Frontgrid, an expert in adventure leisure and virtual reality attractions and the creator of ParadropVR, has announced the installation of three ParadropVR Pod units at the newly opened Sparkx Sportainment Park in Ghent — the second location for Belgium’s rapidly expanding sportainment brand.
The new Ghent venue, spanning 4,800 square meters, offers more than fifty sports, including motorcycle racing, ice hockey, and immersive paragliding with ParadropVR, which blends motion-based engineering with immersive, gamified content to deliver a self-controlled flying experience in virtual reality.
Frontgrid CEO Matt Wells says: “ParadropVR is such a perfect fit for the venue and Sparkx, which is on a mission to support the well-being of generations by bringing people and sport together with fun and innovative experiences.”
A gamified experience
Sparkx, which opened its first park in Hasselt in 2023, has already drawn over 300,000 visitors and is transforming active leisure through its blend of sports, gaming, and technology. Each Sparkx park integrates physical activity with digital gamification.
“We are proud to have been part of the first Sparkx park in Hasselt, where ParadropVR Pod has already proven to be a popular experience with guests,” says Wells. “We are delighted to partner with them again for this second opening in Ghent, and we are excited about the trajectory they are on with their further ambitions.”
The new park features three ParadropVR Pods that provide an exciting, gamified flying experience. Players feel like they are paragliding over breathtaking virtual landscapes, adjusting their descent speed and flight path with physical movements. With real-time scoring and options for solo or multiplayer play, the ParadropVR Pod is a proven favourite that complements Sparkx’s tech-driven sports selection.
The ParadropVR units are set up to be activated by an RFID wristband. Participants wear the wristband to identify themselves as they move around the venue. This allows their scores and performance to be collected and combined into an overall leaderboard.
Fun for all ages
Wells, who attended the opening event on 3 July, said it was great to see people of all ages, from children to parents and grandparents, enjoying the park and the thrilling flying experience ParadropVR offers – providing them with a highly sophisticated motion-based experience they couldn’t get at home.
“This is more than just another venue — it’s a vision of the future. Sportainment is booming across Europe, and Frontgrid is excited to be a small part of that evolution.
“With ParadropVR, we’re helping to make adventure sport more immersive, accessible, and exciting for the next generation of visitors. And with the opportunity to compete against your friends and track your score on a global online league, the installation offers a fresh perspective on competitive socialising.”
Sparkx combines AR simulators, esports, and VR extreme sports within its parks, offering a diverse range of experiences, from virtual dodgeball (HADO) to wingsuit flying simulators. Focused on mental and physical well-being, the venues aim to encourage lifelong engagement with sport. Planning to expand across Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, Sparkx leads Europe’s sportainment sector, with Frontgrid’s ParadropVR at its heart.
Earlier this month, Frontgrid celebrated the launch of Niagara Virtual, the world’s first location-based flying (LBF) experience over Niagara Falls.
