LED video floors have gradually made their way into the sports industry, replacing traditional hardwood floors. These LED floors not only offer better protection but also enrich sports events. In addition to functioning as playing surfaces, the floors are also versatile platforms for advertising campaigns, eliminating the need for court advertising stickers. This change helps reduce the risk of player injuries and brings more entertainment and commercial opportunities, increasing the efficiency of sports venues.

Recently, the University of Kentucky’s basketball team in the United States and China’s "Celebrity Game" event have both started using LED courts, aiming to provide spectators with a brand-new, immersive experience.

University of Kentucky Basketball Unveils Court with LED Video Floor

During the kickoff event for the University of Kentucky’s basketball season, the team unveiled the use of an LED glass floor in their home court (Rupp Arena). The University of Kentucky will be the first ever college to employ such a cutting-edge flooring system.

Image credit: The University of Kentucky

The LED glass floor display is provided by the German manufacturer ASB GlassFloor. According to the UK basketball association, this revolutionary flooring aims to enhance player performance and offer fans a more immersive experience. It is described as an odorless, ceramic-dotted floor made from eco-friendly and durable materials such as glass and aluminum, with LED lights capable of lasting at least 100,000 hours.

Image credit: The University of Kentucky

ASB GlassFloor expressed its vision that LED glass floors will become a key component of future sports events. These floors allow for video display, advertising, and collaborative graphics, capabilities that traditional hardwood courts familiar to basketball and volleyball fans cannot offer.

China’s Celebrity Game Features LED Court

In China, LED floor displays are also gaining traction at various events. On October 10, 2024, the 2024 Celebrity Game in Shanghai showcased the use of an LED video floor. Numerous entertainers participated in basketball games and performed songs and dances on the state-of-art floor, creating a completely new visual experience for the audience.

Image credit: JUSS EVENT

Image credit: JUSS EVENT

The sports industry has seen a growing number of instances where LED displays have replaced traditional flooring materials. This shift has continuously enhanced the entertainment and commercial value of games, injecting new momentum into the entire industry and bringing fresh perspectives on the application of LED displays.

As early as 2021, the LED video glass floor was first used as a competition surface during the 3×3 basketball games in Bochum, a city of the Ruhr district in Germany. Subsequently, LED floor displays made their appearance at the 2023 FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup.

This year, the NBA also incorporated LED courts for the first time during the NBA All-Star Weekend. The displays feature Absen’s PL series, offering excellent brightness and color consistency, along with superior load-bearing capacity and impact resistance, thereby providing athletes with a stable and safe environment during the game.

Image credit: Absen

In Europe, FC Bayern Munich’s basketball team announced in August that an LED video glass floor will be installed at its home venue (BMW Park) for the upcoming season. The new flooring system boasts advanced features such as real-time data display and enhanced safety measures that reduce the risk of player injuries.

Image credit: EuroLeague Basketball

Additionally, Greek basketball club Panathinaikos BC AKTOR confirmed its plan to install an LED video floor at its OAKA Arena in Athens, making them the first team to host Euroleague games on this cutting-edge court for the 2024-25 season.

Conclusion

Currently, the application and development of LED video floors in the sports field are still in the early stages, with most cases being in short-term, non-intensive sports events. However, as mentioned in this article, LED floor displays are steadily earning more acceptance among professional sports event organizers, potentially becoming a pivotal tool for the evolution of professional sports.

TrendForce 2025 Global LED Video Wall Market Outlook and Price Cost Analysis

Release Date: 30 September 2024
Language: Traditional Chinese / English
Format: PDF
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