Article by Adrian Jitea – Published Sunday, March 29, 2026, 3:10 p.m. / Updated Sunday, March 29, 2026, 3:11 p.m.
The German Handball Cup Final Four, scheduled in the famous Lanxess Arena in Cologne, will be played on a surface made of LEDs.
Dynamic sports courts have been used several times in basketball, and now they are making their debut in a major handball competition with the German Cup Final Four.
Premiere in the Final Four of the German Cup
On April 18 and 19, around 20,000 fans are expected to come to the Lanxess Arena in Koln to witness the battle between Fuchse Berlin, Magdeburg, TBV Lemgo and Bergischer.
Spectators will also be treated to a premiere. They will be able to watch animations right on the playing surface, one made of glass.
The classic parquet will be replaced by millions of LED points to display content such as team logos, partner advertisements or real-time statistics, Kicker informs.
“From dynamic sponsor placements and half-time shows to augmented reality shows, we can amplify the experience and provide unparalleled added value to athletes, clubs, federations and sponsors, while fans enjoy a unique experience,” states ASB GlassFloor, the company implementing this innovation in Europe.
Already beaten by Bayern Munich
The technology was tested in the NBA, but also in the hall of the Bayern Munich basketball team, a participant in the Euroleague.
The manufacturer claims that “the patented surface with ceramic dots provides excellent grip, superior to traditional wooden sports flooring. The air cushions between the ceramic dots are designed to prevent friction burns caused by falls. The floor is also significantly more elastic than others, which has a positive effect on the athletes' joints.”
Since the first successful test, the Bavarian company's surface has been used for events such as:
- 2023 U-19 Women's Basketball World Championship (Madrid)
- 2024 NBA All-Star Game (Indianapolis), also in 2024, at the tournament
- 2024 Basketball Champions League Final Four (Belgrade).
Another final Magdeburg – Fuchse Berlin?
The semi-finals of the Cup have been set. On April 18, from 16:45, Lemgo and Fuchse Berlin will face each other. Next, from 19:45, the duel Bergischer – Magdeburg.
If there are no surprises, we will have a new Fuchse – Magdeburg duel. The two faced each other in the last Champions League final, winning cause for Bennet Wiegert's band.
Magdeburg also won the derby played on Saturday in the championship, score 35-33. The 11 goals scored by Mathias Gidsel were not enough, and the Bundesliga title seems decided. With 8 stages left to play, Magdeburg is 7 points ahead of the chasing Flensburg.
The Berlin outfit is 3rd, one point behind Flensburg.
