Australian 3×3 Basketball Teams Confirmed for Expanded Glasgow 2026 Field

Australia’s elite 3×3 Basketball programs have officially secured their places for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, following a formal announcement by organisers on 5 February 2026.

The tournament, set to take place at the SEC Centre from 24–29 July, will feature an expanded field of 12 teams per gender—up from eight in 2022—highlighting the rapid commercial and competitive growth of the urban discipline across the Commonwealth.

The reason behind the expanded format lies in the Commonwealth Games Federation’s (CGF) commitment to youth-focussed, high-intensity sports that require minimal permanent infrastructure.

For Basketball Australia, Glasgow 2026 represents a high-performance window to upgrade their Birmingham 2022 hardware, where the men secured silver and the women took bronze. The inclusion of debutant nations from the Pacific and Caribbean further underscores the CGF’s goal of diversifying the medal tally and increasing global broadcast reach.

Commenting on the announcement, Australian star, Ally Wilson, said: “That experience [in Birmingham] showed us what this format can mean on the Games stage — the crowds, the pace and the intensity were incredible.”

“Heading into Glasgow 2026, we’re determined to build on that success and show just how far Australian 3×3 has come,” Wilson said.

Tournament Expansion and Venue Dynamics

The move to the SEC Centre provides a “festival-style” hub designed to maximise fan engagement and commercial activation:

12 nations will compete in both the men’s and women’s draws, providing a 50% increase in match inventory for host broadcasters.

Australia joins a heavy-hitting field including New Zealand, Kenya, and hosts Scotland, alongside a new wave of emerging talent from Africa and the Caribbean.

Details for 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball are expected to be released later this year, continuing the Games’ tradition of a fully integrated para-sport program.

High-Performance Trajectory

For the Australian “Gangurrus,” the 2026 Games serve as a vital stepping stone toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

After narrow losses in the Birmingham finals, both Australian squads are prioritising Glasgow as a primary “gold or bust” target for the 2026 high-performance cycle.

The 3×3 format has seen a 40% increase in domestic participation since 2022, with the NBL’s 3×3 Cup serving as a key talents identifier for the national team.

Don’t miss out on the latest in sports business – Subscribe today to the free Ministry of Sport newsletter and stay ahead of the game. For even more exclusive insights, event tickets, professional development and networking events, become a MoS Member today!.