Sports flooring doesn’t score points but it wins games. When athletes perform at their best, they’re not just relying on skill and training – they’re trusting the surface beneath them.
The floor is the hidden hero of every slam dunk, serve, and sprint. From the polished hardwood of a basketball court to the resilient vinyl of a volleyball arena, the right floor is engineered for elite performance.
It cushions impact, reduces injury risk, and gives athletes the grip and stability they need to train and play with confidence at full speed.
Here we explore premium venues worldwide with a look at how the flooring affects peak performance.
The World’s Best Basketball Courts
Basketball is a big part of life for many people.
Every spring, the nation gets excited for NCAA March Madness.
And as summer begins, there’s the NBA Finals where the greatest talent competes.
But most fans never stop to think about what makes that level of competition possible.
The floor.
And although America has some of the finest basketball courts in the world, we’re taking a trip to Spain to look at one of the best basketball playing surfaces in the world.
The Embassy in Spain
One of the top places in the world where elite players go to train is The Embassy at the Higuerón Training Centre in Fuengirola, Spain.
Managed by two former professional players, this top facility hosts The Sanctuary, an annual NBA retreat by the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).
NBA stars like Jaylen Brown, Grant Williams, Boban Marjanović, and Bismack Biyombo have all trained here.
And the main reason they return (besides picturesque views of the sea) is the superb quality of the playing surface.
These basketball courts are constructed using the highest-performance maple and finished with a smooth, non-slip coating that elevates performance.
Built by Spanish construction firm Aitana ACS, the flooring supports intense training by absorbing shock, handling explosive movement, and delivering consistency with every step.
Just as basketball demands explosive bursts and lateral control, volleyball challenges players with vertical leaps and fast stops.
World-Class Volleyball in Brazil
In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, there’s a legendary arena called Maracanãzinho. This is the home of Brazil’s volleyball teams and one of the premiere venues for global competitions, including the Olympics and World Championships.
Maracanãzinho: The Heart of Brazilian Volleyball
Maracanãzinho is where many of the world’s best players come to compete, and it holds a special place in the heart of every volleyball fan.
But what makes it stand out besides the action on the court?
You guessed it. The flooring.
When people think about volleyball courts, they often imagine shiny wooden surfaces.
In fact, for years that’s exactly what the Maracanãzinho Arena had.
But things changed during the 2016 Summer Olympics. The court was upgraded with high-performance vinyl flooring from Gerflor, a brand known for elite-level sports surfaces
The shift from wood to vinyl was both aesthetic and strategic. Vinyl flooring offers players reliable grip, shock absorption, and resilience. This is why it’s a popular choice for high-impact sports like volleyball.
Today, more and more arenas around the world are choosing vinyl flooring for volleyball and multi-sport facilities because it’s tough, long-lasting, and made for high-level play.
While volleyball flooring needs to manage impact and spring, handball pushes the limits of lateral movement and ball speed in tighter confines.
Elite Handball in the U.S.
United States National Handball Center
The premier facility for handball in the United States is the United States National Handball Center in Hazelwood, Missouri.
This state-of-the-art venue officially opened on May 27, 2025. It marks a significant milestone for the sport, especially in the U.S.
The courts feature high-quality hardwood floors, some of which were salvaged from the previous location.
These floors are known for their excellent shock absorption and consistent ball bounce, which is essential for competitive play.
Like handball, squash demands fast reaction time and precision.
It also requires unrelenting endurance from longer rallies and sustained footwork
Pro Squash in the U.S.
Arlen Specter US Squash Center
The premier squash facility in the United States is the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Opened in 2021, this facility is the national headquarters of US Squash and is recognized as the country’s largest squash complex.
The courts utilize elite-grade maple sprung wood flooring, installed by Endurance Flooring, the official partner of US Squash. This high-performance system is made for…
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Outstanding shock absorption
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Consistent ball bounce and grip
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Durability that can withstand thousands of elite-level matches and daily training
These courts debuted at the 2024 US Open where players praised the consistency and ball responsiveness.
Want Championship-Ready Floors?
A high-performance sports floor sets the stage for every memory of sports greatness and every championship.
From pro basketball courts in Spain to Olympic volleyball venues in Brazil, elite athletes depend on flooring that delivers safety, speed, and support.
And the same standards apply to amateur athletes.
Whether you’re managing a school gym, training facility, or commercial athletic space, the right floor is essential.
At Panel Town, we can help you install and refinish premium-grade sports surfaces.
From hardwood to resilient surfaces, we offer sport-specific solutions that meet the demands of serious athletes.
Get in touch and let’s talk about your sports flooring project!
