On 25 May 2025, BMW Park in Munich hosted a landmark event in international sport. For the first time, an official international volleyball match was played on a full LED video sports floor, developed by ASB GlassFloor. The occasion coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Bavarian Volleyball Association and featured a match between Germany’s men’s national team and current world champions, Italy.
The match attracted close to 7,000 spectators and delivered a closely contested five-set encounter. Despite a determined performance, the German side was narrowly defeated 2:3 (19:25, 22:25, 25:20, 25:20, 7:15) by the world-ranked No. 5 team. The event was widely seen as a success, both in terms of sporting spectacle and innovation.
René Beck, Chief Financial Officer of the German Volleyball Association, described the event as a significant moment for the sport. “The match against Italy was a true highlight – not only athletically, but also in terms of presentation,” he said. “The glass floor allowed for a unique visual experience, incorporating animated player introductions, national flags during the anthems, and dynamic effects following each point.”
Beck highlighted the atmosphere in the arena as particularly notable. “It was a rare combination of elite sport and digital visualisation. For the players, it was a remarkable setting, and the fans clearly appreciated the new dimension it brought to the game.”
German national team player Erik Röhrs also responded positively to the experience. “Playing on the video floor is special,” he said. “It’s ideal for high-profile matches – from advertising and visual effects to player highlights.” Röhrs described the projection of the national flag across the court during the anthem as a standout moment, adding that the floor’s physical properties were also well suited to performance. “It’s slightly firmer, with a subtle warmth – it felt great to play on. Experiences like this are important for the development of the sport.”
BMW Park, which serves as the home venue for FC Bayern Basketball, has featured the permanently installed ASB GlassFloor since the 2024/25 season. The high-tech surface offers standardised playing conditions alongside enhanced opportunities for sponsor integration and fan engagement through immersive visual content.
