Major revision of sports facility standards to align with international norms and create a win situation for all sides
The former Sports Administration (SA, now the Ministry of Sports) announced on August 28th the updated “Reference Manual for Sports Facility Standards and Grading and Classification”. The manual contains facility standards for 42 types of sports venues, and includes field dimensions, material specifications, lighting standards, safety protection. It also provides venue classifications and grading based on different levels of sports event. The manual serves as a reference for government agencies, schools at all levels, and sports practitioners to ensure that sports facilities meet safety and functional requirements, while promoting professionalism and standardization in Taiwan’s sports facility establishment and management.
The former SA pointed out that since the manual’s initial publication in 2018, it has been widely affirmed and used. However, after more than seven years, as international standards continue to evolve with the rapid development of emerging sports, an update was necessary. The former SA thus commissioned the Taiwan Society for Sport Management to revise the manual, adding three sports popular with the young—roller skating, breaking, and surfing—and adjusting certain facility standards following the 2024 Paris Olympics. All revisions reference the latest standards of major international sports organizations and international competitions, while also considering Taiwan’s local sports environment; this ensures Taiwan’s sports facilities align with international norms while matching local development needs. The updated manual will provide local governments with standards for reference when planning and designing new or renovated sports facilities, implementing the goals of professionalization and standardization.
For example, in terms of facility standards for emerging sports in which Taiwan’s athletes have recently excelled, such as roller skating and breaking, roller skating (Roller Sports) standards follow World Skate regulations, which stipulate track length, width, curve radius, surface material, flatness, and friction according to the latest international requirements. Breaking standards follow the World DanceSport Federation’s regulations, detailing the latest international specifications for competition area dimensions, flooring materials, vibration absorption rate, sliding coefficient, lighting, display screens, etc.
The former SA expressed its gratitude for the support of related sports associations during the revision process; they actively helped gather the latest international facility standards and conducted reviews of the manual’s text, data and diagrams, ensuring accuracy and completeness. The updated manual will be published on the SA’s (Now the Ministry of Sports) website for public reference. The new Ministry of Sports was established on September 9, and it is hoped that through collective efforts, Taiwan can improve the professionalism of domestic sports venues and enhance the sports environment and safety overall.