing format.
The Rise of 3×3 Basketball
Originating at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and making its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, 3×3 basketball has evolved into a truly urban sport played on half‑courts with two teams of three. Its compact, high‑energy format has attracted global attention and is now positioned to reach new audiences through cutting‑edge media.
L1VE’s Social Presence platform captures live events in 360° 3D, merging them into a single immersive scene that can be experienced on all major VR headsets. Fans will not only watch the action but also hear the crowd, share the broadcast with friends worldwide, and feel as though they are sitting courtside.
The inaugural event under this agreement is slated for the 2026 FIBA 3×3 World Tour in Debrecen, Hungary, where the technology will be tested before a global audience tuned into VR headsets. This debut marks the first time a major 3×3 basketball tournament will be broadcast in a fully immersive format.
David Morgenbesser, L1VE’s Chief Commercial Officer, described 3×3 basketball as a thrilling urban sport that aligns perfectly with VR immersion, while Alex Sanchez, FIBA’s Managing Director, emphasized the partnership’s goal to bring fans closer to the game through innovative experiences.