FIBA Approves Use of LED Glass Flooring at Level 1 Competitions

FIBA is breaking the glass ceiling by installing glass flooring.

The International Basketball Federation is trying a radical new approach to how the game is played with the prospect of glass courts featuring customizable LED lighting at its national team and club competitions. In March this year, FIBA’s Central Board approved the use of LED glass flooring at Level 1 competitions, with the rule coming into force later this year on October 1.

“We are excited to see innovations that offer a holistic experience for both fans and sponsors being accepted at more FIBA competitions,” said Bart Prinssen, head of Equipment and Venue Centre. “This change of rule certainly opens doors for more innovative products to join FIBA’s Equipment & Venue Centre Approval program.”

Level 1 competitions have traditionally been played only on wooden flooring, but with the advancements made in the glass floor technology allowing the system to meet the highest standard of player safety and performance, competition organizers will soon be able to select FIBA Approved Wooden or Glass flooring for their next events.

Currently, two glass floorings designed by ASB GlassFloor have been approved by FIBA’s Equipment & Venue Centre. The ASB MultiSports, a glass sports floor with LED marking lines under the floor, and ASB LumiFlex, a court with a full video floor allowing for interactive training applications as well as an enhanced show staging with additional options for advertising.

The flooring also features the ability to add player tracking to the video floor, making it possible to display athletic achievements on the floor, providing fans with enhanced interaction and better engagement.

“We see FIBA as the global organization to move basketball forward. For this, we have a joint vision,” said ASB Chief Executive Officer Christof Babinsky. “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 1 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.”