Shenzhen, China – The 2026 season of the China Men’s 3×3 Basketball League (often referred to as “Super 3 League”) is scheduled to launch with its opening games and first qualifying tournament from May 4th to 6th in Shenzhen, according to announcements made on Tuesday.
The league, considered the highest level of 3×3 basketball competition in China, is aiming to build on the momentum of a successful 2025 season. Xu Lan, Secretary General of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), highlighted the league’s growth and achievements over the past year, noting its proactive response to national policies promoting integration of sports events with tourism, commercial districts, and scenic areas.
“The league actively responded to the national ‘three-into’ policy,” Xu Lan stated, referring to initiatives to bring sporting events into tourist destinations, commercial areas, and public spaces. “These measures not only effectively boosted cultural tourism and new consumption but likewise benefited more people through innovative models like ‘ticket root economics’—allowing the value chain of ‘sports plus’ to reach a wider audience.”
Ticket root economics, a key component of the league’s strategy, aims to stimulate local economies by linking event attendance with spending on dining, shopping, and tourism. The CBA is hoping this approach will further enhance the league’s economic impact and appeal.
Beyond its economic contributions, the Super 3 League plays a crucial role in developing the 3×3 basketball discipline within China and identifying talent for the national team. The league’s commitment to this mission remains a central focus as it prepares for the upcoming season.
Zhang Wei, a market department leader at Deep Blue Sports (Beijing) Co., Ltd., detailed significant changes to the league’s structure for 2026. A tiered system will be implemented, creating a clear distinction between top-tier events – the finals and qualifying tournaments – and regional qualifying competitions. The season will span from May to October, featuring 10 regional qualifying tournaments, four qualifying tournaments, and a single championship final.
A new A/B ranking system will also be introduced, dynamically adjusting team rankings after each qualifying tournament based on overall points. What we have is designed to increase competition and incentivize consistent performance throughout the season. The league hopes this will create a more dynamic and engaging experience for both players and fans.
The league is also prioritizing accessibility for fans, scheduling all games from Friday to Sunday to encourage greater attendance. Matches will be held in core tourist attractions, commercial districts, and public spaces within host cities, further integrating the league into the local community.
Success in the Super 3 League carries international implications. The winning teams from the qualifying tournaments and championship final will earn berths in the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Challenge and Masters events. These international competitions provide valuable opportunities for Chinese teams to accumulate points towards qualifying for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. The league is explicitly framing its development efforts as a pathway to Olympic qualification.
The CBA and Deep Blue Sports are aiming to establish the Super 3 League as the most influential 3×3 basketball league in China, focusing on four key areas: superior event operations, strong business partnerships, impactful brand promotion, and support for the national team. The league’s ambition is to become a core engine driving China’s progress in the global 3×3 basketball arena.
The 2026 season represents a new phase for the Super 3 League, building on the successes of 2025 and embracing a more structured and competitive format. The league’s focus on both domestic development and international qualification underscores its commitment to elevating the sport of 3×3 basketball in China.
The next major event on the calendar is the opening of the first qualifying tournament in Shenzhen from May 4th to 6th. Fans can expect further updates on team rosters, schedules, and broadcast information from the Chinese Basketball Association and Deep Blue Sports in the coming weeks.
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