SPOKANE, Wash. — After waiting for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament is back in the streets of Spokane for its 31st year.

Hoopfest’s new director, Riley Stockton, says there are some changes people should know this year.

“There are some new things. We are having the Northern quest center court in the park this year. We are more thrilled to do that this year. That’s our biggest… new adventure this year,” said Riley Stockton, Executive Director at Hoopfest.

The new center court will be at U.S. Pavilion at Riverfront Park.

Compared to the number of teams signed up in 2019, fewer teams joined this year, but Stockton says the streets are expected to be busy.

“We have less team signed up about 3,500 teams which is still a ton. You know we try to space it out a site a little bit to give people more flexibility to move throughout the site,” Stockton said.

He says give yourself enough time to find parking, and STA shuttle buses will be available.

However, Hoopfest is still looking for more court monitors for the event. If you sign up, you will get a free t-shirt, free shoes, and a free hat. You can find more information on how to sign up HERE.

“You don’t have to have great basketball knowledge to be a court monitor. It takes more organization than anything else but we will make sure to put you on the right court for your knowledge of basketball,” Stockton said.

Brackets will be available next Wednesday afternoon. The actual games will kick off at 8 a.m. next Saturday.

READ: Volunteers needed for Hoopfest, Ironman 70.3