3x3 basketball and wheelchair basketball are the Commonwealth Games’ newest sports, delivering non-stop action, drama and medal moments for Team England.

Here is a slam dunk of all you should know before the shot clock starts.

What is 3x3 basketball?

3x3 basketball is a faster format of basketball, with teams of three facing off on a half-court, shooting at one basket, similar to the pickup game.

The variant of the sport prioritises players who are all-rounders, and forces basketballers to rely on instinct and taking risks. 

Matches are played until 10 minutes have passed or until a team scores 21 points. Shots taken outside the arc are worth two points, and shots from inside the arc are worth one point.

Making a free throw adds another point to your tally. Free throws are unopposed shots from close range in front of the basket, and are awarded when a foul is called.

From receiving the ball, a team has 12 seconds to shoot at the basket, or the ball is turned over.


If teams are level after 10 minutes and neither side has reached 21 points, teams play first-to-two-points overtime to decide the winner.

To stop a team from collecting a rebound and immediately taking a shot, all attacks must start outside the arc to reset the play.

In 5x5 basketball, fouls are given to players, but in 3x3, they are given to the team, however, if a player is responsible for two unsportsmanlike fouls, they are ejected from the game.

Teams must keep an eye on the count because it can have a major impact on the game, as from the seventh to the ninth team foul, two free throws are automatically awarded, and from the 10th onwards, the referees award two free throws and possession of the ball against the offending team.

The foul count never resets and carries over into overtime if necessary.

What are the rules of 3x3 wheelchair basketball?

Just like 3x3 basketball, the wheelchair version is fast-paced and thrilling, lasting just 10 minutes or until 21 points are scored.

In 3x3 wheelchair basketball, each team also consists of three players on the court and one substitute.

Players are classified according to their physical abilities and, at any given time, the combined classification points of the three players on the court cannot exceed 8.5 points.

Those with greater functional ability are assigned a higher number of points.

At Glasgow 2026, the 3x3 basketball tournament will consist of 12 teams, while the 3x3 wheelchair basketball event features eight.


What is the Commonwealth Games format?

3x3 basketball, as well as wheelchair basketball, made their Commonwealth Games debut at Birmingham 2022, replacing the 5x5 full-court game which appeared at Melbourne 2006 and Gold Coast 2018.

The wheelchair squads first enter the arena on Friday 24 July. England face Australia twice on the opening day in Ashes clashes, with both sides wanting to avenge semi-final defeats from Birmingham.

The next morning, the defending men’s champions begin their gold medal defence against Singapore, before meeting hosts Scotland in the afternoon.

England's women start the charge towards another medal-winning Games against Jamaica and Fiji that same day. 

Group winners qualify for the semi-finals, while second- and third-place finishers progress into a quarter-final ‘play-in’.

The quarter-finals take place on Tuesday 28 July, before a bumper Finals Day on Wednesday 29 July, with the semi-finals in the afternoon and medal matches in the evening.

What are England’s 3x3 memories?

England clinched medals in all 3x3 basketball and 3x3 wheelchair basketball events in 2022, including gold in the men’s basketball.

Local boy Myles Hesson’s overtime two-pointer to win gold was a highlight of the Birmingham Games, as Smithfield erupted to celebrate their hometown hero.

The women also claimed silver while both wheelchair sides won bronze medals, equalling Canada and Australia for medals won in 3x3 basketball.

In Glasgow, Team England will be looking to better the two 3x3 wheelchair basketball bronze medals they claimed at Birmingham 2022.

Who will take to the court?

Jamell Anderson returns to the 3x3 men’s squad, and is joined by Ashley Hamilton, Evan Walshe and Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye.

Anderson, Hamilton and Walshe have the advantage of game time together, after a season on the 3x3 World Tour with London 3x3.

Shanice Beckford-Norton and Cheridene Green also return in the women’s quartet heading to Glasgow, as Georgia Gayle and Katie Januszewska make their debuts.

Lucy Robinson is the sole new name in the wheelchair women’s squad, as Charlotte Moore, Joy Haizelden and Jade Atkin chase gold medals to add to their collection.

Lastly, an all-new wheelchair men’s foursome of James Hazell, Tom Harvey, Oscar Knight and Peter Cusack will take to the court.

Sportsbeat 2026