FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK CITY (September 1, 2026) – The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) has partnered with the New York Polic Department and the NYC Mayor’s Office for the fourth consecutive year. Through this partnership, the AAU is set to host the fourth annual AAU Times Square Takeover on September 12th and 13th.

More than 100 youth 3-on-3 basketball teams will travel to the basketball mecca for the two-day event under the bright lights of the city. Some big names in the sport will stop by to check out the fast-paced action, including former New York Knicks players, basketball content creators, and one of the NBA’s top trainers. Chris Brickley, Tristan Jass, Jerome Williams and more will be in attendance.

“We are excited to be back in the heart of New York City and creating unforgettable memories for so many youth athletes,” said Jo Mirza, AAU President. “The NYPD and the Mayor’s office continue to make this AAU Urban Initiative event a massive success. This year will see even more athletes and amazing contributors bringing a new energy to the event.”

This marquee event will feature boys teams from 3rd grade through 12th grade and girls teams from 6th to 12th grade showcasing their skills on the streets of New York. Eight half courts will be set up across Broadway and 45^th – 48^th Street Pedestrian Plaza. The AAU Times Square Takeover is part of the AAU Cares – Urban Initiative Program, which strives to provide participation opportunities for historically underserved youth.

Through AAU Cares, the event also brings back Buckets Over Bullying for the second year. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to stopping cyberbullying through education, advocacy, and legal help. Tristan Jass, Buckets Over Bullying’s board member and basketball social media star, will be in attendance at the event educating others on the importance of digital safety.

He will be joined by one of the top basketball trainers in the world, Chris Brickley, as well as other basketball influencers and content creators. Athletes will have the opportunity to meet these top influencers as well as former New York Knicks players throughout the event. 

The New York Police Department will be on site with their youth basketball program, Blue Chips. The AAU has worked closely with the Commissioner and the Captain to make this event possible and to tie in the NYPD’s youth initiatives.

For schedule and more information, visit https://basketball.exposureevents.com/270218/aau-3-on-3-times-square-takeover. For more information on upcoming AAU Boys and Girls Basketball events, visit our websites: https://aausports.org/boys-basketball & https://aausports.org/girls-basketball.

Click here for photos and videos from last year’s event.

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Media Contacts:

Troy MacNeill, AAU Marketing Manager

O: 407-828-3055 | troy@aausports.org

ABOUT the AAU:

The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is the largest, non-profit, event-driven multi-sports organizations in the country. Founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in sports, the AAU philosophy of “Sports For All, Forever” is now shared by nearly 1,000,000 members and 150,000 volunteers across 45 sports programs and 55 U.S. districts annually. For more information, visit www.aausports.org.