In the late 1980s and early 1990s, 3-on-3 basketball tournaments were relatively uncommon outside the Midwestern United States. The idea for Spokane Hoopfest originated from two separate groups: one composed of individuals from the Midwest who wanted to continue the 3-on-3 tradition they knew from home, and the other focused on raising money for
Special Olympics. The two groups eventually merged under co-founders Rick Betts and Jerry Schmidt, forming the Spokane Hoopfest Association. Organizers faced early challenges in securing support for the inaugural tournament, which proposed closing the streets of downtown Spokane for two full days of basketball—a first for the area. Volunteers went door-to-door to gain the backing of downtown business owners, and eventually, a permit was granted. Thirty-six courts were taped off on downtown streets. The first Spokane Hoopfest took place on June 30 and July 1, 1990, organized by volunteers including founding board members Betts, Schmidt, Dave Jackson, Terry M. Kelly, Dennis Magner, and Rick Steltenpohl. That year, the event hosted 2,009 players on 512 teams. Following its initial success, Hoopfest returned the next summer, beginning an annual tradition of closing the downtown core during the last weekend of June. Over time, Hoopfest evolved beyond a basketball tournament, adding attractions such as youth and adult center courts, games and contests, live music, and merchandise vendors to enhance the event experience. Spokane Hoopfest has grown into the largest 3-on-3 street basketball tournament and family festival of its kind in the world. Annual participation includes more than 6,000 teams and approximately 25,000 players. Teams travel from across the United States, including from states such as Hawaii, Georgia, and Kansas. The event now utilizes over 450 courts to host approximately 14,000 games. By comparison, the second-largest 3-on-3 tournament in the U.S. is estimated to have no more than 1,500 participating teams. The event has a notable economic impact on Spokane each year. A third-party survey conducted in 2006 found that Hoopfest contributes an estimated $39 million to the local economy annually, including spending on lodging, dining, shopping, and entertainment. Beyond the weekend itself, the Spokane Hoopfest Association has donated over $1.6 million to area charities since 1990, supporting organizations such as Special Olympics, youth sports programs, and local court construction and renovation projects. To date, the organization has built or renovated over 27 outdoor basketball courts in area neighborhoods. In 2019,
MultiCare Inland Northwest contributed $1 million to Hoopfest, facilitating the construction of a new basketball complex and Hall of Fame in
Riverfront Park. The donation also secured MultiCare as the exclusive 10-year sponsor of Hooptown USA. More broadly, Spokane Hoopfest has received regional recognition, including the 2003 Agora Award for Business Excellence. The award committee noted that, “No other single event [in Spokane] brings together people of such diverse cultures, economic conditions, and ages for a common purpose... not just basketball. It is cheering for one another, working together, competing fairly, and celebrating Spokane.” As the tournament grew in scale and reputation, Hoopfest began receiving extensive media coverage from local outlets such as
KREM and
The Spokesman-Review. National networks like
ESPN have also highlighted the event, particularly during milestone years or when high-profile athletes have made appearances. ==Tournament Structure==