SPOKANE, Wash. — The world’s largest three-on-three basketball tournament is back in Spokane.
Hoopfest 2019 will bring thousands of sports enthusiasts to the city for two days of basketball on 422 courts.
There are a variety of ways to join in the Hoopfest fun apart from the three-on-three games, including the chance to win cash prizes, compete in competitions and chow down on some good grub.
Here is your comprehensive guide to Spokane's biggest basketball weekend.
Check-in
Hoopfest check-in is at the Bennett Block Parking Lot next to Nike Center Court and the Nike Store.
Teams will find out where they are playing and receive their game schedules during check-in.
Check-in runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday.
Some of the most unique Hoopfest 2019 jerseys
Road closures
A handful of roads will be closed in downtown Spokane through the end of the weekend.
Closures for the event begin Friday, June 28, at 7 p.m. and extend through Sunday, June 30 at 10 p.m.
The following streets will be closed:
- 1st Avenue from Post to Howard Street
- Sprague Avenue from Howard to Monroe Street o Riverside Avenue from Bernard to Monroe Street
- Main Avenue from Lincoln to Browne Street o Spokane Falls Boulevard from Washington to Lincoln Street
- Summit Parkway from Monroe to Lincoln Street o Broadway Avenue from Monroe to Post Street o
- Mallon Avenue from Monroe to Howard Street o Dean Avenue from Howard to Washington Street
- Post Street from Main to 1st Avenue
- Wall Street from Spokane Falls Boulevard to First Avenue
- Howard Street from Main to Spokane Falls Boulevard
- Stevens Avenue from Washington Street Bridge to Riverside Avenue
- Washington Street from N. River Drive to Sprague Avenue
Cars must be moved from these streets by 7 p.m. on Friday or they will be towed.
Monroe, Lincoln, Browne and Division Streets, along with 2nd and 3rd Avenues, will be open throughout downtown Spokane.
The City of Spokane says the River Park Square parking garage will be accessible via Lincoln Street, and Howard Street will be open from First to Main Avenue for those parking at the Parkade.
STA Hoop Loop
If you rather skip the hassle of driving your car to Hoopfest and finding parking, you can easily travel to and from the action with the Spokane Transit Authority’s Hoop Loop.
An all-day pass for $2 gets you unlimited rides on any STA bus route on both Saturday and Sunday. Passes can be purchased on any bus.
Buses at the Riverpoint and Jefferson Hoop Loops run every 10 minutes on Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. A map with directions to the loops is available on the Hoopfest website.
The STA Plaza will be closed to bus traffic during Hoopfest weekend. Alternative busing zones are located on Howard Street between 1st and 4th Avenues, and 2nd and 3rd Avenues between Wall and Stevens Streets.
Lime bikes, scooters not allowed
If you planned on using Lime bikes and scooters to make your way through Hoopfest this weekend, you may need to come up with a new plan.
City leaders say the WheelShare vehicles are prohibited beginning Friday at 6 p.m. through Sunday at 10 p.m.
All Lime vehicles must be parked at one of the preferred parking zones outside of the prohibited areas.
A detailed map of those areas is available below:
Food vendors
Looking to refuel after a big game? Hoopfest has you covered.
Dozens of vendors are serving up food in Riverfront Park and the downtown area.
Some of the vendors include Azar’s Café, Berry Ka-Bob, Mary Lou’s Ice Cream, Longhorn BBQ and Mac Daddy’s Gourmet Grub.
A full list of vendors is available on the Hoopfest website.
Contests
If you are not a champion on the three-on-three courts, don’t fret. Other contests can give you the opportunity to leave Hoopfest victorious.
Those ages 18 and older can compete in the Toyota Shootoff. Dates and qualifying rounds, along with prizes for winners, will be available on the Hoopfest website.
The cost to compete is $10 for three shots.
Contestants also have the chance to win prizes during three other challenges: Free Throw, Three-Point and Hot Shot Competitions. The different age groups include adult, high school and youth.
Prizes up for grabs include an Xbox One, an iPad, an official Hoopfest 2019 game ball and gift cards to the Hoopfest store.
It costs $5 to compete.
The Slam Dunk Competition takes place at Nike Center Court this year. Contestants must sign up at the area before the qualifying round begins on Sunday.
It costs $10 to participate in the Slam Dunk Competition.
Nike Center Court is located in between Main Street and Spokane Falls Boulevard in the Bennett Block.
The best part: all of the events and contests at Hoopfest are free to watch.
'Cash Dash'
Those who do not consider themselves athletic still have a chance to win cash prizes.
Hoopfest staff members have hidden 40 mini basketballs throughout the region – including Spokane, Wenatchee and the Tri-Cities – as part of the event’s “Cash Dash.”
Each ball has an amount ranging from $10 to $2,500. Clues on where to find them are posted on Hoopfest’s and Numerica CU’s Instagram pages.
The game is open to everyone 18 and older.
Participants who find a ball can pick up their prize at Hoopfest on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Players will compete in a “dash” to run and claim their prize. Players must be physically present to receive their prize and each person can only claim one ball.
