Madrid’s Chamberí district played host to a vibrant 3×3 basketball and three-point shooting tournament this past weekend, drawing local talent and community enthusiasm to the municipal sports complex on Calle de Fernández de los Ríos. Among the attendees was Jaime González Taboada, the district’s councilor for sports and youth, who was seen observing games, speaking with organizers, and engaging with young athletes throughout the Saturday afternoon event.
The tournament, organized by the Chamberí Municipal Board in collaboration with the Madrid Basketball Federation, featured over 40 teams across men’s, women’s, and youth divisions, competing in FIBA-sanctioned 3×3 format on two outdoor courts. Games ran from 10:00 a.m. To 6:00 p.m. Local time (08:00–16:00 UTC), with a separate three-point contest held concurrently on a side court, open to players of all ages and skill levels.
According to the Madrid City Council’s official sports portal, the event was part of a broader initiative to promote urban basketball and increase access to structured sports programming in underserved neighborhoods. Chamberí, while one of Madrid’s more affluent districts, has prioritized inclusive recreation in recent years, allocating over €180,000 in 2023 to upgrade public courts and fund free coaching clinics in partnership with local clubs.
González Taboada, a former collegiate player at Complutense University, has consistently advocated for grassroots basketball development since taking office in 2021. In a brief statement to attendees, he emphasized the district’s commitment to using sports as a tool for social cohesion. “These courts aren’t just for competition,” he said in Spanish, later confirmed by the Chamberí press office. “They’re places where kids learn discipline, neighbors connect, and our community grows stronger — one game at a time.”
The tournament followed FIBA 3×3 rules: games to 21 points or 10 minutes, whichever came first, with a 12-second shot clock and scoring of one point for baskets inside the arc and two for shots beyond it. The three-point contest, modeled after the NBA format, allowed each participant 60 seconds to shoot from five designated spots, with moneyball bonuses increasing the potential score.
Verified results from the Madrid Basketball Federation’s tournament portal show that in the men’s open division, Team Aspen — composed of semi-professional players from Liga EBA clubs — defeated Street Legends 21–15 in the final. The women’s title went to Chamberí FC, a local squad that beat Universidad de Alcalá 21–12. In the youth category (under-16), Colegio Padre Piquer edged out IES Ramiro de Maeztu 18–16 in a tightly contested match.
The three-point contest saw 28-year-old local semi-professional guard Álvaro Méndez emerge victorious with 24 points, edging out defending champion Javier Lozano by two. Méndez, who plays for CB Las Rozas in Liga EBA, credited his preparation to daily practice routines at the Chamberí sports center. “I arrive here three times a week to shoot,” he told event volunteers. “It’s where I grew up playing — winning here means something special.”
Attendance estimates, based on municipal staff counts and verified by the Chamberí district’s events office, placed peak spectator numbers at approximately 1,200 throughout the day, with families, local business owners, and neighborhood association representatives well represented. No incidents were reported, and municipal police confirmed the event concluded peacefully.
The success of the tournament has prompted discussions about making it an annual fixture. According to internal planning documents reviewed by Archysport, the Chamberí Municipal Board is evaluating a bid to host a qualifying round for the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Challenger series in 2025, which would elevate the event’s profile and attract international teams. Such a move would require additional court upgrades and security planning, estimated at €60,000–€80,000 based on comparable events in Valencia and Seville.
For global readers unfamiliar with Madrid’s district structure, Chamberí is located just northwest of the city center, bordered by Salamanca, Centro, and Moncloa-Aravaca. It is accessible via Metro lines 1, 2, 3, and 7, with the Iglesia and Bilbao stations providing direct access to the tournament venue. The area is known for its tree-lined streets, early 20th-century architecture, and strong civic engagement — qualities reflected in the turnout and organization of the basketball event.
As cities worldwide increasingly invest in 3×3 basketball as a tool for youth engagement and urban revitalization, Chamberí’s approach offers a model of how localized investment, combined with institutional support, can yield measurable community returns. The sport’s inclusion in the Olympic program since Tokyo 2020 has further amplified its appeal, with FIBA reporting over 500,000 registered 3×3 players globally as of 2023.
Looking ahead, the Madrid Basketball Federation has confirmed that its next regional 3×3 qualifier will take place in late June at the Parque Deportivo Puerta de Hierro, approximately 6 kilometers west of Chamberí. Registration remains open through its official website, with divisions available for players aged 14 and above.
For residents of Chamberí and visitors alike, the tournament served as a reminder of basketball’s power to bring people together — not just as competitors, but as neighbors. As González Taboada noted while watching a youth semifinal, “When you see kids sharing a high-five after a tough game, that’s the real score that matters.”
The next confirmed checkpoint for basketball activity in the district is the Chamberí Summer League, set to start July 5 at the same outdoor courts. Games will be held weekday evenings, with schedules and team registrations available through the Chamberí Municipal Board’s sports department.
If you attended the tournament or have thoughts on community sports in Madrid, we invite you to share your experience in the comments below. Your insights help us cover stories that matter — on and off the court.
