Section 3: Playing Area
Competition venues must meet FIG requirements as outlined in the FIG Technical Regulations. The competition area (competition floor) must accommodate all apparatus with required safety zones, warm-up areas, judges' tables, and access corridors.
Competition Hall Requirements
Per FIG Technical Regulations, the following minimum ceiling heights are required above apparatus:
- Horizontal Bar (MAG): Minimum 8 m (26 ft 3 in) clear ceiling height above the floor.
- Uneven Bars (WAG): Minimum 7 m (22 ft 11.6 in) clear ceiling height.
- Trampoline events: Minimum 8–10 m (26–33 ft) clear ceiling height depending on event level.
- For all other apparatus (vault, beam, floor, pommel horse, rings, parallel bars): Minimum 6 m (19 ft 8 in) ceiling height recommended, though 8 m preferred.
Safety Zones and Landing Areas
Each apparatus must be surrounded by landing mats. FIG specifies minimum mat dimensions and placement:
- Landing mats: The standard competition landing mat (crash mat) must be at least 0.20 m (7.9 in) thick. Mats used for vaulting must be at least 0.20 m thick and 1.80 m × 1.20 m in surface area (minimum). Additional padding ("throw mats") of at least 0.10 m thickness may be added.
- Vault landing: The landing area beyond the vault table must be at least 6 m long from the front edge of the table, 2 m wide, covered by a landing mat. A soft/safety mat of at least 0.20 m thickness must be positioned immediately beyond the table.
- Floor exercise boundary: The spring floor is 12 m × 12 m. A safety border of at least 1 m on all four sides must be provided. Stepping outside the 12 m × 12 m boundary during a routine results in a penalty (see Section 7).
- Beam: Mats must be placed on all sides and ends of the balance beam. End mats must extend at least 2 m beyond each end of the beam.
- Horizontal Bar / Uneven Bars: Mats must cover the entire area beneath and around the bar(s), with a minimum of 2 m clear landing area on the dismount side.
Apparatus Placement and Spacing
In major FIG competitions (World Championships, Olympic Games), apparatus must be arranged to allow simultaneous competition on multiple events. The FIG Technical Delegate approves the final apparatus layout. Minimum clearances between adjacent apparatus and between apparatus and walls/structures are defined in the FIG Competition Regulations for each event type.
The warm-up area (podium training area) must replicate the competition setup with identical approved apparatus. At Olympic Games and World Championships, the FIG requires a separate competition podium (raised platform) arrangement for artistic gymnastics events. The podium height is typically 0.08–0.15 m (3–6 in) and must be constructed of stable, load-bearing material.
Lighting
Competition venue lighting must provide uniform illumination of at least 1,500 lux at apparatus level for televised FIG World Championships and Olympic Games, as specified in the FIG Competition Organization Manual. Adequate lighting must prevent shadows on the apparatus or landing areas that could impair judging or athlete safety.