3x3 Quest India 2026 launched: Winners earn FIBA World Series berth
Synopsis
For the first time, Indian 3x3 basketball players can compete on home soil in a FIBA-sanctioned event that hands out official ranking points — and sends the winners straight to the FIBA World Series in Mongolia. With the LA 2028 Olympics expanding the 3x3 field to 12 teams, the 3x3 Quest India 2026 launch is less a local tournament and more a starting gun for India's Olympic ambitions in the format.
Key Takeaways
3x3 Quest India 2026 was officially launched on 18 August 2026 in New Delhi , backed by FIBA , BFI , and DBA .
The inaugural tournament runs on 12 and 13 September 2026 at DLF Promenade Emporio, New Delhi , in a knockout format.
The winning team earns a berth at the FIBA 3x3 World Series in Mongolia .
All participants gain access to official FIBA ranking points — the first such opportunity for Indian 3x3 players in a home event.
3x3 basketball is set to expand from 8 to 12 teams at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics .
The initiative aims to expand beyond Delhi to create high-level competitive opportunities across India.
3x3 Quest India 2026, a FIBA-sanctioned basketball competition, was officially launched on Tuesday, 18 August 2026 in New Delhi, marking a significant step toward integrating Indian players into the global 3x3 circuit. The initiative is backed by the Basketball Federation of India (BFI), FIBA, and the Delhi Basketball Association (DBA).
Tournament Format and Venue
The inaugural edition is scheduled for 12 and 13 September 2026 at DLF Promenade Emporio in New Delhi. Multiple teams will compete across two days in a knockout format progressing through quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final. The winning team will earn a direct berth at the FIBA 3x3 World Series in Mongolia.
All participating players will also gain access to official FIBA ranking points — a development described by organisers as particularly significant, given that Indian 3x3 players have largely competed in domestic, unranked formats until now.
What Is 3x3 Basketball
3x3 basketball is played on a half-court with three players per team, a 12-second shot clock, and matches lasting 10 minutes — or ending earlier if a team reaches 21 points. The format prioritises skill, technique, and rapid decision-making. It made its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, featured at Paris 2024, and is set to expand from 8 to 12 teams at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. It also remains part of the Commonwealth Games programme.
What Officials Said
Tom Siwannamai, 3x3 Sports Presentation Manager at FIBA, said the organisation was pleased to support the initiative alongside BFI and expressed confidence that it could contribute to the long-term growth of 3x3 basketball in India. The launch event also saw the unveiling of the official 3x3 Quest India 2026 trophy and jersey.
Pathway to International Competition
According to the organisers, the competition is designed to strengthen the pipeline from domestic participation to international-level play. The initiative will begin in Delhi with ambitions to expand across India, connecting players and teams with the broader global 3x3 ecosystem. Notably, this is the first time Indian 3x3 players will compete in a FIBA-sanctioned event on home soil with international ranking recognition on the line.
With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics expanding the 3x3 field, the timing of this launch positions India to develop competitive depth ahead of a crucial Olympic cycle.
Point of View
But the real question is whether a single Delhi-based tournament can meaningfully shift India's standing on the global 3x3 circuit. Indian players have spent years competing in unranked domestic formats, which means the ranking-points opportunity here is genuine — but the gap to competitive World Series teams remains wide. With LA 2028 expanding the Olympic field, the BFI and FIBA need this to be the first of many sanctioned events, not a one-off showcase. The ambition to expand nationally is stated; the execution timeline is not.
NationPress
18 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 3x3 Quest India 2026?
3x3 Quest India 2026 is a FIBA-sanctioned 3x3 basketball competition launched on 18 August 2026 in New Delhi. The inaugural edition is scheduled for 12 and 13 September 2026 at DLF Promenade Emporio, with the winning team earning a spot at the FIBA 3x3 World Series in Mongolia.
Where and when will the 3x3 Quest India 2026 tournament be held?
The tournament will be held on 12 and 13 September 2026 at DLF Promenade Emporio in New Delhi. Teams will compete in a knockout format leading to quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final over the two days.
What do players gain from participating in 3x3 Quest India 2026?
All participating players will earn official FIBA ranking points, which is significant as Indian 3x3 players have largely competed in unranked domestic formats until now. The winning team additionally earns a direct berth at the FIBA 3x3 World Series in Mongolia.
Why is 3x3 basketball growing in importance ahead of 2028?
3x3 basketball is set to expand from 8 to 12 teams at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, making the Olympic field more accessible. The format also featured at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, and remains part of the Commonwealth Games, giving it sustained global visibility.
Who is organising and supporting 3x3 Quest India 2026?
The competition is supported by the Basketball Federation of India (BFI), FIBA, and the Delhi Basketball Association (DBA). FIBA's 3x3 Sports Presentation Manager Tom Siwannamai was present at the launch and expressed confidence in the initiative's potential to grow 3x3 basketball in India.
