WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Eastern States Exposition and the Basketball Hall of Fame held a news conference to announce plans for Hooplandia, the largest 3×3 basketball competition and festival on the East Coast.
The greater Springfield area is ready for the Hooplandia basketball competition and celebration after clearing nearly three years of scheduling hurdles due to the pandemic. Co-hosted by the Eastern States Exposition and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, this event is planned for June 23 through 25 of next year. It will not only celebrate the game of basketball in its birthplace, but will also be the largest event of it’s kind on the East Coast, rivaling Hoopfest in Spokane, Washington.
Eastern States Exposition President Gene Cassidy said, “To get Springfield on the map in the way it should be, with this 3 on 3 festival… the fact the Spokane, Washington is known as Hooptown USA is so offensive to me. That has to be here in Springfield. I am very, very excited today.”
According to a news release sent to 22News from Eastern State Exposition, the event features the following:
- 70+ outdoor blacktop courts will be placed throughout the roadway and parking lot network of Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds in West Springfield.
- Slam-Dunk, 3-Point, Free Throw, Dribble Course, Vertical Jump and Full Court Shot skills competitions.
- Themed State Courts for all six New England states.
- Featured “Showcase Games” will be held on new court surfaces in the historic Eastern States Coliseum and on the Court of Dreams, the center court of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
- A festival environment throughout the weekend with food, music, entertainment and family activities.
Hooplandia will take place both on the grounds of the Eastern States exposition and the Basketball Hall of Fame.
“Championships will be played at the Basketball Hall of Fame on center court. So the idea is having the amenity of the Hall of Fame is kind of the level, if you will, to really differentiate this from Spokane, Washington or really any other 3 on 3 in the country,” said John Dolvea, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Hooplandia will feature hundreds of games and all abilities from kids, to Special Olympians, to elite pro players. Organizers anticipate thousands of players and an economic boost from the event. Local basketball fans are looking forward to attending the event.
“Yeah, of course I plan on attending! Basketball, I love the sport. So I want, I always make sure I play with my friends and you know all my peers and everything,” said Meliah Tomak of Agawam.
Start thinking about making your team, registration will be available starting on March 1, 2023.