Spain - LED display manufacturer Absen partnered with sports flooring specialists, ASB GlassFloor, to supply its LED technology for the portable ASB GlassFloor system used in the 2023 FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Madrid.
Held biennially, the U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup featured the top 16 qualifying youth women’s national teams from around the world, who competed in a 56-game tournament during the month of July.
As one of the hosts of the event, the WiZink Centre, home arena of Real Madrid’s basketball team, wanted to ensure the venue delivered an unforgettable and fully immersive experience for both players and spectators. In doing so, the venue enlisted the help of German sports floor solution specialists, ASB GlassFloor to install its innovative full-size digital LED glass floor, displaying not only court lines for play, but also imagery and video.
The high-performance and high-definition LED panels feature high-grade electronics and advanced mechanical design. Specifically designed for live events, virtual production and XR stages, the panels support HDR (High Dynamic Range) display, capable of producing more realistic and colourful images.
Absen’s LED panels also boast a thin design which allows for easy operation and installation, and they are suited for both indoor and outdoor applications.
“We strategically selected Absen as our LED supplier due to the impressive quality of their products and the company’s outstanding customer service. Absen has been a professional partner, providing continuous support and the product quality required to achieve the desired results,” explains Christof Babinsky, managing director of ASB GlassFloor.
With the use of this technology, which was made possible by the FIBA Central Board’s implemented rule change in 2022, to allow the use of LED glass flooring at Level 1 competitions, the floor has been successfully implemented in several events already and will be used for future competitions, thanks to the floor’s ability to be dismantled and installed for a range of rental opportunities.
“This partnership marks a transformative milestone in the world of sport. We’re delighted with the outcome and exceptional experience it provided for the monumental occasion and future tournaments players and spectators can look forward to,” explains Emma Liu, general manager of live business division for Absen. “It demonstrates the extensive capabilities of Absen products and our exceeding ability to provide innovative and exhilarating solutions for a wide range of sporting environments."
“We are delighted with the results. Players, coaches, broadcasters and organisers at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup have been excited and honoured to be part of the premiere of the ground-breaking ASB GlassFloor in professional sports. Sports and AV professionals are now convinced this is the future for indoor sports,” says Babinsky.
