Hooplandia, powered by Hoop It Up and presented by Explore Western Mass., begins Friday, June 20, with a festive Hooptacular, followed by tournament play Saturday and Sunday, June 21-22.The event is produced by Eastern States Exposition (ESE) and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Admission is free for attendees throughout the weekend, and on-site parking is free on Friday and $10 on Saturday and Sunday. Hooplandia will take place rain or shine.

Hoops have been installed throughout the byways of ESE, where most games will take place. Select youth championship games will be held at the Basketball Hall of Fame on Sunday. Players, families, friends, basketball aficionados and the public are invited to attend to see great basketball, attend clinics, enjoy fantastic food, live entertainment and meet special guests!

Friday Night Hooptacular, sponsored by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, June 20

Hooptacular activities take place near Gate 9A and on the lawn of the Mallary Complex. In the event of inclement weather, all activities and rivalry games will be moved to the Mallary Complex.

Friday is a free, community-wide Hooptacular, with skills competitions, community courts, music and rivalry games, including the Western Mass. Championships rematch when the boys varsity teams from Springfield Central High School and Pope Francis Preparatory School battle it out once more. Parking is free on Friday.

Run of Show

• 3pm: Team Check-In at Gate 9A and Festival Begins
  • Skills competition registration opens
  • Outdoor courts open to the public for free gameplay
  • Food vendors open
• 3:30pm: Competitions—Showcase Court 1
  • Hotshot Challenge and 3-Point Competition
• 6pm: Opening Ceremony Begins—Showcase Court 1
  • National Anthem
  • Opening remarks
• 6:30pm: Central High School Girls vs Longmeadow High School Girls, Chicopee High School Boys vs Holyoke High School Boys
• 7pm: Central High School Boys vs Pope Francis Preparatory School Boys, West Springfield High School Boys vs Agawam High School Boys
• 7:30pm: Closing Ceremony and Rivalry Game Awards Presentation
• 8pm: Gates Close

Tournament Play Saturday and Sunday, June 21-22

Tournament play will take place on outside and inside courts as assigned. In the event of inclement weather, adjustments will be made.

Nearly 1,000 players will compete in the event. The fast-paced play will begin promptly at 9am each day.Gates as well as food and beverage concessions open at 8am. All teams will play a minimum of three games for a weekend of nonstop, ‘round-the-shot-clock gameplay, and it all takes place in Greater Springfield, Mass., where the sport got its start.

All weekend long, jam out to the hottest hits by DJ Meechie, official DJ of the UConn Huskies. Saturday, we introduce DJ Splash and DJ Antdowe to the fold. Sunday brings DJ Architect to the tournament as well as the return of DJ Onyx. Experience ARCY Live!, the dramatic and unique artistry of ARCY, a Connecticut-based muralist known for his paint-splashed, large-scale street art, all three days. Fan activities are available throughout the grounds. Be sure to elevate your kicks at the event’s at Visitors’ Center East on Saturday when Designs by Amanda Kate brings her bedazzling game, and on Sunday when Sneaker Artist Vinnie Ducharme steps on the scene! For custom airbrush designs, visit the T-shirt art stations.

On Saturday, Brian Scalabrine, former Boston Celtics player and current announcer for the team, will host a clinic on the Hooplandia courts from 11am-12pm, followed by a meet and greet. Got hops? Give us your best when social media sensation, Jumps by Chi, hosts a jump contest at 12pm!

Saturday from 1-2pm, Kevin “Showboat” Jackson of the Harlem Triksterz takes to the courts to show off his trick shots and winning comedy. A brief intermission will allow time for the presentation of the Bulkley Richardson Leadership Award at 1:30pm. Showboat returns on Sunday from 1-2pm.

Championship games will begin as early as Sunday at 1:30pm at both ESE and the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Hooplandia offers several clinics to elevate your game.

Hooplandia Clinics and Entertainment

Saturday, June 21

• 11am: Brian Scalabrine Clinic
• 12pm: Brian Scalabrine Meet & Greet
• 12pm: Jump Contest with Jumps by Chi
• 1pm: Kevin “Showboat” Jackson Performance

Sunday, June 22

• 11am: Sun Academy, the official youth basketball platform of the Connecticut Sun
• 12pm: UMass Minutemen Clinic
• 1pm: Kevin “Showboat” Jackson Performance

All clinics and entertainment take place at the outdoor showcase court location.

Food and Beverage Vendors: Food trucks and ESE concessions will serve their signature dishes as well as beverages for adults and children and sports drinks throughout the event.

• Lattitude Restaurant’s 850 Artisan Wood Fired Pizza Truck—Near Door 7 of the Better Living Center
• The Mick Express at ESE*—Young Building
• Macho Taco—Near Door 7 of the Better Living Center
• Farmers Market Wine Bar, featuring Wine Slushies* and Child Slushies
• Kona Ice of Manchester—Near Door 7 of the Better Living Center
• Eddie Shore Enterprises
  • The Hub—Mallary Complex*
  • The Penalty Box—Mallary Complex*
  • Xena’s Café— Near Door 7 of the Better Living Center
• Storrowton Tavern Restaurant & Patio*
• Stella’s Milk and Cookies—Near Door 7 of the Better Living Center
• Sweetera & Co.—Near Door 7 of the Better Living Center

*Adult beverages served

Shop the official Hooplandia merch location inside Gate 9A for original Hooplandia gear, the official Hooplandia game ball, created by Spaulding, and so much more.

Admission to Hooplandia is FREE all three days of the tourney. Parking is free on Friday only. Parking is $10 per vehicle on Saturday and Sunday for teams, families and the general public in Gate 9, located at 875 Memorial Avenue in West Springfield, Mass.

Visit www.Hooplandia.com for more event details and information and follow our socials @Hooplandia on Instagram and @Hooplandia Nation on Facebook.