FIBA is continuing to demonstrate its global leadership in transforming the sport through innovation, with the latest technology milestone set to be introduced at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 in partnership with Genius Sports.

Taking place in the Olympic Capital of Lausanne in Switzerland between June 28 and July 6, to make history as the first-ever FIBA event to fully integrate AI-driven technologies and will set the new first-class tech-standard for basketball competitions worldwide.

This latest innovation comes in the wake of FIBA having expanded its long-term strategic partnership with Genius Sports to deliver revolutionary computer vision technology and AI-powered capabilities. Not only for FIBA competitions and events, but also to various National Federations, Leagues and Clubs around the world for the next decade.

The FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup will be enhanced by:

• In-game optical tracking data for real-time player and team insights.

• Augmented broadcasts integrating live tracking data to deliver immersive viewing experiences for fans.

• Rich performance insights for coaches and players to optimise training and game strategies.

This technology is powered by GeniusIQ, Genius Sports’ next-generation sports data and AI platform that is set to transform the entire data and video ecosystem of international basketball, offering an entirely new dimension of data-driven storytelling in games for coaches, players, fans and broadcasters.

The implementation of the cutting-edge technology also confirms how FIBA global youth competitions can continue to be an exciting testing ground for future innovations, with this year’s evolution following on from the introduction of the ASB Glassfloor at the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2024.

These moves are not only serving to positively influence the sport’s dynamic evolution but are also a clear demonstration of FIBA delivering its “Sustainability and Innovation” strategic objective.

The introduction of the tech will provide multiple benefits for all stakeholders, and these are only likely to be strengthened even further as it evolves during the coming years. National Federations, Leagues and Clubs can look forward to an exciting new landscape in terms of fan engagement, providing an ideal opportunity to access potential new revenue streams.

Broadcasters will be able to provide an enhanced viewing experience for fans through augmented visuals and real-time data integration – something that makes games even more interactive and engaging for the viewers.

There are also many benefits in terms of coaching tools and data-driven decision-making for team development. The technology offers players and coaches deep performance insights, tactical analysis and fitness metrics to maximise potential and training efficiency.

FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis said: “The FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in Lausanne is not only a stage for the best young talent globally, but also a platform to showcase the evolution of our sport. With the support of Genius Sports, we are looking forward to showcasing these ground-breaking technologies.

“We believe that with these advancements, including fitness and player performance indicators, we have the potential to lead and transform the basketball ecosystem. Especially the way National Federations, Leagues and Clubs engage with the game – something that will create a range of new and exciting opportunities both on and off the court.”

Mark Locke, CEO of Genius Sports, said: “For more than two decades, the partnership between Genius Sports and FIBA has played a crucial role in advancing global basketball through premium data and fan engagement solutions. As the next phase of this collaboration reaches new heights at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, our innovative GeniusIQ-powered suite is set to elevate experiences for fans, coaches, broadcasters, players, and beyond.”