Basketball BC withdraws 3×3 Basketball from 2026 BC Summer Games
Basketball BC has announced that its 3×3 program will be withdrawn from the Kelowna 2026 BC Summer Games to allow the organization to reevaluate how the sport aligns with the BC Games and Canada Basketball’s sport development pathway.
Basketball BC has run its 3×3 program at the BC Games since the 2014 BC Summer Games in Nanaimo. The organization plans to reevaluate the development of 3×3 basketball in the province and come back to the BC Games stronger in the future.
“Basketball BC remains committed to growing and enhancing 3×3 basketball in the province,” said Shawn Dheensaw, Executive Director of Basketball BC. “While we have made the difficult decision to withdraw 3×3 from the BC Summer Games, this allows us to realign the competition with the objectives of the Games and strengthen the overall development pathway for athletes, coaches, and officials.
“Our goal is to create sustainable opportunities for participation and excellence in 3×3 basketball and possibly participating in the BC Summer Games in the future.”
Basketball BC will continue to be involved in the BC Summer Games through the 5-on-5 program, providing opportunities for B.C.’s athletes, coaches, and officials from the sport to continue to participate in the BC Games.
“While we are sad that 3×3 basketball will not be part of the 2026 BC Summer Games, we appreciate Basketball BC’s commitment to growing the sport and welcome future discussions when the time is right to explore its return to the BC Games,” said Alison Noble, President and CEO of the BC Games Society.
“We are excited that our partnership with Basketball BC will continue through the 5-on-5 program and we value the long-standing collaboration between our organizations.”
The opportunity to apply for inclusion in the BC Winter or BC Summer Games is extended to all accredited Provincial and Disability Sport Organizations in B.C., including those that have previously withdrawn, ahead of each Games cycle. The next opportunity to apply will be announced prior to the 2028 BC Winter and BC Summer Games.
About the BC Games Society
Established in 1977 by the B.C. Government under the Societies Act, the BC Games Society (the Society) oversees the BC Winter Games and BC Summer Games. The Society also supports the participation of Team BC, the provincial team competing at Canada Games, in national multi-sport Games. Each of these Games provide opportunities for the development of athletes, coaches, and officials in preparation for higher levels of competition. The BC Games also provide important economic and tourism benefits, allowing hosts to profile their communities and benefit from an economic impact in the range of $1.6 million to $2 million. The legacies of the BC Winter and BC Summer Games allow for capacity building in communities across the province resulting in a stronger British Columbia.
