DETROIT – The BIG3 is set to tip off its ninth season this summer, bringing a high-stakes, condensed schedule and a pair of dates in Detroit for the Detroit Amplifiers.
Dubbed “The 9th Wonder in the Summer,” the league’s 2026 campaign will feature 13 game dates across nine cities, beginning June 20 in Los Angeles.
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With no extended regular season to rely on, each matchup will carry added importance as teams compete for playoff positioning and the league championship.
The BIG3 will return to Little Caesars Arena for games on June 27 at 3:30 p.m. and July 23 at 8 p.m.
Tickets go on sale May 8 at 10 a.m. through 313Presents.com, BIG3.com, and Ticketmaster.
The league transitioned to a city-based model in 2025.
Along with Detroit, teams include the Boston Ball Hogs, Chicago Triplets, Dallas Power, DMV Trilogy, Houston Rig Hands, LA Riot, and Miami 305.
Teams will finalize their rosters during the league’s combine and draft on May 7 in Las Vegas.
The event will stream live on the BIG3’s YouTube channel, with each team selecting two players to join three pre-assigned captains.
More than 100 players are expected to participate, including former NBA guard Sebastian Telfair and former Arizona standout Salim Stoudamire.
The league continues to feature a mix of former NBA talent and high-profile coaches, including Dwight Howard and three-time BIG3 MVP Joe Johnson, along with coaches such as Gary Payton and Julius Erving.
Founded in 2017 by Ice Cube and entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz, the three-on-three league has grown steadily, blending former professional players with a fast-paced format that includes unique rules such as four-point shots.
The BIG3 is coming off its most successful season in terms of viewership and social media engagement and aims to build on that momentum in 2026.