Basketball courts are just like blank canvases. There is so much room for creativity, and the designers of these 9 courts redefine the limits of sports design.
When art meets sport, the results almost always turn out incredible, and they truly show that beyond the hoops and baskets, there is so much room for expression.
Across the globe, there are many examples of this, especially in the world of basketball. A simple court can easily be transformed into something more.
Here are nine of the most beautifully designed basketball courts.
1. This vibrant court in Paris
The Pigalle basketball court in Paris, France is one of the most vibrant spots in the city. Sandwiched in between two buildings, the team behind this court made use of bright hues of orange, yellow, and violet, mimicking the colors of a sunset, extending the design up to the walls surrounding the basketball floor.
2. Veniceball
As one of the most visited neighborhoods in Los Angeles, Venice Beach is not short on outdoor basketball courts, and one of the most well-known ones features this monochromatic design inspired by their next-door neighbor, the Pacific ocean.
This is also one of the home courts of the popular summer leagues, the Venice Basketball League.
3. Munich mounds
Quite possibly one of the most unique basketball courts lies in Munich, Germany. Though the entire space is the size of a regular basketball court, the shape of its floor is anything but regular. With it’s “groove-like” flooring designed by Inges Idee, its 3D features make it look almost more like a skateboard park, leaving basketball players to get a little bit more creative (and challenged) when playing here.
4. The Tenement
One of our very own home courts in the Philippines, The Tenement, was named FIBA’s best basketball court in the world in 2022 after receiving majority of votes on their public poll. The court in Taguig was lauded by many basketball fans for its heartwarming mural that honored the late Kobe Bryant his daughter Gigi.
5. A bright spot in Lisbon
This Lisbon basketball court has become one of the most popular examples of how art can be tied to sports. Designed by street artist AkaCorleone, he created this masterpiece that features a the king and queen in a deck of cards, meant to symbolize “balance.”
6. This 3D-printed court
Although only a half-court in size, this 3×3 basketball court takes technology and art to the next level in the world of sports. Designer Yinka Ilori took his British and Nigerian heritage to design a pastel-and-neon in London’s Bank Street Park using 3D-printed tiles, becoming the first fully machine-printed basketball surface in the world.
7. A different kind of rooftop court
When you think of a rooftop basketball court, you probably visualize one in the middle of a bustling city. But in Croatia, they’ve taken rooftop ball to a different level.
Sitting atop the historic city, Dubrovnik, this city wall rooftop court blends seamlessly with the architecture, following the shape of the stonewall on one side, and featuring incredible views on the other. Without doing too much, this court seems to still do a whole lot.
8. House of Mamba
Advertising company AQKA teamed up with Nike to design a full-sized LED basketball court in Shanghai, China, called ‘The House of Mamba.’
Taking inspiration from Kobe himself, the team wanted to make use of visual graphics on the floor, not just because it looks cool (though it really does), but more so to track players’ movements, speed, and drills on the court as a way to challenge athletes and understand their game even better.
9. The rainbow court
One of the most well known basketball courts in the world can be found in Ngau Chi Wan, Hong Kong. Although the basketball courts in this neighborhood feature simple colors, what truly makes this court one that many fans want to visit is its surroundings — the colorful sky-high backdrop of the Choi Hung Estate.
Banner images from Sébastien Michelini and PASHU on Instagram
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