Rabo 3x3 Street League finals: from the local courts to the biggest 3x3 stage in the Netherlands

5 July, 2026

If one weekend showed what 3X3 Unites stands for, it was the 3X3 Festival. Alongside the best 3x3 players in the world, the winners of the Rabo 3x3 Street League also competed for the national title. From the local court to the biggest 3x3 event in the Netherlands: exactly what the mission of 3X3 Unites is all about. From the streets to the top.

The Rabo 3x3 Street League once started as an idea from 3X3 Leader Quincy Winter. He wondered why the young people who met each other every week on the local courts during the 3X3 Unites activations couldn't also compete against each other in a league format. Especially during the summer months, when it stays light until late and many young people spend time outside.

Today, the Rabo 3x3 Street League has grown into the largest and most accessible 3x3 basketball competition in the Netherlands. Free of charge and open to everyone who wants to play basketball. Across the country, in 21 districts, a total of 461 teams competed against each other on local courts over three weekends. The winners from each district qualified for the finals, which were held at the 3X3 Festival for the first time.

While the world's best male and female 3x3 players competed during the FIBA 3x3 World Tour and the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series in the main stadium, the teams in the Rabo 3x3 Street League Finals battled for the national titles in their age categories on courts elsewhere on the festival grounds. "The participants also had access to the rest of the festival, so they were able to watch the world's best players as well", says Karin Kuijt, Regional Lead and Street League Coordinator.

Even more special, the teams in the 18+ category played their finals in the main stadium. In front of packed stands at the NDSM Wharf, Team Zwolle claimed the men's title, while ZZ Leiden won the women's national championship. Karin: "It was amazing that we could give them a place in the stadium. Literally: from the streets to the top."

In total, around 80 teams competed in the Rabo 3x3 Street League Finals. The players were easy to recognise throughout the 3X3 Festival, as every participant received an official 3X3 Unites jersey. "The jerseys were even reversible," says Karin. "I absolutely loved them - I got one myself."

The Rabo 3x3 Street League Finals were played on four specially built courts throughout the 3X3 Festival. What stood out was the great atmosphere around the courts. Parents, coaches and supporters passionately cheered from the sidelines, while music played in the background. "The setting was unique", says Mark Schuurman, co-founder of 3X3 Unites. "It shows that playing a game of basketball on your local court can lead to so much more within the 3X3 Unites ecosystem."

He emphasises that the Rabo 3x3 Street League is organised by the 3X3 Leaders themselves, giving them the opportunity to develop both on and off the court. They help organise the events and everything that comes with them, from inviting teams and creating match schedules to producing content. In this way, young people can also continue to grow beyond the court, progressing to the Rabo 3X3 PRO Cup and the 3X3 Festival. From the streets to the top.

The national finals at the 3X3 Festival captured exactly the energy that defines the Rabo 3x3 Street League. Teams competed with passion, supporters loudly cheered them on, and players proudly represented their districts. At the same time, new connections were made between young people from all over the Netherlands who otherwise would probably never have met.

Karin is already looking forward to next year. "I think the national finals at the 3X3 Festival will give next year's Rabo 3x3 Street League qualifiers a huge boost. Once young people see the videos and hear from other participants how amazing it was to play the finals at the 3X3 Festival, I'm sure even more teams will want to earn that opportunity next year."