As one of Europe’s most successful hockey clubs – with five Swedish championship titles, four CHL victories, and a record number of NHL-drafted players – Frölunda HC is constantly looking for improvements that can give the team a competitive edge. During a major renovation of its facilities in Frölundaborg, the club chose to install Biocentric lighting from BrainLit – a deliberate, research-driven decision grounded in both science and practical experience.
Ahead of the renovation, it became clear that the lighting in the club’s facilities was far from optimal: outdated fluorescent tubes and generally dim environments.
When renovation planning began, Biocentric lighting became the obvious choice. Frölunda connected with BrainLit early on and was inspired by other clubs, including the Malmö Redhawks, who had already implemented Biocentric lighting.
– We visited clubs that had already installed Biocentric lighting, and we were convinced. We believe every small detail that helps our players and staff feel more alert, refreshed, and prepared is worth investing in, says Fredrik Sjöström, Sports Director, Frölunda HC.
Thoughtful Integration of Biocentric Lighting
For Frölunda, the renovation was an opportunity to think bigger. It wasn’t just about updated surfaces and new layouts – it was about creating an environment engineered for performance, recovery, and overall well-being.
Biocentric lighting was installed in strategically important spaces:
– Locker rooms
– Player lounge
– Coaches’ rooms
– Performance team offices
– Rehab areas
– We thoroughly reviewed the spaces we spend the most time in, and over time we may add more installations, says Fredrik Sjöström. He adds that ceiling and pendant luminaires were installed with special attention to office areas and social spaces where players and staff spend time before and after training.
With a clear vision and values that highlight supporters, players, staff, and the collective effort that moves the club forward, investing in the right lighting was a natural part of a long-term strategy.
– We want everyone in the club to feel well and have the conditions they need to perform.
The renovation wasn’t a quick decision – planning took more than a year, covering everything from materials and interior design to detailed light planning. Fredrik Sjöström played a leading role, working closely with the project management team.
– This is an investment in the whole environment – acoustics, interiors, colors, and lighting all need to work together. Everything should be top-notch, he says.
Construction was scheduled during the summer training period to minimize disruption.
The reactions from players and staff have been clear and positive.
– The light is incredibly crisp. You can feel yourself waking up, and it makes a huge difference in how the facilities feel. We’re seeing more energy and better focus,” says Fredrik Sjöström, who hopes to follow long-term improvements in alertness, recovery, and consistent energy levels throughout the day – all of which are crucial for elite athletes, where every percentage counts.
Biocentric Lighting for optimal training environments all day long
For elite athletes, sleep loss has major negative effects on performance. With Biocentric lighting, the training environment can be aligned with the body’s natural circadian rhythm, which improves both sleep quality and performance.
– Light is the body’s most important tool for regulating alertness, energy, and recovery. With Biocentric lighting, we can synchronize the environment with the players’ biological rhythm and give them optimal conditions for performance, recovery, and health. Frölunda HC now joins several clubs across Sweden, the NHL, and the English Premier League that have invested in evidence-based lighting, says Christoffer Flotow, Sales Area Manager at BrainLit, who collaborated closely with Frölunda HC and the installation team to ensure a smooth process from start to finish.
– We developed a lighting design tailored to how each room is actually used, with a well-balanced mix of general lighting, task lighting, and accents. The result is a dynamic, comfortable environment that supports focus, recovery, and well-being – exactly the type of competitive advantage top clubs are looking for, says Christoffer.
A bright future for Frölunda HC
Frölunda sees the investment in Biocentric lighting as part of a long-term strategy to give players and staff the best possible conditions. In a competitive landscape where all teams have strong coaching, nutrition, and logistics, small details become significant. With Biocentric lighting, Frölunda HC has taken another step in the right direction, Fredrik Sjöström finishes concludes:
– We need to find those small details that make us a little bit better – in how we prepare, how we train, and by investing in the right lighting environment for both preparation and recovery.