What is Outdoor Sports Lighting?
Outdoor sports lighting is a specialized type of illumination used for sports fields and arenas to ensure optimal visibility during games and practices. This lighting is essential for the safety and performance of athletes, allowing them to clearly see the playing area and any moving objects, such as balls or other players. The lighting must be sufficiently bright for clear vision, but it should avoid causing glare or casting shadows that could disrupt play.
What Kind of Lights Are Used for Outdoor Sports Fields?
This depends on several factors like the specific sport being played, the size of the field, and the level of play (recreational vs. professional). For instance, a professional soccer field will have different lighting requirements than a community baseball diamond.
Advancements in LED technology and increasing emphasis on energy efficiency have made LED lights a preferred choice for many new installations and upgrades.
When it comes to outdoor sports lighting, the fixtures used should be weather-resistant and able to withstand conditions like rain, wind, and temperature changes. It's also important to consider the impact of the lighting on the surrounding area and to position the lights in a way that minimizes light pollution.
We use outdoor sports lights that are IP66 Rated to withstand any harsh weather condition. These lights come in a variety of different watts, lumens, color temperature, and beam angles to cover a wide variety of individual needs.
We also use LED flood lights with sufficient power either in conjunction or as an alternative to our specialized LED sports lighting fixtures to ensure adequate illumination.
Outdoor Sports Lighting Design
Here’s an example of 13 850 watt LED outdoor sports lights per pole projecting 166,000 lumens. These were used to illuminate a college soccer field at an average of 30.2 footcandles. This photometric lighting plan was designed by our outdoor sports lighting engineers.
Sports lighting requirements can vary significantly based on several factors, including the level of play (recreational, semi-professional, professional), the location of the field (indoor or outdoor), and the governing body or association standards; however, there are general lighting standards that can be applied to ensure players, referees, and spectators have the visibility they need for an enjoyable and safe game.
Here is a breakdown of typical soccer field lighting requirements:
- Recreational or Training Fields:
- Illuminance Level: 200-300 lx
- Uniformity Ratio: 0.5
- Purpose: Suitable for training, amateur matches, and recreational play where there is little to no spectator interest and no broadcasting.
- Club Competition Fields:
- Illuminance Level: 300-500 lx
- Uniformity Ratio: 0.6
- Purpose: Suitable for club-level competitions where the audience consists of club members and local residents.
- Semi-Professional Fields:
- Illuminance Level: 500-750 lx
- Uniformity Ratio: 0.7
- Purpose: Suitable for regional or semi-professional matches where the audience is larger and may include paying spectators.
- Professional Fields (Non-Televised):
- Illuminance Level: 750-1200 lx
- Uniformity Ratio: 0.8
- Purpose: Suitable for professional level matches with significant spectator attendance, but not for television broadcasting.
- Professional Fields (Televised, Non-HD):
- Illuminance Level: 1200-1400 lx
- Uniformity Ratio: 0.8
- Purpose: Suitable for professional matches that will be broadcast on standard-definition television.
- Professional Fields (Televised, HD):
- Illuminance Level: 1400-2000 lx or more
- Uniformity Ratio: 0.8 or higher
- Purpose: Suitable for top-level professional matches that will be broadcast in high-definition. The higher lux level ensures that the playing surface appears bright and clear on HD television.
Outdoor Sports Lighting Applications
There are a wide variety of sports lighting applications. This includes but is not limited to the following,
Outdoor Sports Lighting Requirements
Outdoor sports lighting requirements are essential standards that ensure optimal visibility, safety, and performance for athletes, officials, and spectators during nighttime or low-light conditions. While these requirements can vary depending on the specific sport, region, and whether the venue is intended for professional, collegiate, or recreational use, here are some general guidelines:
Illuminance Levels: Different sports require different levels of illuminance. For instance, a professional baseball outfield may need around 200-500 lux, while a tennis court might require between 500-750 lux. The required lux level also varies based on whether it's for training, amateur competitions, or professional matches.
