This Saturday, 21 September, from 9 AM to 7 PM, motion and street party take centre stage in Kista! In addition to the traditional Kistaloppet, there will also be an exciting street basketball competition where teams will face each other in a 3-on-3 format. Come and experience an unforgettable day filled with sports, celebration, and great vibes at Kista Innovation Park!
3x3 is a competitive version of street basketball, developed by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). It’s a simplified, more physical form of basketball. The growth and spread of 3x3 have skyrocketed globally, now recognized as “The No. 1 urban team sport in the world,” and it made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2021 Games!
Now, 3x3 basketball is coming to Kista, and there’s no better place to host this fun format than at Kista Innovation Park on the blue mat.
Aleksandar Petrovic, known as Aleks, is a well-known figure in the 3x3 scene in Sweden. Besides being the initiator of 3x3 street basketball and bringing the popular sport to Kista Innovation Park this Saturday, he’s also one of the top players in the country and a member of Lidingö 3x3, also known as Guns and Buckets (GNB). Aleks has been ranked among the best players in Sweden and the Nordics for the past five years, and he’s excited for Saturday!
Why is Kista, and specifically Kista Innovation Park, a great fit for 3x3 street basketball?
"The area shares our vision for 3x3 basketball: activating public spaces and giving young people a chance for spontaneous sports."
How long have you been active?
"We’ve organized over 20 official tournaments worldwide since 2019."
What is your goal with your work?
"Our goal is to promote spontaneous sports, integrate culture and basketball to create new communities. We believe we can achieve this by sparking interest in this newly recognized Olympic sport, from grassroots to professional ambitions."
What’s the best thing about street basketball according to you?
"It’s fast, intense, and anyone can join in without much formality – all you need are shoes, a ball, and two friends!"
What are you most looking forward to this Saturday?
"The most exciting thing is hosting in a new location, attracting new faces to the sport, and tackling new challenges. It’s going to be amazing to be part of a larger, recurring activation of an area!"
Could this become a recurring competition in Kista?
"It could definitely become a regular event. With a great space like Kista Innovation Park and proximity to restaurants, it has huge potential for exciting 3x3 games during the warmer months."
Preliminary Match Times:
U13: 10.00 AM – 13.00 PM
U15: 10.00 AM – 13.00 PM
U19: 12.00 PM – 15.00 PM
MIXED: 12.00 PM – 15.00 PM
FREE PLAY: 15.00 PM - 19.00 PM
Basketball player? Register your team by September 20!
At Kista Innovation Park this Saturday, there will also be live music with both street jazz and a lineup of DJs from House of Music, street art, and plenty of food options ranging from Indian and burgers to street food and vegetarian dishes.
Bring your friends for a day full of good vibes! See you this Saturday at Kista Innovation Park!
