DETROIT >> Ice Cube’s BIG3 basketball league is returning to Little Caesars Arena on Sunday, July 20.

The league, featuring pros and former pros playing 3-on-3 hoops, is in its eighth season, but this is the first season of the city-based franchise model. Detroit landed a team, known as the Detroit Amplifiers, along with seven other cities.

The season will be 10 weeks, with the league stopping once in each city that now has a franchise. Each of the regular-season weeks will see all of the league’s eight teams competing in that one city.

This season, teams will compete for a $1-million prize.

“This is the most anticipated BIG3 season yet,” Ice Cube, the legendary rapper, said in a statement Wednesday. “The play is harder, the players are tougher, and the league is more competitive than ever. Our fans have the chance to be part of history every week when each team makes their hometown debut. Everyone knows that the BIG3 isn’t just what is done on the court when we come to town, you know there is music, culture, and community to be had. We can’t wait for our fans to meet their teams and experience another summer of the best 3-on-3 basketball.”

The 2025 season will start Saturday, June 14, at Allstate Arena in Chicago.

Tickets for the first four weeks go on sale April 11. Ticket sales for the date in Detroit will be announced at a later date.

The Detroit franchise will be coached by Eastern Michigan and NBA legend George “the Iceman” Gervin.

The Detroit franchise is owned by the GameAbove Sports group.

The BIG3 basketball league has played three times at Little Caesars Arena, most recently in 2023.

The Detroit roster hasn’t been announced.

“Knowing Detroit is ultimately one of the best basketball towns in the country, I think the fans can expect a competitive 3-on-3 team and hopefully a hell of an entertainment product,” said T.J. Lang, a former EMU and NFL star who is an ambassador for GameAbove, owner of the Detroit franchise.

“It’s extremely exciting.”