Players can choose from three sides in a Splatoon 3 Splatfest.
Splatfests are recurring, limited-time events in which players answer a themed question by joining a team. Splatoon 3 expanded the format used by its predecessors: the original Splatoon and Splatoon 2 generally offered two choices, while Splatoon 3 presents three. Examples include bread versus rice versus pasta and past versus present versus future.
Each side is associated with one of the three members of Deep Cut: Shiver, Frye, or Big Man. During the event, players compete in Turf War matches and earn clout for their selected team. Results combine several categories, including votes and battle performance, to determine the winning side.
The number three can also create confusion because a standard Splatfest battle is not always a three-team match. Most matches still involve two teams, while Tricolor Turf War, introduced in Splatoon 3, pits a defending team of four against two attacking teams of two. Thus, three refers to the available choices, not necessarily the number of teams in every individual battle.