BUCS is introducing a brand-new competitive stage for university basketball: 3x3 Basketball. Designed for pace, skill and crowd appeal, the 3x3 format is ideal for students and campuses, teams, quicker games and a festival-style feel that brings more players and more spectators into the action. The year one Championship will be a single-weekend, central-venue event delivered by a third-party partner appointed through a competitive tender process; the full bid pack goes live with this announcement.
What makes this different
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Fast & accessible: 3x3’s half-court format shrinks barriers to entry, fewer players required, smaller footprint, easier to stage at campus hubs.
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Proven momentum: Regional delivery is already building, LUSL ran 17 teams in 2023-24 and 21 teams in 2024-25, and Basketball England’s Ball Out 3x3 recorded 2,638 participants in 2023-24, showing a growing player pool BUCS can tap into.
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Inclusive by design: The Championship will feature Men’s, Women’s and Open Wheelchair competitions, reflecting BUCS’ commitment to accessible, equitable sport.
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Student experience first: Quick turnaround games, energetic atmospheres and exciting opportunities.
Year 1: a bold trial
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One weekend. One central venue. Medals for the top three teams in each programme.
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No BUCS Points in year one. A year one review will judge success; if the Championship passes probation, BUCS plans a year-two model with regional qualifiers feeding a national finals weekend and potential integration into the wider BUCS Points structure.
Neal Kington, BUCS Head of Competitions, said: “3x3 Basketball is electric, it’s short bursts of brilliance, it’s social, and it gives way more students a shot at representing their university in inter varsity competition. Importantly, we’re building this with inclusion front and centre: wheelchair players are part of the core offer from day one. We’re excited to work with a delivery partner who can create a truly memorable event.”
Delivery partners: download the bid documents linked to this announcement and direct questions to Neal Kington.
Institutions and clubs, keep an eye on BUCS communications for entry opening dates after the bid process concludes.
