MIES (Switzerland) – The FIBA Equipment & Venue Centre Summit 2026, held in Berlin during the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026, brought together 137 representatives from partner companies from around the world.
Held every two years, the Summit brings together partners and stakeholders to exchange ideas, explore emerging trends and help shape the future direction of the industry alongside FIBA, while gaining valuable insights into the organization's growing business network.
In its third edition, the 2026 Summit focused on the key drivers shaping basketball's future, with discussions further exploring quality standards and venue certification, the sport's global growth opportunities, the continued expansion of 3x3 basketball, and the role of cutting-edge technology in enhancing the game and fan experience.
Throughout the two days, attendees heard from a range of industry experts through keynote presentations and panel discussions, including opening remarks from FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis and insights on basketball's commercial growth from Director General of FIBA Media and Marketing Services Frank Leenders.
One of the key developments announced during the Summit was the introduction of Certifications as the fourth pillar of the FIBA Equipment & Venue Centre, alongside Quality & Testing, Innovation and Networking, setting a strategic direction for the FIBA Venue Certification program.
The new pillar aims to create additional value for manufacturers and providers of FIBA Approved products by directly engaging their end customers. FIBA Venue Certification was launched in China in 2025 as a pilot program and represents the next chapter in expanding the impact of the FIBA Equipment & Venue Centre beyond product approval and testing.
Bart Prinssen, Head of FIBA's Equipment & Venue Centre, said: "For almost four decades, our Approval Program for basketball equipment, 3x3 and outdoor basketball products, and software technologies has earned the trust and recognition of the industry.
"Through this exclusive network and our commitment to quality, we continue to create value for the basketball ecosystem by proactively addressing its evolving needs. The addition of Certifications as a new pillar is a positive step forward, enabling us to further support our partners and strengthen the standards of basketball facilities around the world."
The two-day program also provided partners with updates on software testing and technical standards, and showcased innovative technologies currently being deployed across basketball, including optical tracking systems, wearable player tracking solutions and LED glass flooring technology. Day two saw partners join the FIBA Women in Basketball Forum, which brought together stakeholders from across the game to explore ways to accelerate the growth of women's basketball.
Today, the FIBA Equipment & Venue Centre business network includes sports equipment manufacturers, global consumer brands, technology leaders and a growing number of Accredited Test Institutes, all working together to support quality, innovation and the continued development of basketball worldwide.
For more information about the FIBA Equipment & Venue Centre and its partner network, click here.
FIBA