Uniformity Ratio: Uniform lighting ensures that there are no dark spots on the field, court, or track. Uniformity is described in terms of ratios, with many sports aiming for a uniformity ratio of around 1.5:1 to 3:1, meaning the brightest spot is only 1.5 to 3 times brighter than the dimmest spot.
Glare Control: Lighting should minimize glare for both players and spectators. Glare can affect a player's performance and a spectator's viewing experience.
Directionality: Lights should be placed in a manner where shadows are minimized. This is crucial in sports like baseball or soccer, where shadows can affect players' perception of the ball.
Flicker Rate: Especially important in sports being broadcast on television, the lights need to have a flicker rate compatible with TV cameras to prevent any flickering effect on the screen.
Color Rendering Index (CRI): A high CRI is preferred as it means the light source can reproduce the colors of objects faithfully in comparison to an ideal or natural light source.
Safety: The lighting fixtures should be securely installed to prevent accidents. Additionally, there should be adequate emergency lighting.
Environmental Considerations: Lighting designs should consider reducing light pollution and trespass. This means directing the light where it's needed and preventing it from spilling into the night sky or neighboring areas.
Energy Efficiency: Modern sports venues often opt for LED lighting solutions due to their energy efficiency, longer lifespan, and better light quality.
Maintenance: Outdoor sports lighting fixtures should be durable and easy to maintain. They should also have a resistance to varying weather conditions.
Adherence to Codes and Standards: Different regions or sports organizations might have specific codes or standards for outdoor sports lighting. For instance, in the U.S., standards set by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) or the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) might apply.
It's crucial for venues and organizations to consult with lighting professionals when designing or upgrading their sports lighting to ensure they meet all necessary standards and requirements for their specific use-case.
Why Use LED Sports Lights?
Using LED sports lights brings a plethora of benefits for both players and spectators as well as for the management of sports facilities.
Energy Efficiency: LED lights consume significantly less energy than traditional lighting systems, such as high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps. This can translate into substantial energy savings, often reducing energy consumption by 50%-80%.
Longevity: LEDs have a longer operational life, often exceeding 100,000 hours. Their light output degrades very slowly over time, ensuring consistent lighting performance throughout their lifespan. This reduces the frequency of replacements and, subsequently, maintenance costs.
Improved Lighting Quality: LED sports lights offer uniform light distribution, ensuring consistent illumination across a field or court. Unlike traditional HID fixtures, which can create unevenly lit areas, LEDs maintain a consistent brightness throughout the playing surface, enhancing the visibility for players and the viewing experience for spectators.
Flexible Color Temperature: LEDs are available in a range of color temperatures, which allows for the tuning of lighting to improve the visual perception of brightness. This flexibility can make the field or court appear more vibrant and clear.
Instant On/Off: Unlike some traditional lights that take time to warm up, LEDs light up instantly to their full brightness. This is especially beneficial during events that require immediate full illumination after a brief interruption.
Environmentally Friendly: LEDs do not contain hazardous materials like mercury, which is found in some traditional lighting systems. They also emit less heat, reducing the strain on cooling systems in indoor arenas.
Cost Savings: While the initial investment in LED lighting might be higher, the long-term benefits of reduced energy consumption and lower maintenance costs often result in a quick return on investment.
Better Glare Control: Modern LED sports lighting systems are designed to reduce glare, which can be distracting or even dangerous for both players and spectators.
Less Light Pollution: LED fixtures are designed to direct light where it's needed, which means less light spill into the surrounding environment. This is beneficial for facilities near residential areas or in regions where minimizing light pollution is a priority.
Enhanced Fan Experience: With the right LED system, venues can create dynamic light shows and effects, enhancing the overall fan experience during games or events.
LED sports lighting systems not only ensure optimal playing conditions but also translate into economic and environmental benefits. Their adoption is a forward-looking decision for any sports facility aiming for modernity, efficiency, and sustainability.