London Sports Festival’s 3×3 Basketball Court Scores Early Success with Basketball England Takeover

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The Central London Alliance launched an 18-day London Sports Festival featuring a pop-up 3×3 basketball court in Paternoster Square on July 23, 2026. Situated near St Paul’s Cathedral, the facility aims to bring urban sport, community activities, and wellbeing to workers, residents, and visitors in the heart of the city.

According to the Central London Alliance, the opening day welcomed hundreds of participants and spectators in partnership with Basketball England. The initial takeover featured free coaching, skills sessions, and open play for all ages. The activation utilizes equipment and professional coaching support funded by a National Lottery grant awarded by Sport England to the Central London Alliance.

Event Schedule and Inclusive Community Programming

The 18-day festival schedule runs a diverse programming lineup designed for beginners and experienced athletes alike. Key events include a free 3×3 taster session on Friday, July 24, a fully booked sunrise basketball session, and junior coaching led by coach Alex Ducasse alongside Basketball England’s Slam Jam family sessions on Sunday, July 26.

Accessibility remains a core focus of the festival. On Tuesday, July 28, the London Titans will deliver free wheelchair basketball tasters. Additional programming features dedicated sessions for SEND participants run by the London Basketball Association, as well as women-only and Muslim women groups organized by the Black Prince’s Trust. Competitive 3×3 tournaments, corporate challenges, and fitness classes round out the schedule alongside takeover days from LondonHoops x AND1, Bouncewear, Brixton Topcats, and Basketball England’s Aspire Programme.

Partnerships and Broader Festival Context

The Paternoster Square activation is delivered by the Central London Alliance in partnership with Blue Orchid Hospitality and the Cheapside Business Alliance, with backing from London 3×3 and the City of London Corporation. The site also features a large screen broadcasting the Commonwealth Games, connecting visitors to the ongoing sports competitions.

Central London Alliance founder and Chairman Tony Matharu stated that the public response demonstrates the core mission of the London Sports Festival to transform urban spaces into active community hubs. The broader festival extends beyond basketball, offering padel at Tower Hill Terrace and Hay’s Galleria, pickleball and giant volleyball in Guildhall Yard, and panna football in the Crescent.