Basketball Court Lighting

What is Basketball Court Lighting?

Basketball court lighting refers to the specialized illumination used for both indoor and outdoor basketball courts, ensuring optimal visibility, safety, and gameplay experience. The right lighting setup is essential for players to clearly discern the ball, the court's boundaries, the basket, and other players, irrespective of whether it's a friendly pick-up game or a competitive match. Proper lighting helps enhance the overall gameplay experience while minimizing shadows and preventing glare, which is especially crucial in making accurate shots and dribble maneuvers.

What Kind of Lights Are Used for Basketball Courts?

For indoor basketball courts, you can use either UFO high bay lights or linear high bay lights. These lights are often used in conjunction with a wire-guard accessory to protect the light from the basketball on courts with lower ceiling heights.

For outdoor basketball courts, you’ll want to use LED sports lights or LED flood lights with sufficient power to illuminate the area.

Professional Basketball Court Lighting Design

Here’s an example of a 3D tennis court lighting photometric design constructed by our professional lighting engineers. In this example, an LED conversion was done for a half sized basketball court, a tennis court, and a playground. A total of seven 300W area lights were used with 30 ft high poles.

Basketball Court Lighting Requirements

The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) provides recommendations for sports lighting, including basketball, in its publication "IES RP-6-15: Sports and Recreational Area Lighting". The specific requirements or recommendations for basketball lighting will depend on the level of play and whether the court is located indoors or outdoors.

Here's a general breakdown of the IES guidelines for basketball lighting:

Indoor Courts:
Recreational Play: Around 300 lux (approximately 30 foot-candles).

Intermediate Play (e.g., high school, training facilities): 500 lux (approximately 50 foot-candles).

Professional Play (e.g., national competitions, televised events): 750 lux to 1500 lux (approximately 70 to 150 foot-candles) or more.

Outdoor Basketball Courts:
Recreational Play: 200 lux (approximately 20 foot-candles).

Intermediate Play: 300 lux (approximately 30 foot-candles).

Professional Play: 500 lux (approximately 50 foot-candles) or more.

Uniformity: The recommended uniformity ratio might differ based on the level of play but generally is around a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio (maximum to minimum brightness).

Glare Control: Especially important for basketball, as players often look upward towards the basket. Lighting fixtures should be designed and positioned to minimize glare for players and spectators.

Color Rendering Index (CRI): High CRI values are beneficial as they ensure colors are displayed more accurately, enhancing visibility and player perception.

Control of Spill Light and Light Pollution: For outdoor courts, especially in residential areas, it's important to control spill light to minimize disturbances to neighboring properties.

Durability: Given that basketballs can hit lights, especially in indoor settings, it's essential to choose durable fixtures that can withstand occasional impacts.

Indoor Basketball Court Lighting

When it comes to indoor basketball court lighting, the aim is to provide uniform, intense illumination that eradicates shadows and mitigates glare. The entirety of the court, including the hoops, the three-point lines, and even the benches, needs to be brilliantly lit. LED lights are the preferred choice for their energy efficiency, prolonged lifespan, superior light quality, and minimal heat generation.

The playing surface must be illuminated sufficiently to guarantee that the ball, the free-throw lines, and other markings are unmistakably visible. The color rendering index (CRI) of the lights is another crucial aspect to consider. CRI evaluates how authentically a light source reveals colors. For basketball courts, a high CRI is beneficial as it ensures players can quickly distinguish team jerseys and track the ball's movement accurately.

We offer lighting solutions for indoor basketball courts that are safeguarded against dust. They come equipped with a unique lens that disperses the light effectively, ensuring brightness without hindering players' visibility. These fixtures are frequently labeled as LED UFO High Bays or LED linear high bays

Outdoor Basketball Court Lighting

Outdoor basketball courts necessitate detailed lighting strategies. It's vital to position lights in a way that minimizes shadows and glare, both of which can hinder visibility. High-intensity floodlights are commonly used to brighten the courts for evening or nighttime games.

The precise lighting criteria for a basketball court can hinge on various aspects, such as the dimensions of the court, the court's intended use (recreational or competitive), and any pertinent local rules or norms. Therefore, engaging with a seasoned lighting designer or a knowledgeable court manager is recommended when arranging lighting for an outdoor basketball court.

We offer lights for outdoor basketball courts that boast an IP66 rating, ensuring they can withstand the elements. These lighting fixtures are commonly known as LED sports lights, LED flood lights, or LED area lights.