3×3 basketball is experiencing rapid growth across Mediterranean countries and the tournament to be held as part of the 20th Mediterranean Games Taranto 2026 will feature 18 men’s teams and 14 women’s teams.

This growth is reflected in the increased weight the Mediterranean Games 3×3 tournament carries within the FIBA 3×3 Federation Ranking system. Results at Taranto 2026 will contribute directly to the 24-month Federation Ranking, which came into effect on December 1, 2025 and runs through December 2027 as the primary qualification mechanism for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Participating teams will therefore have the opportunity, based on their performance and final ranking, to advance their qualification prospects for LA 2028 at the individual, team, and national federation levels. With five Olympic berths per gender allocated through regional Federation Ranking standings as of December 1, 2027, and six additional places determined through Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in 2028, every competitive result between now and the end of 2027 carries direct Olympic significance.

ICMG and FIBA are therefore offering Mediterranean 3×3 players a meaningful and concrete step on their pathway to the Olympic Games dream.

The 3×3 tournament of the Mediterranean Games will take place from August 29 to September 2, 2026 at the Peripato Gardens, a historic landmark in the centre of Taranto, renovated specifically for the occasion.