ANTA Unveils the World’s First “Basketball Arena” Flagship Store in Shenzhen — A Dialogue of Athletic Spirit Across Time
Preface
Following the surprise debut of its Olympic Palace-themed flagship store in Beijing’s Wangfujing, ANTA—the leading brand in professional sportswear—has once again joined forces with STILL YOUNG for a bold new collaboration: the world’s first “Basketball Arena” concept store, now open in Shenzhen’s Uniworld. More than a retail destination, the ANTA ARENA is a time-transcending space that channels the spirit of athleticism—igniting in every visitor the drive to push limits and pursue excellence.
Spanning over 2,000 square meters across two levels, the space is more than a new flagship store—it’s an arena where ancient Greek athletic heritage converges with modern sports culture. Embarking visitors on an immersive Olympic journey, it pays homage to the passion for sport, the allure of athletic competition, and the enduring ideals of Olympism.
01 Capturing Moments: A Vivid Canvas of Athletics
From ancient Greece—the cradle of athletic civilization—arose the ideals of Olympism: freedom, equality, and peace.
Rooted in ANTA’s brand narrative, the design distills the themes of Olympic heritage, professional athletics, and technological innovation—tracing the origins of the Olympic spirit back to ancient Greece. This reflection inspires the spatial vision of an “Epic Arena,” where athletic sculptures, modular display systems, and layered sensory experiences create an immersive environment—in which ancient athletic ideals and contemporary sport culture converge.
The store facade, anchored by athletic sculptures and Doric columns, evokes a dialogue between the past and present while subtly softening the visual rigidity of repetitive column structures. From a distance, shifting athletic gestures leap into view, transforming the two-level elevation into a vivid canvas that captures the spirit of athleticism. The continuous, sculptural rhythm creates an open and compelling atmosphere, pulsing with the vibrant energy of athletic competition.
A Dialogue Between Past and Present:
Celebrating the Enduring Allure of Athletic Spirit
Set between soft-toned marble frames, the emblems of ANTA and its sub-brands—ANTA SNEAKERVERSE and ANTA GUANJUN—are seamlessly integrated into the facade’s structural rhythm. Subtle yet striking, these visual elements echo the strength and beauty inherent to both the brand and the world of athletic competition.
02 Dual Experience: Flexible Transition Between Arena and Retail
The Eternal Flame: A Beacon of the Olympic Spirit
At the heart of the store stands a sculptural installation ablaze with symbolic fire—evoking the enduring glow of the Olympic flame. Structural elements inspired by ancient Greek columns appear throughout the space, while rings of dynamic light reinterpret the flame’s energy, echoing the narrative of an “Arena.” The dramatic sequencing of structural rhythms evokes the grandeur of ancient Roman amphitheaters, while ascending steps symbolize ANTA’s brand spirit of relentless energy and unceasing drive.
Beyond Victory and Defeat: A Space Where Sports Culture Meets Social Energy
Rather than dismantling the mall’s original basketball court, the design preserves and reimagines it as the visual centerpiece of the space—bringing the energetic atmosphere of a sports arena to life. This shift in ambiance is expressed through a series of symbolic elements that bridge the individual and the collective, as well as the historical and the contemporary: sweeping arcs inspired by Athens’ Olympic venues soar toward the atrium ceiling; laurel wreaths encircle the court; and LED strip screens animate the scene with scoring updates and kinetic visuals—immersing visitors in an engaging sports arena experience.
The basketball court is deliberately divided to deliver a dual experience—functioning both as a professional competition arena and an everyday retail environment. This broadens the store’s versatility, enabling it to serve as a fully equipped arena for ANTA-hosted sporting events, as well as a vibrant social hub for sports enthusiasts. With space as a medium and sport as inspiration, the design forges meaningful connections among the brand, audience, athletes, and sports—powerfully embodying ANTA’s embrace of Olympic values and athletic culture.
In addition, the design thoughtfully responds to the commercial needs of a retail environment through movable, modular display fixtures that organically embody the brand identity and athletic spirit. Around the perimeter, the space is strategically organized into dedicated zones for men’s, women’s, and children’s collections, along with fitting rooms, shower facilities, and athlete prep areas. The corridor leading to the back area is enlivened with dynamic, sculptural reliefs, enriching the shopping experience with engaging storytelling.
03 Ascending to Glory: The Brilliance of Ancient Athletic Spirit
Be an explorer.
Wander through the ancient ruins of Greece.
Ascend the steps of civilization,
and feel the ancients’ relentless pursuit of strength and speed.
With reverence and passion,
we journey from the glory of Olympia
to the elevated spirit of modern athletic competition.
Beside the central atrium lies a carefully choreographed zone that seamlessly integrates the cashier’s counter with a traffic hub. Inspired by the historic ruins of ancient Greece, the design immerses visitors in a journey through time. It continues the structural rhythm of the space, with wayfinding signage thoughtfully positioned at the base of the staircase to gently guide both movement and gaze. Weathered stone textures envelop the area, evoking the patina of time, while the soft white glow of stretch ceiling maintains cohesion with the overall design language.
04 New Trend: Crafting a Modern Sports Arena
Breaking the Shackles: Deconstructing the Boundary Between Classic and Modern
ANTA SNEAKERVERSE is a sub-brand rooted in street fashion culture. Its display area continues the visual identity of its “Black Label” concept stores, enveloped in a dark palette. Its iconic logo breaks through layered classical frames, surging through space with irresistible momentum. It stretches across the ceiling in a gesture of infinite extension, engaging in a dynamic dialogue with the spatial configuration. Overlapping, twisting frames break the rigid rules of traditional symmetry and order. Here, the interplay between the depth of classical civilization and the dynamism of modern fashion creates a powerful visual tension that transcends time and space.
Across the Mountain Ridges: Merging Nature’s Power with Cultural Inheritance
ANTA GUANJUN is a high-performance line tailored to elite outdoor adventurers. Here, spatial design intertwines the Olympic ideals of ancient Greece with the spirit of Chinese mountain-and-water culture. Inspired by the golden glow of sunlit Meili Snow Mountain, the ceiling becomes a sacred silhouette of ridgelines. Below, the art installation’s dynamic rippling patterns evoke the dynamism of flowing water. With a subtle inversion, the mountain forms morph into a metropolitan skyline—symbolizing the fusion of nature and cityscape.
Venturing deeper into the space, visitors are suddenly immersed in a breathtaking realm of snow-capped mountains. Towering waterfalls and sheer cliffs wrap around central columns, while the Kunlun Mountains rise in the background, evoking the sacred majesty of the natural world.
Within this expansive 2,000-square-meter arena, ANTA and STILL YOUNG have crafted not only an epic scroll of athletics across time, but also a powerful resonance of spirit. This ANTA flagship store narrates, in its unique language, a tale of challenge, transcendence, and legacy. Here, every piece of stone, every beam of light, and every racing heartbeat pay tribute to the enduring spirit of athleticism.
As the ancient Olympic flame meets modern technology, the living legacy of sports culture and the unique charm of athletic civilization shine on. Together with ANTA, we continue the journey—ever forward.
Design team: ANTA Space Creative, STILL YOUNG
Photography: Yuuuun Studio
