FIBA approves use of glass LED courts for elite tournaments

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has approved the use of LED glass courts in elite-level tournaments, allowing new broadcast experiences and sponsorships activations.

Previously, ‘tier one’ competitions such as the FIBA Basketball World Cup have been required to use wooden flooring for safety reasons and to protect the integrity of competition. However, the governing body is now satisfied that advances in glass floor technology meet the standards expected at its most high-profile competitions.

The change will permits two types of glass floor, both manufactured by the German company ASB.

The ASB MultiSports floor has LED marking lines under it while the ASB LumiFlex floor has a full video floor that allows for interactive training applications and increased show staging, as well as extra advertising choices.

The flooring also allows for player monitoring, displaying accomplishments, and data that improve the viewing experience both in the arena and on the broadcast.

Welcoming the development, ASB Chief Executive, Christof Babinsky stated “we see FIBA as the global organisation to move basketball forward.

“For this, we have a joint vision. We have developed a no-compromise sports floor with, firstly, the athlete in mind. The GlassFloor features ceramic dots for grip, that provide completely equal levels of control across the surface without causing skin burn when falling as well as higher elasticity at equal ball rebound.

“FIBA level one is the most valuable approval in the world of indoor sports and enables our clients to hold high-end basketball tournaments, integrating unseen elements for audience entertainment and advertising.”

ASB claims that its flooring has the best level of shock absorption and flexibility to reduce strain on player joints and provides the rebound value that sports like basketball require.

Glass floors can be used in FIBA competitions from 1st October 2022.

Images: ASB glass floors for basketball. Credit: ASB.