GENEVA, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- The first qualified teams for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games 3x3 basketball competitions will be decided in December 2027, confirmed on Wednesday by 3x3 Managing Director, Alex Sanchez, of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

Sanchez said the FIBA Central Board recently adopted the FIBA 3x3 Federation Ranking calculation, which will start on December 1, 2025, to extend the ranking period from 12 to 24 months.

"This ensures a more consistent and representative evaluation of national team performance over time. The first qualified team for LA28 will be confirmed in December 2027, beginning a thrilling race to compete against the world's best 3x3 players in one of basketball's most important global cities," he said.

The 3x3 basketball competitions in LA28 expanded participating teams from eight teams per gender to 12, a milestone achievement for the new Olympic sport, which was introduced to the Games for the first time in the Tokyo 2020.

"This is an important milestone for our discipline. The decision reflects the growing demand and recognition of 3x3 basketball worldwide, and it significantly strengthens global representation. For National Federations and players, this change means more opportunities to qualify and more chances to achieve the dream of competing on the Olympic stage," Sanchez said.

"For us, this expansion is more than a structural adjustment. It is a fundamental step forward in the development of 3x3 basketball within the Olympic movement. It will allow more countries (and regions) to share their stories, showcase their talent, and inspire fans everywhere," he added.

The 2025 World Tour is coming to the midway of the season as 10 stops competitions have been completed. Sanchez said, "This season of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour continues to show the remarkable global momentum of the discipline. The sport is expanding at a rapid pace, and we are seizing this opportunity by bringing the World Tour to new and important destinations, while further strengthening existing ones."

Vienna, Austria welcomed its first World Tour stop in June, and Manama, Bahrain will stage the Final for the very first time too. "The atmosphere is vibrant and engaging, and this is reflected not only in the fans who join us on-site but also in the millions who follow us digitally," Sanchez said.

China hosts six of the 18 stops (including the Finals and Challengers) of the World Tour this year, continuing to be one of the center stages of 3x3 basketball worldwide.

"The passion for 3x3 basketball in China and throughout Asia is very special. This demand has seen Shanghai become the home of the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Final through 2028. Chengdu, this year, celebrates its 10th anniversary as a World Tour host, an extraordinary milestone that shows the city's deep connection to 3x3 basketball.

"At the same time, we are also very excited to visit new and returning locations. This season will see World Tour events in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Deqing, and Macao, as well as the continuation of activity in Hong Kong. Deqing is particularly special as a new host that reflects the strong growth of 3x3 basketball in new regions of China. Each of these stops will bring fans closer to the fast-paced action of the sport, while showcasing the unique energy of each city," Sanchez concluded. ■